Joao Alencastro

Biography

João Alencastro, MSc, is a PhD Candidate and researcher in the Environmental Building Group within the School of Architecture, Design and Environment at Plymouth University. His PhD research is entitled "Construction and the Building Performance Gap: the Role of Construction Management and Inspection Techniques". The research funding is provided by the Ministery of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Brazilian government. Qualifications 2007: MSc, School of Architecture, Project Management Group, Construction Technology Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil Brazil. 2003: Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 1999: Bachelor's Degree (Hons) Architecture and Urban Planning, UniRitter Laureate International Universities, Brazil. Practice 2015: Edifficaz Tecnologia SA, Brazil - Technical Manager. 2013: NBK/Hunter Douglas do Brasil Ltda, Brazil - Technical Manager. 2011: Gail Ceramics, Brazil - Technical Manager. 2008: Mantovani e Rita Arquitetura Ltda, Project Management Supervisor. Teaching 2008: Associate Lecturer, discipline of Architectural Project III - Federal University of Santa Catarina - UFSC 2008: Associate Lecturer, discipline of Technical Drawing and Geometry - Vale do Itajaí University - UNIVALI Awards Winner of the best presentation at the Postgraduate Society Conference - 23rd June, 2015 Professional membership Registered Architect with the Brazilian Institute of Architects (IAB) since 1999. Chartered Architect with the brazilian Council of Architects and Urban Planners (CAU) since 2000.

Research Interest

Presently, my research interests are the relationship of quality defects and the building's energy performance gap, focusing on how Quality Management Systems (QMS) address to this issue. My current research seek to examine the challenges and obstacles encountered by UK housing associations when implementing quality management procedures which prevent their projects to reach the expected energy performance levels. It also examines the limitations of existing theoretical frameworks which underline QMS (e.g. ISO 9001) to help organisations to deliver energy efficient housing according to performance specifications. The contribution to academic knowledge is to propose a QMS theoretical framework which aims to support housing associations in the UK achieving their desired energy performance targets. The research contributions also aim to provide recommendations to support policy and industry guidelines in order to improve the energy performance in the UK affordable housing sector.