![Gabriela Zapata-Lancaster PhD. Arch, MSc. Arch, BSc. Arch.](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/5471?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Gabriela Zapata-Lancaster
PhD. Arch, MSc. Arch, BSc. Arch.
Senior Lecturer
- ZapataG@cardiff.ac.uk
- Bute Building, Room 3.24A, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
Gabriela's main research interest is in the field of energy performance and building sustainability. Her work focuses on the human factors (people's actions, behaviours) that affect the performance of buildings. She applies monitoring techniques, social science theories and social science research methods to investigate the nexus between technical and human aspects of performance.
She has investigated human factors in performance and sustainability both in design process and in buildings in operation. Her work on existing buildings looks at the nexus between occupants' behaviours/practices, resulting indoor environment (thermal comfort in particular) and building performance. This aims to nudge behaviours/practices to address performance challenges. Her work in design looks at how designers articulate and embed performance and sustainability requirements in the design process. This aims to identify lessons from design process to improve performance in later stages of the building life cycle. She is interested in interdisciplinary work looking at these matters in design processes and in different building types, in particular school buildings. She is interested in working on children - centric research and investigate how young people participate in sustainable buildings.
Responsibilities
- Module Leader: Earth and Society
- Modur Leader: Architectural Technology 3
- Module Leader: Perspectives on Performance
- Module Leader:Post Occupancy Evaluation for Sustainable Building Management
- Programme Leader: MSc in Advanced Building Performance Evaluation
Tutorials, lectures, workshops and other teaching activities in undergraduate and posgraduate modules in different programmes in WSA.
Work on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
I am founding member of the network EMPOWER, aiming at supporting female academics to become successful principal investigators and to achieve their career aspirations. The network organises career development events, peer support, mentoring and interdisciplinary events to help female academics to connect and expand their work. EMPOWER works with Cardiff University committees and departments to contribute to the EDI agenda. For more information, contact us at empower@cardiff.ac.uk
Publication
2024
- Patel, H. and Zapata-Lancaster, M. 2024. Integrating views on building performance from different stakeholder groups. Journal of Corporate Real Estate 26(1), pp. 21-40. (10.1108/JCRE-02-2023-0003)
2023
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G., Ionas, M., Toyinbo, O. and Smith, T. A. 2023. Carbon dioxide concentration levels and thermal comfort in primary school classrooms: what pupils and teachers do. Sustainability 15(6), article number: 4803. (10.3390/su15064803)
2022
- Fernández Goycoolea, J. P., Zapata-Lancaster, M. and Whitman, C. 2022. Operational emissions in prosuming dwellings: a study comparing different sources of grid CO2 intensity values in South Wales, UK. Energies 15(7), article number: 2349. (10.3390/en15072349)
- Zapata-Lancaster, G., Smith, T. A. and Ionias, M. 2022. Indoor air quality in primary schools: First report. Project Report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Zapata-Lancaster, G., Smith, T. and Ioanis, M. 2022. Indoor air quality in primary schools: final report. Cardiff University.
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. and Ionas, M. 2022. Balancing indoor CO2 concentration levels and thermal comfort: Actions in primary school classrooms. Presented at: International Conference for Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS)International Conference for Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS), Bristol, UK, 31 August - 1 Sept 2022.
2020
- Schweiker, M. et al. 2020. Evaluating assumptions of scales for subjective assessment of thermal environments – do laypersons perceive them the way, we researchers believe?. Energy and Buildings 211, article number: 109761. (10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.109761)
- Zapata-Lancaster, G. 2020. Architects’ tactics to embed as-designed performance in the design process of low energy nondomestic buildings. Presented at: Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2019, Budapest, Hungary, 4-5 July 2019 Presented at Littlewood, J. et al. eds.Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, Vol. 163. Springer pp. 383-393., (10.1007/978-981-32-9868-2_33)
- Fernandez Goycoolea, J. P., Zapata-Lancaster, G. and Whitman, C. 2020. A framework for the study of householders’ engagement with low-carbon energy demand practices in dwellings with grid-connected photovoltaic energy systems. Presented at: World Sustainable Built Environment Conference: Beyond 2020, Online, 2-4 November 2020.
- Fernandez Goycoolea, J. P., Zapata-Lancaster, G. and Whitman, C. 2020. A framework for the study of householders' engagement with low-carbon energy demand practices in dwellings with grid-connected photovoltaic energy systems. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 588(4), article number: 42012. (10.1088/1755-1315/588/4/042012)
2019
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. 2019. Thermal comfort practices in non-domestic buildings within the organisational context. Facilities 38(1/2), pp. 114-131. (10.1108/F-01-2019-0010)
- Schweiker, M. et al. 2019. Contextual differences in the perception of thermal comfort scales – the data base from a large-scale international questionnaire study. [Digital]. Available at: https://osf.io/9p2gq/
- Schweiker, M. et al. 2019. The Scales Project: a cross-national dataset on the interpretation of thermal perception scales. Scientific Data 6, article number: 289. (10.1038/s41597-019-0272-6)
- Zapata-Lancaster, G. 2019. Intersection between architectural criticism and building performance analysis: current debates and future directions. Presented at: International Association of Societies of Design Research Conference 2019 (IASDR), Manchester, England, 2-5 September 2019 Presented at Evans, M., Shaw, A. and Na, J. eds.Design revolutions:IASDR 2019 Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1. Manchester Metropolitan University pp. 628-633.
2018
- Banteli, A., Stevenson, V. and Zapata-Lancaster, G. 2018. Building Information Modelling (BIM) application in relation to embodied energy and carbon (EEC) considerations during design: A practitioner perspective. Presented at: Second International Conference for Sustainable Design of the Built Environment: Research in Practice, London, UK, 12-13 September 2018 Presented at Elsharkawy, H., Zahiri, S. and Clough, J. eds.International Conference for Sustainable Design of the Built Environment SDBE 2018: Proceedings. pp. 224-234.
- Tweed, C. and Zapata-Lancaster, G. 2018. Interdisciplinary perspectives on building thermal performance. Building Research and Information 46(5), pp. 552-565. (10.1080/09613218.2018.1379815)
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. 2018. Occupants’ perceptions of indoor environmental conditions in two BREEAM excellent buildings. Presented at: RICS COBRA 2018, London, UK, 23-24 April 2018RICS COBRA 2018: The Construction, Building and Real Estate Research Conference of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. London: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
- Janahi, H., Raman, S. and Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. 2018. Understanding the impact of residential built environment design on inhabitants' wellbeing. Presented at: ARCC-EAAE 2018 International Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 16-19 May 2018.
2017
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. and Tweed, A. 2017. Users in context: actions and practices in four BREEAM certified buildings. Presented at: Passive and Low Energy Architecture (PLEA), Edinburgh, UK, 3-5 Jul 2017PLEA 2017 Proceedings. NCEUB
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. and Tweed, A. C. 2017. Users in context: actions and practices in low energy buildings. Presented at: Passive and Low Energy Architecture PLEA Conference 2017, Edinburgh, UK, 2-5 July 2017.
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. 2017. Architects’ use of tools for low energy building design: Methodological reflections from ethnography and philosophy of technology. Presented at: The Virtual and the Physical Between the representation of space and the making of space., Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, 26-28 April 2017 Presented at Spaeth, A. B. and Jabi, W. eds.The Virtual and the Physical: Between the representation of space and the making of space. Proceedings of the 5th eCAADe Regional Symposium, Vol. 1. Cardiff, UK: eCAADe Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Brussels and the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom pp. 73-82.
- Vargas, G., Tweed, C. and Zapata-Lancaster, M. 2017. Connecting householders with their homes using low-cost technological interventions. Presented at: Passive Low Energy Architecture (PLEA) 2017, Edinburgh, UK, 3-5 July 2017 Presented at Brotas, L., Roaf, S. and Nicol, F. eds.Design to thrive: Proceedings, Vol. II. Edinburgh: NCEUB pp. 2983-2990.
2016
- Zapata-Lancaster, G. and Tweed, C. 2016. Tools for low-energy building design: an exploratory study of the design process in action. Architectural Engineering and Design Management 12(4), pp. 279-295. (10.1080/17452007.2016.1178627)
- Tweed, A. C. and Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. 2016. Smart people in stupid homes: the skill in creating preferred thermal environments. Presented at: DEMAND 2016, Lancaster, UK, 13-15 April 2016.
2015
- Tweed, C., Humes, N. and Zapata-Lancaster, G. 2015. The changing landscape of thermal experience and warmth in older people's dwellings. Energy Policy 84, pp. 223-232. (10.1016/j.enpol.2015.03.011)
- Zapata-Lancaster, M., Lannon, S. C. and Jenkins, H. G. 2015. Behaviors and adaptation of households living in an off-grid house. Presented at: 31th International PLEA Conference ARCHITECTURE IN (R)EVOLUTION, Bologna, Italy, 9-11 September 2015.
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. 2015. Informal knowledge strategies while designing non-domestic buildings. Presented at: World Sustainable energy days, Wels, Austria, 24-26 february 2015.
2014
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. and Tweed, A. C. 2014. Designers' enactment of the policy intentions. An ethnographic study of the adoption of energy regulations in England and Wales. Energy Policy 72, pp. 129-139. (10.1016/j.enpol.2014.04.033)
- Zapata Poveda, M. G. and Tweed, A. C. 2014. Official and informal tools to embed performance in the design of low carbon buildings. An ethnographic study in England and Wales. Automation in Construction 37, pp. 38-47. (10.1016/j.autcon.2013.10.001)
- Zapata Poveda, M. G. 2014. An investigation of the tools and situated learning in non-domestic low carbon building design. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
- Guerra Santin, O., Tweed, A. C. and Zapata Poveda, M. G. 2014. Learning from design reviews in low energy buildings. Structural Survey 32(3), pp. 246-264. (10.1108/SS-08-2013-0030)
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. 2014. Low carbon non-domestic building design process.. Structural Survey 32(2), pp. 140-157. (10.1108/SS-07-2013-0029)
2013
- Crobu, E., Lannon, S. C., Rhodes, M. and Zapata-Lancaster, M. 2013. Simple simulation sensitivity tool. Presented at: BS2013: 13th Conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association, Chambery, France, 26-28 August 2013Proceedings of BS2013:13th Conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association, Chambéry, France, August 26-28. Chambery: IBPSA pp. 417-424.
- Crobu, E., Lannon, S., Rhodes, M. and Zapata Poveda, M. G. 2013. Simple simulation sensitivity tool. Presented at: Building Simulation 2013 (BS2013): 13th International Conference of the International Building Performance Simulation Association, Chambéry, France, 25-28 August 2013.
2012
- Zapata Poveda, M. G. 2012. Detailed design ethnography: Architects embedding low carbon performance. Presented at: ARCOM, Edinburgh, UK, 3-5 September 2012.
2011
- Zapata Poveda, M. G. and Alsaadani, S. 2011. Deciphering design process - Using qualitative methods to inform collaborative built environment research. Presented at: COBRA 2011, Salford, UK, 12-13 September 2011 Presented at Ruddock, L. et al. eds.COBRA 2011 Proceedings of RICS Construction and Property Conference. pp. 1065-1074.
- Zapata Poveda, M. G. and Tweed, A. C. 2011. From low carbon policy intent to design practice. Presented at: PLEA 2011: 27th Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, 13-15 July 2011 Presented at Bodart, M. and Evrard, A. eds.Plea 2011 - Architecture & Sustainable Development (vol 2): 27th International Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture. Louvain-la-Neuve: Presses universitaires de Louvain pp. 71-76.
Articles
- Patel, H. and Zapata-Lancaster, M. 2024. Integrating views on building performance from different stakeholder groups. Journal of Corporate Real Estate 26(1), pp. 21-40. (10.1108/JCRE-02-2023-0003)
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G., Ionas, M., Toyinbo, O. and Smith, T. A. 2023. Carbon dioxide concentration levels and thermal comfort in primary school classrooms: what pupils and teachers do. Sustainability 15(6), article number: 4803. (10.3390/su15064803)
- Fernández Goycoolea, J. P., Zapata-Lancaster, M. and Whitman, C. 2022. Operational emissions in prosuming dwellings: a study comparing different sources of grid CO2 intensity values in South Wales, UK. Energies 15(7), article number: 2349. (10.3390/en15072349)
- Schweiker, M. et al. 2020. Evaluating assumptions of scales for subjective assessment of thermal environments – do laypersons perceive them the way, we researchers believe?. Energy and Buildings 211, article number: 109761. (10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.109761)
- Fernandez Goycoolea, J. P., Zapata-Lancaster, G. and Whitman, C. 2020. A framework for the study of householders' engagement with low-carbon energy demand practices in dwellings with grid-connected photovoltaic energy systems. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 588(4), article number: 42012. (10.1088/1755-1315/588/4/042012)
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. 2019. Thermal comfort practices in non-domestic buildings within the organisational context. Facilities 38(1/2), pp. 114-131. (10.1108/F-01-2019-0010)
- Schweiker, M. et al. 2019. The Scales Project: a cross-national dataset on the interpretation of thermal perception scales. Scientific Data 6, article number: 289. (10.1038/s41597-019-0272-6)
- Tweed, C. and Zapata-Lancaster, G. 2018. Interdisciplinary perspectives on building thermal performance. Building Research and Information 46(5), pp. 552-565. (10.1080/09613218.2018.1379815)
- Zapata-Lancaster, G. and Tweed, C. 2016. Tools for low-energy building design: an exploratory study of the design process in action. Architectural Engineering and Design Management 12(4), pp. 279-295. (10.1080/17452007.2016.1178627)
- Tweed, C., Humes, N. and Zapata-Lancaster, G. 2015. The changing landscape of thermal experience and warmth in older people's dwellings. Energy Policy 84, pp. 223-232. (10.1016/j.enpol.2015.03.011)
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. and Tweed, A. C. 2014. Designers' enactment of the policy intentions. An ethnographic study of the adoption of energy regulations in England and Wales. Energy Policy 72, pp. 129-139. (10.1016/j.enpol.2014.04.033)
- Zapata Poveda, M. G. and Tweed, A. C. 2014. Official and informal tools to embed performance in the design of low carbon buildings. An ethnographic study in England and Wales. Automation in Construction 37, pp. 38-47. (10.1016/j.autcon.2013.10.001)
- Guerra Santin, O., Tweed, A. C. and Zapata Poveda, M. G. 2014. Learning from design reviews in low energy buildings. Structural Survey 32(3), pp. 246-264. (10.1108/SS-08-2013-0030)
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. 2014. Low carbon non-domestic building design process.. Structural Survey 32(2), pp. 140-157. (10.1108/SS-07-2013-0029)
Conferences
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. and Ionas, M. 2022. Balancing indoor CO2 concentration levels and thermal comfort: Actions in primary school classrooms. Presented at: International Conference for Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS)International Conference for Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS), Bristol, UK, 31 August - 1 Sept 2022.
- Zapata-Lancaster, G. 2020. Architects’ tactics to embed as-designed performance in the design process of low energy nondomestic buildings. Presented at: Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2019, Budapest, Hungary, 4-5 July 2019 Presented at Littlewood, J. et al. eds.Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, Vol. 163. Springer pp. 383-393., (10.1007/978-981-32-9868-2_33)
- Fernandez Goycoolea, J. P., Zapata-Lancaster, G. and Whitman, C. 2020. A framework for the study of householders’ engagement with low-carbon energy demand practices in dwellings with grid-connected photovoltaic energy systems. Presented at: World Sustainable Built Environment Conference: Beyond 2020, Online, 2-4 November 2020.
- Zapata-Lancaster, G. 2019. Intersection between architectural criticism and building performance analysis: current debates and future directions. Presented at: International Association of Societies of Design Research Conference 2019 (IASDR), Manchester, England, 2-5 September 2019 Presented at Evans, M., Shaw, A. and Na, J. eds.Design revolutions:IASDR 2019 Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1. Manchester Metropolitan University pp. 628-633.
- Banteli, A., Stevenson, V. and Zapata-Lancaster, G. 2018. Building Information Modelling (BIM) application in relation to embodied energy and carbon (EEC) considerations during design: A practitioner perspective. Presented at: Second International Conference for Sustainable Design of the Built Environment: Research in Practice, London, UK, 12-13 September 2018 Presented at Elsharkawy, H., Zahiri, S. and Clough, J. eds.International Conference for Sustainable Design of the Built Environment SDBE 2018: Proceedings. pp. 224-234.
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. 2018. Occupants’ perceptions of indoor environmental conditions in two BREEAM excellent buildings. Presented at: RICS COBRA 2018, London, UK, 23-24 April 2018RICS COBRA 2018: The Construction, Building and Real Estate Research Conference of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. London: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
- Janahi, H., Raman, S. and Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. 2018. Understanding the impact of residential built environment design on inhabitants' wellbeing. Presented at: ARCC-EAAE 2018 International Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 16-19 May 2018.
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. and Tweed, A. 2017. Users in context: actions and practices in four BREEAM certified buildings. Presented at: Passive and Low Energy Architecture (PLEA), Edinburgh, UK, 3-5 Jul 2017PLEA 2017 Proceedings. NCEUB
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. and Tweed, A. C. 2017. Users in context: actions and practices in low energy buildings. Presented at: Passive and Low Energy Architecture PLEA Conference 2017, Edinburgh, UK, 2-5 July 2017.
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. 2017. Architects’ use of tools for low energy building design: Methodological reflections from ethnography and philosophy of technology. Presented at: The Virtual and the Physical Between the representation of space and the making of space., Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, 26-28 April 2017 Presented at Spaeth, A. B. and Jabi, W. eds.The Virtual and the Physical: Between the representation of space and the making of space. Proceedings of the 5th eCAADe Regional Symposium, Vol. 1. Cardiff, UK: eCAADe Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Brussels and the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom pp. 73-82.
- Vargas, G., Tweed, C. and Zapata-Lancaster, M. 2017. Connecting householders with their homes using low-cost technological interventions. Presented at: Passive Low Energy Architecture (PLEA) 2017, Edinburgh, UK, 3-5 July 2017 Presented at Brotas, L., Roaf, S. and Nicol, F. eds.Design to thrive: Proceedings, Vol. II. Edinburgh: NCEUB pp. 2983-2990.
- Tweed, A. C. and Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. 2016. Smart people in stupid homes: the skill in creating preferred thermal environments. Presented at: DEMAND 2016, Lancaster, UK, 13-15 April 2016.
- Zapata-Lancaster, M., Lannon, S. C. and Jenkins, H. G. 2015. Behaviors and adaptation of households living in an off-grid house. Presented at: 31th International PLEA Conference ARCHITECTURE IN (R)EVOLUTION, Bologna, Italy, 9-11 September 2015.
- Zapata-Lancaster, M. G. 2015. Informal knowledge strategies while designing non-domestic buildings. Presented at: World Sustainable energy days, Wels, Austria, 24-26 february 2015.
- Crobu, E., Lannon, S. C., Rhodes, M. and Zapata-Lancaster, M. 2013. Simple simulation sensitivity tool. Presented at: BS2013: 13th Conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association, Chambery, France, 26-28 August 2013Proceedings of BS2013:13th Conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association, Chambéry, France, August 26-28. Chambery: IBPSA pp. 417-424.
- Crobu, E., Lannon, S., Rhodes, M. and Zapata Poveda, M. G. 2013. Simple simulation sensitivity tool. Presented at: Building Simulation 2013 (BS2013): 13th International Conference of the International Building Performance Simulation Association, Chambéry, France, 25-28 August 2013.
- Zapata Poveda, M. G. 2012. Detailed design ethnography: Architects embedding low carbon performance. Presented at: ARCOM, Edinburgh, UK, 3-5 September 2012.
- Zapata Poveda, M. G. and Alsaadani, S. 2011. Deciphering design process - Using qualitative methods to inform collaborative built environment research. Presented at: COBRA 2011, Salford, UK, 12-13 September 2011 Presented at Ruddock, L. et al. eds.COBRA 2011 Proceedings of RICS Construction and Property Conference. pp. 1065-1074.
- Zapata Poveda, M. G. and Tweed, A. C. 2011. From low carbon policy intent to design practice. Presented at: PLEA 2011: 27th Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, 13-15 July 2011 Presented at Bodart, M. and Evrard, A. eds.Plea 2011 - Architecture & Sustainable Development (vol 2): 27th International Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture. Louvain-la-Neuve: Presses universitaires de Louvain pp. 71-76.
Datasets
- Schweiker, M. et al. 2019. Contextual differences in the perception of thermal comfort scales – the data base from a large-scale international questionnaire study. [Digital]. Available at: https://osf.io/9p2gq/
Monographs
- Zapata-Lancaster, G., Smith, T. A. and Ionias, M. 2022. Indoor air quality in primary schools: First report. Project Report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Zapata-Lancaster, G., Smith, T. and Ioanis, M. 2022. Indoor air quality in primary schools: final report. Cardiff University.
Thesis
- Zapata Poveda, M. G. 2014. An investigation of the tools and situated learning in non-domestic low carbon building design. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Research
Gabriela's main research interest is in the field of energy performance and building sustainability. Her work focuses on the human factors (people's actions, behaviours) that affect the performance of buildings. She applies monitoring techniques, social science theories and social science research methods to investigate the nexus between technical and human aspects of performance. Her work considers the perspective of multiple stakeholders to learn from practices and behaviours in design and operation stages to address performance challenges.
Research interests
- Socio-technical perspectives and building performance evaluation to analyse environmental and energy performance in buildings and built environment, with focus on users' perspectives
- Social science methods and theories in built environment research, particularly applied to investigate(1) the nexus between occupants and resulting building performance and (2) design process and architectural practice
- User studies in design and operational stages (occupant-building technologies; designers- energy/building performance, indoor environment, analysis of design tools and design process)
- Design process studies focused on building performance, low energy design, sustainability in buildings, occupant-centred design
- Children and young people's participation in the making and operation of sustainable buildings
- School buildings as research sites to explore the research interests above
Research activities
ESRC and EPSRC Impact Accelerator Accounts working with primary schools to investigate suitable monitoring approaches to evaluate the indoor environment of classrooms. The projects explored how to use monitoring data to create educational resources to support children's learning about indoor conditions in buildings and more broadly, building use/energy performance and sustainability. https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/2585187-cardiff-university-team-to-explore-indoor-air-quality-in-primary-schools
COST Action RESTORE REthinking Sustainability TOwards a Regenerative Economy, WP3 Restorative buildings and operations
Member of international research initiative 'Contextual differences in the perception of thermal comfort scales'
BREEAM actual vs. predicted performance (funded by the Building Research Establishment). Investigation of user practices using social science research methods in 4 non-domestic buildings, including 2 schools
Impact Accelerator Account (IAA) Monitoring toolkits for housing associations Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (Co-I)
Maes yr Onn- Performance and human studies of an Off-grid house (funded by Constructing Excellence Wales)
Social perceptions and use of water in Green Infrastructure- comparative study in Indonesia, USA, UK (funded by a Global Innovation Initiative, Institute of International Education (IIE, USA)
Teaching
Teaching profile
Principles and positions on sustainability theory and practice (Earth and Society)
Technology and architecture integration (Architectural Technology 3)
Social science methods applied to architecture and built environment research
Theory and practice of building performance evaluation, Energy policies, regulations and standards to promote energy efficiency and carbon reductions, Positions and ways of thinking about building performance drawing from Systems Theory, Performance-based Theories, Philosophy and Social Sciences (Perspectives on Performance)
Socio-technical approaches to investigate building performance (Post Occupancy Evaluation for Sustainable Building Management)
Contribution to lectures and tutorials on passive design, post occupancy evaluation, energy regulations, architectural technology, sustainability, research methods in undergraduate and posgraduate modules in WSA
Dissertation supervisor
Biography
Gabriela holds a PhD in Architecture from Cardiff University (funded by a Building Research Establishment PhD studentship) and a Master Degree in Architecture Building Technologies from the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA (funded by Fulbright/Senacty grant). She has research experience in the UK, in the USA and in Ecuador.
She is an architect with an interest in applying socio-technical approaches to investigate sustainable buildings, building performance, design process & designers' knowledge. She is interested in the nexus between people-technology in operation and in design stages.
Gabriela's main research interest is in the field of energy performance and building sustainability. Her work investigates how human factors (people's actions, behaviours) affect the performance of buildings. She applies monitoring techniques, social science theories/methods to investigate the nexus between technical and human aspects of performance. She has experience on building performance evaluation (BPE) and sustainability assessment in both design and operational phases. Her work in operational phase has looked at the relation between thermal comfort and energy efficiency, focusing on the nexus between occupants' practices and resulting building performance. Her work in design investigates the use of tools and the processes enacted by practitioners to embed performance considerations in building design.
External activities
Journal Reviewer at:
- Building Research and Information
- Energy Research and Social Science
- Indoor Built Environment
- Journal of Building Pathology
- Architectural Engineering and Design Management
- Energy Policy
Other responsibilities
- Member of the pool of reviewers of Newton Fund for the British Council, Newton UNESCO, Commonwealth Scholarships, Taith
- External examiner and reviewer of PhD thesis internationally and as internal examiner in WSA
Committees and reviewing
Founding and leadership team member of Cardiff University network EMPOWER to support female PI to become successful academics
Supervisions
I am interested in supervising PhD students with an interest in applying socio-technical approaches to investigate:
- Human factors that affect the performance of buildings (ie. occupant's practices & perceptions, management practices)
- Energy and environmental performance of buildings using socio-technical theories and social science methodologies
- Nexus between indoor environment (ie thermal comfort) and energy consumption in buildings
- People and technology interactions in the context of energy efficiency and/or performance-based requirements (in design and in operational phases)
- Connections between design process and operational performance, including discrepancies between as-designed intentions and measured in-use performance
- Design process for low energy performance and sustainability
- School buildings as research sites to investigate the topics above
Current supervision
Research themes
Specialisms
- Architectural science and technology
- Behaviour Change
- Building performance
- Indoor air quality
- Young people and sustainability
