Dr. Luisa Caldas

Professor

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Biography

Luisa Caldas is an architect, educator, sustainability consultant, and creator of virtual immersive experiences. She is a Professor of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, and the founder and director of the UC Berkeley XR Lab, a research laboratory focused on virtual, augmented, and mixed reality established in 2017. As a Faculty Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, she is actively involved in the Energy Technologies Area and serves on the executive committee of the FHL VIVE Center for Enhanced Reality. Dr. Caldas holds a PhD in Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, specializing in Building Technology, and has pioneered work in the application of Artificial Intelligence to design sustainable buildings. Before joining Berkeley in 2012, she was a full Professor at the University of Lisbon, where she also served as the inaugural director of Sustenta Lab. With extensive international teaching experience, she has held visiting scholar positions at various prestigious institutions. Her professional practice emphasizes sustainability in architecture, particularly in developing energy-efficient design solutions. Caldas also co-founded SoftEnergies, a consultancy focused on sustainability. Her contributions to immersive design technology and sustainable architecture position her as a leader in her field.

Research Interests

Virtual Reality Augmented Reality Sustainable Design Generative Design Daylighting

Experience

Professor

2012-01-01 — Present

University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Teaching and conducting research in architecture with a focus on sustainability and immersive design technologies.

Full Professor

2000-01-01 — 2012-01-01

University of Lisbon • Lisbon, Portugal

Taught architecture and led research initiatives in sustainability and design innovation.

Patents

Systems and Methods Integrating User Feedback for Generative Designs

63/114,906 2021-09-21

A provisional patent application on systems incorporating user feedback for generative design optimization.

Remote Collaboration Platform for Interactions in Virtual Environments

PCT/US2021/051330 2021-09-21

An international patent application focusing on collaboration frameworks in virtual settings.

Courses

Advanced Topics in Energy and Environment Integrated Design Studio Daylighting Architecture Crafting Light Studio Building Narratives in Virtual Environments

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.