Marco Cimillo PhD

Associate Professor

Marco Cimillo is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and is currently serving as Associate Dean of L&T of the Design School, Chair of the University Curriculum Review Panel, and Deputy Chair of the University L&T Committee.

He was awarded his Master’s Degree in Architecture and his PhD in Environmental Design by Sapienza University of Rome, and is also a fully registered architect, a LEED Green Associate and a member of IBPSA (International Performance Simulation Association) and SITdA (Italian Society of Technology of Architecture).
Before joining XJTLU in August 2016, he carried out research and teaching activities at Northumbria University in Newcastle, at Sapienza University and the Italian National Institute of Architecture in Rome and the University of Camerino in Ascoli Piceno. Furthermore, he was a visiting lecturer at Polis University in Tirana and taught numerous CDP courses for the Architect’s Board of Rome and other Italian institutions. In Italy, he also worked with several architecture firms as a designer and as a consultant.

Among other research activities, he was P.I. of the research project "Developing an Energy Building Stock Model for Jiangsu Province", carried out in collaboration with the University of Liverpool and the Italian National Research Council; Faculty Lead of Y-project for Solar Decathlon China 2021, developed in collaboration with Zhejiang University, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, and the National Bamboo and Rattan Organization; Principle Supervisor of three PhD candidates.


  • PhD , Sapienza University of Rome, 2011
  • 5-Year Master of Architecture, Sapienza University of Rome, 2006


  • Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching, School of Design, XJTLU, 2020-present
  • Programme Director, BEng Architecture, Department of Architecture and Design, XJTLU, 2018-2020
  • Organisational Chair, International Conference Architecture Across Boundaries, XJTLU, 2019


  • Sustainabiliy, Energy efficiency, Passive design, Building simulation


  • Tucci, F., Cecafosso, V., Cimillo, M., Pedata, L., Santucci, D. (2019), Green Economy, Urban Development, City Legacy: a possible future dialectic in Italy publication date Dec 2019, In: Abitare la Terra. Rivista di Geoarchitettura | Dwelling on Earth. Journal of Geoarchitecture, Suppl. 3 n. 50, p. 75. ISSN: 1592-8608
  • Tucci F, Battisti A., Cimillo M., Calcerano F., 2015 'Natural ventilation and passive cooling for energy efficiency of residential buildings in Mediterranean climate', CSE - CITY SAFETY ENERGY, 1-2015


  • Ku, K & Cimillo, M, 2022, Managing complexity: Design development of an innovative membrane based double-skin envelope. in MF Hvejsel, PJS Cruz (eds.) Structures and Architecture: A Viable Urban Perspective?. CRC Press.
  • Loehlein, G., Cimillo, M. “Future of Convents - The Repurposing of the Complex of St Francis in Reute Bad Waldsee in Germany.” In: H. Griffin (ed.), AMPS Proceedings Series 20.1. Connections: Exploring Heritage, Architecture, Cities, Art, Media. University of Kent, UK. 29 – 30 June (2020). pp. 9-16. ISSN 2398-9467
  • Cimillo, M., Calcerano F., Chen X., Chow D., Gigliarelli E., Energy Modelling and Retrofit of the Residential Building Stock of Jiangsu Province, Proceedings of the International Conference: "Architecture Across Boundaries", Suzhou, China, 19-21 June 2019, KNE social sciences publishing, ISSN: 2518-668X
  • Ruggero R., Periccioli M., Ridolfi L., Cimillo M., Viviani N., (2015) IACP 2.0 In: International Conference of Architecture: Living the Future, pp. 1380-1390, ISBN 978-88-84-97-544-7
  • Dierna S., Tucci F., Cipriani F., Cimillo M., Cecafosso V., Morleo R.M., (2013) An environmentally conformed settlement in Salve (Lecce, Italy) a model of bioclimatic approach, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in the Mediterranean Sea. In: 3rd Annual International Conference on Architecture. Athens Institute for Education and Research, ISSN 2241-2891


  • Tucci, F., Cimillo, M., Giampaoletti, M., Ruocco A., (eds.). (2021), Emergent housing: Il quadro internazionale della sperimentazione, metodologie di simulazione - The international framework of experimentation, simulation methodologies, Altralinea Edizioni
  • Cimillo, M., (2013) I sistemi passivi nella valutazione energetica degli edifici. Applicazioni delle simulazioni dinamiche nella progettazione e nella certificazione energetica, Edizioni Accademiche Italiane


  • Cimillo, M 2021, Studio comparato sulle prestazioni energetiche di quattro tipologie residenziali ad Atrio nei climi europei. in F Tucci (ed.), Adaptive Design: Solar and bioclimatic spaces in Architecture. Altralinea Edizioni.
  • Cimillo, M & Diez, M (2021), Studio comparato di modellazione fluidodinamica degli Atrii Bioclimatici di quattro tipologie edilizie residenziali. in Adaptive Design. Altralinea Edizioni.


  • Cimillo, M., 2022, Balancing innovation and risk – A collaborative experiment in green building between academia and industry (Keynot Speech), GBCESC2022 International Conference on Green Building, Civil Engineering and Smart City 24/07/22 - 27/07/22 Guilin, China
  • Touchstone, E., Cimillo, M., 2022 Solar Decathlon China International, interdisciplinary and industrial collaboration, 2022 BSIS Symposium: Societal Impact: Maximising Relevance and Reach 17/05/22 - 19/05/22
  • Cimillo, M., (2021), A net-zero energy prototype in China, BASES Benessere Ambientale Sostenibilita Energia Salute, Rome, 2/12/21 - 3/12/21
  • Touchstone, E., Cimillo, M., Pellegrini, P., Chen, X., Jin, M., (2021) Working on sustainability across the curriculum and across borders: The case study of Climathon @XJTLU and the Y-Project's entry in the Solar Decathlon China 2021, Responsible Management Education Research Conference 8: Poverty and Prosperity: Implications for Advancing the SDGS, 2030 Agenda and Responsible Management Education in a Post-Pandemic World, Suzhou, 19/10/21 - 22/10/21
  • Cimillo, M., (2021) Solar Decathlon China 2021: Adaptive Building Envelope (Panel Discussion), Design Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 12/10/21 - 23/10/21
  • Cimillo M., 2017, Flexibility for Adaptation & Resilience, IBEE conference 201 “Achieving Excellence” Contribution, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
  • Cimillo, M., 2020, A Simulation-based Study on Passive Energy Retrofit Scenarios for Residential Buildings in China’s Jiangsu Province, publication description 2020 KIEAE International Symposium, Seoul, South Korea
  • Loehlein, G., Cimillo, M., 2020, Future of Convents: The repurposing of St. Francis Convent in Reute Bad Waldsee, Germany, AMPS Conference, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
  • Cimillo, M., 2019, Social and Environmental Impact of Buildings Energy Performance in the Chinese Context, International Council for Caring Communities (Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations), Windsor Consultation, “Imagine the Possible: Digital Innovation, Global Health, & Inclusive Entrepreneurship”, St. George’s House, Windsor Castle, United Kingdom
  • Cimillo M., 2019, Energy retrofit of the residential building stock of Jiangsu Province, Sustainable Development of Civil Engineering - Research Workshop, Zhejiang University / University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign Institute, Haining, China


  • Cimillo M. (P.I.), 2020, Y-Project, Solar Decathlon China, XJTLU in partnership with Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, the International Network of Bamboo and Rattan in Beijing. 1,000,000 RMB, awrded by China Overseas Development Association
  • Cimillo M., (P.I), 2017, RDF-16-01-46, Developing an Energy Building Stock Model for Jiangsu Province, XJTLU in collaboration with University of Liverpool and Italian National Research council, 100,000 RMB +PGR Scholarship, awarded by XJTLU


  • Chair, School Learning and Teaching Committee
  • Member, University Learning and Teaching Committee
  • Member, Academic Quality Sub-Committee
  • Member, Teaching Centre Committee
  • Member, School Management Team
  • Member, School International Committee


  • ARC403 Applied Technology in Architecture
  • ARC401 Integration of Energy Strategies in the Design of Buildings
  • ARC304 Final Year Project
  • ARC205 Design and Building Typology
  • ARC204 Small Urban Buildings
  • ARC201 Environmental Design and Sustainability
  • ARC108 Construction and Materials
  • ARC103 Introduction to Environmental Science


  • Italian Architects Registration Board, 2007-Present
  • IBPSA - International Building Performance Simulation Association, 2013-Present
  • GBCI - Green Building Certification Institute, LEED Green Associate, 2013-Present
  • SITdA – Italian Society of Technology of Architecture, 2014-Present
  • AAIIC - Association of Italian Scholars in China, 2016-Present
Marco Cimillo