Professor Ng’s research broadly examines emerging material technologies and their potential within design to provide a sustainable and responsive architecture. Central to this inquiry is the potential for current and emerging technological advancements to redefine the interdisciplinary and collaborative modes of contemporary architecture and design praxes. Situated within the context of the global mandate for sustainable and environmentally conscious design, this research is rigorously directed by the complex and interconnected relationships of built and natural environments. Her current investigations include research into new lighting technologies and the development of a prototype of a responsive and energy-efficient daylighting panel utilizing phase change material. She recently won Gimme Shelter, an International Design-Build Competition, for her entry, “Firefly”, designed in collaboration with the artist Nami Yamamoto. Professor Ng is Co-founder and President of the non-profit organization SEAMLab, a collaborative think tank dedicated to research and the dissemination of design-based knowledge focused on materiality within the built environment. In addition, she is a registered architect with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and principal of the architecture firm, RNG Design LLC.

Prizes, Awards, and Grants

•  Pennsylvania Green Building Alliance Product Innovation Grant for “ReD: a Responsive Daylighting Panel Integrating Phase Change Material,” 2008.

•  Architectural Research Centers Consortium Research Incentive Grant for “SEAMLab, the Sustainable and Emerging Architectural Materials Laboratory,” 2006.

•  AIA Medal, First Prize, University of Pennsylvania, 2001.

•  First Prize, Paul Philippe Cret Award, University of Pennsylvania, 2001.

•  Walter R. Leach II Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania, 2001.

Publications

•  Solid-State Lighting Promises a Sustainable Future of Design Innovation, Context: The Journal of the American Institute of Architects Philadelphia, Summer 2009.

•  KieranTimberlake: refabricating ARCHITECTURE, ARCC / EAAE 2006 International Conference Proceedings, 2007.

•  Technology Today, ARCC / EAAE 2006 International Conference Proceedings, 2007.

Competitions

•  Finalist, “Gimme Shelter” Competition for “Firefly”, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 2009.

•  First Place, Schenck Design Competition, University of Pennsylvania, 2000.

•  First Place, American Institute of Architects Design Competition, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1996.

•  Second Place, Velux Design Competition, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1996.

Exhibitions

•  Curator of Phosphorescence, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, November 25 – December 13, 2009.

•  Curator of Fused, Artemide Showroom, Philadelphia, PA, April 28 – May 2, 2008.

•  Co-curator, with Sneha Patel and Jack Fanning of Reality of the Unbuilt, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, November 2007.

•  Co-curator, with Sneha Patel of Seams and Surfaces, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, January 2007.

Lectures, Workshops, and Charrettes

•  BTES Conference “Assembling Architecture,” Albuquerque, August 2009.

•  AAIA Technology Lecture Series, AIA Center for Architecture, Philadelphia, June 2009.

•  ACSA West Conference “Material Matters,” Los Angeles, October 2008.

•  ACSA Southwest Conference “Just Add Water,” Austin, October 2007.

•  ACSA National Conference, Session Co-chair of “Contemporary and Emerging Approaches to Case Study Evaluations of Buildings” with J. Brooke Harrington, March 2007.

Professional Practice

•  RNG Design, Principal, 2008-present.

•  SEAMLab, President and Co-founder, 2008-present.