Dr Joao Alencastro

Dr João Alencastro is the Programme Lead and a lecturer and researcher in the Built Environment department of the School of Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Plymouth . He is currently full time lecturer of the undergraduate programmes BSc Architectural Engineering, BSc Construction Project Management, BSC Quantity Surveying and BSc Building Surveying. Previously, he was a lecturer in the School of Architecture at Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil) and in the School of Civil Engineering of UNIVALI (Brazil).

Originally trained as an Architect and Urban Planner, Mr. Alencastro has a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management and a Master Degree in Construction Project Management. He is an early career researcher, who obtained his PhD in the area of Construction and Quality Management. In the recent years his research is focused on project management, quality management and their relationship with the energy performance of buildings. In addition to his recent academic role, he has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry acting as design coordinator and project manager for design and contracting companies, as well as for manufacturers. He has published academic papers linking the areas of project management, quality management, energy performance and construction technology.

Dr Alencastro is an Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy. He has an established track record of research-informed teaching, as well as authentic learning activities with the input of construction companies. He has experience in student pastoral tutoring and industry placement tutoring. He has also supervised many undergraduate research dissertations. Dr Alencastro is currently supervising PhD students. 

Qualifications

2015-2019        Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom. 

PhD in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment - School of Art, Design and Architecture.

PhD thesis title: “The impact of quality management on the thermal performance of social housing in the United Kingdom”.

2004-2006        Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil. 

MSc. in Architectural Technology. Department of Design and Technology of the Built Environment. School of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Master thesis title: “Diagnoses of design coordination practices in construction projects in the city of Florianopolis, Brazil”.

2002-2003        Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. 

Post-Graduate diploma in Business Management. Business School.

Post-graduation thesis title: “Customer Relationship Management on transactions between construction companies and the steel industry”.

1993-1999        UniRitter Laureate International Universities, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. 

BArch. School of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Professional practice

2013 – 2015     ANC Engenharia, Florianópolis, Brazil.

Project Manager. Project management (design and construction) of residential and commercial projects.

2012 - 2013      NBK/Hunter Douglas do Brasil Ltda, São Paulo, Brazil.

Project Manager. Project management (design and construction) of cladding systems.

2008 - 2011      Gail Ceramics, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Project Manager. Project management (design and construction) of cladding systems.

2007 – 2008     Mantovani e Rita Arquitetura Ltda, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.                                 

Architect - Design coordinator. Developing, coordinating and integrating architectural and service designs.

2006 - 2007     Inovatec Consultores Associados Ltda, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.

Architect.  Consulting and development of technical design of cladding systems. Technical supervision during construction phase.

2004 – 2006     Poersche Engenharia Ltda, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. 

Construction Site Manager.  Residential project.

2002 - 2007     Alencastro & Cartana Architects, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.

Architect.  Development of architectural design for commercial and residential projects.

2000 - 2004     Grupo Gerdau Açominas S/A, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. 

Architect.  Development of technical design for industrial concrete floors and lattice slabs. Technical supervision during construction phase. Technical training for sales and construction teams.

 1998 - 2000     TGD Arquitetura e Construção, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. 

Architect.  Development of architectural design for commercial and residential projects.

Professional membership

Chartered Architect with the Brazilian Council of Architects and Urban Planners(CAU) since 2000.

Registered Architect with the Brazilian Institute of Architects (IAB) since 1999.

CIOB member (student membership # 2024910).

CIBSE member (student membership # 053805 ).

Teaching interests

Teaching roles

Module lecturer, BLDG609 - Built Environment Project 3 (Year 3)

Research interests

- Improvement of construction processes to enhance building energy efficiency

- Relationship between quality management and building energy performance

- Effects of design changes and value engineering on the energy performance of buildings

- Use of Offsite Manufacturing, digital techniques and robotics to improve productivity, H&S, quality and environmental performance on construction projects

Grants & contracts

2020.

Proposal: DeViz (Defect Visualisation via Thermography) - CI

Funder: CREDS (Flexible Fund: Early Career Researcher Call

Value: £200,000

Status: Successful