our team
coordinator
Alexandra Alegre
MsC, PhD
Alexandra Alegre (1968) is an assistant professor of architecture at Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon since 2001.
She is a researcher at CITUA (Center for Innovation in Territory, Urbanism, and Architecture) where she develops studies within the research lines ‘Knowledge Environments’. She is the author of several publications focuses on the Portuguese architectural production of the 20th century, with regard to the history of architecture and construction, spatial-functional analyses, type-morphological studies and the rehabilitation of buildings, with particular relevance attributed to the following research areas: school architecture, educational and recreational spaces, education and city, and housing.
She was the Principal Researcher of the research project “Atlas of School Architecture In Portugal_ Education, Heritage and Challenges” (2016-2019), funded by Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal), and a researcher of the international programme “Re-Use of Modernist Buildings – Design Tools For Sustainable Transformations” (2016-2019), Programme Erasmus+, Keyaction: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices (partner institutions: Hochschule Owl, Instituto Superior Técnico, Istanbul Teknik Universitesi, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universidade de Coimbra, Docomomo International).
Currently, she is the Co-Investigator of the research project “Álvaro Siza’s Collective Housing: projects, contexts and experiences (Porto.Lisbon-New York)” (2022-2024) funded by Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal). She has supervised master’s and doctoral dissertations in the areas of Educational Architecture, Housing and Architecture, Urban Space and Rehabilitation. Author of several national and international papers published in journals such as Construction History Journal, Paedagogica Historica: International Journal of the HIstory of Education and Oxford Review of Education.
Author of the book “Arquitectura Escolar. O Edifício Liceu em Portugal (1882-1978)”, published by Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian in 2012. Member of Docomomo International and Portuguese Construction History Society.
Teresa Valsassina Heitor
MsC, PhD
Teresa Heitor was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1959. She is Full Professor of Architecture at University of Lisbon, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST).
She obtained a first degree in Architecture (1982, Escola Superior de Belas Artes de Lisboa, PT), a Master degree in Urban Design (1984, Joint Centre for Urban Design, Oxford Brooks University, UK); a PhD in Territorial Engineering (1997, Technical University of Lisbon, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, PT) and habilitation in Architecture (2007, University of Lisbon, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, PT).
Currently she is the chair of Architecture at IST. She has been teaching post- and undergraduate students in Architecture at IST for the past 20 years. In that time she has been responsible for both the IST 5-year Master Program in Architecture (1999-2003; 2005-08; 2010-16) and the Doctoral Program in Architecture (2008-13) and has also supervised a large number of PhD students as well as dissertation projects from Master programs. She has been appointed to examine a large number of PhD thesis and to take part in Habilitation Committees both internally and externally.
She has research expertise in the area of spatial analysis within the theoretical and analytical framework known as ‘space syntax’ for studying the relationship between people and their built environments. Her research interests are focused on the relationship between space, form and function and the development of models capable to simulate the implications of new social demands as well as on self-assessment tools to be applied along the occupancy stage. Her current research activity aimes at the understanding of contemporary socio-spatial aspects of learning in urban settings, i.e., the places where structured and unstructured modes of learning, social interactions and re-presentation of knowledge can take place. Particular attention is given to technology-enabled active learning and research environments.
She has also an interest on innovative learning practices applied to real-world design problems for which she has published a range of articles.
At the IST Doctoral Program in Architecture she runs the Space-use Analysis module, which examines the interface between built form and social outcomes and the impact of spatial design on people and social behaviors inside a range of complex buildings such as schools, universities and workplaces.
She has been involved with the OECD Directory of Education through the Centre for Effective Learning Environments (CELE) in different research and consultancy activities in the field of educational buildings performance and quality. Since 2005 she integrates the Group of National Experts on Evaluation of Education Facilities (GNEEEF) and coordinated the International Pilot Study on the Evaluation of Quality in Educational Spaces (EQES) (2007-2010). Between 2010 and 2012 she served as the Portuguese Delegate to OECD-CELE.
She integrates the steering committee of the International Space Syntax Symposia network and chaired the organizing committee of the 11th International Space Syntax Symposium held in Lisbon, 3rd to 7th july, 2017 (http://www.11ssslisbon.pt).
In addition to her teaching and research activity she is regularly invited to disseminate knowledge to policy-makers and the general public.
She regularly undertakes higher education strategic evaluations and peer review assessments for European and national research/scientific councils.
Jorge Gonçalves
MsC, PhD
Jorge Gonçalves is a PhD in Geography and Territorial Planning at Universidade Nova de Lisboa.He is assistant professor at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon. He is also the coordinator of the Master in Urban Studies and Spatial Planning in the same institution. He is a lecturer in several master’s degrees related to architecture and urban planning and also in the PhD Course in Territory Engineering. It teaches subjects mainly related to Geography, Strategic Planning, Housing, Social Challenges and Urban and Regional Development.
Regarding the involvement in research projects, the following stand out: 2004, project Reconfigurations in the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon: Spaces, Actors and Strategies for the New University of Lisbon; 2009, Residential Dynamics Project in Lisbon: Contours and motivations in exemplary areas, for the Lisbon City Council; 2010 and 2013, SPOTIA project: Sustainable Spatial Policy Orientations and Territorial Impact Assessment – Contribution to Portuguese context | PTDC / CS-GEO / 105452/2008; 2010 and 2013, the PERIURBAN project – Peri-urban areas facing sustainability challenges: scenario development in the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon | PTDC / AUR-AQI / 117305/2010.
Are underway the following projets: The PSSS – Public Space’s Service Value as an Urban System projects. An integrated assessment methodology | PTDC / ECM-URB / 2162/2014; SPHERA Supporting the Professionalisation of Health Engineering studies and Related areas in Asia | Erasmus + Program | Project Reference: 573909-EPP-1-2016-1-EN-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP; Project Tourism & dynamic transformation in historic neighborhoods: the case of Alfama | CERIS 2017 | IST.
Finally, it is worth highlighting its collaboration with multiple public and private entities in the preparation of studies and instruments for local planning and development, which, along with the aforementioned research projects, have allowed a growing dynamic of publication in scientific journals and books.
Francisco Teixeira Bastos
MsC, PhD
Francisco Teixeira Bastos is Assistant Professor at IST. He obtained a first degree in Architecture (1986, Faculdade de Arquitectura-Universidade Tecnica de Lisboa) and a PhD in Architecture (2013, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Pt). His scientific interests are focused on the relationship between the representation and communication of the architectural design project and the production phase of construction, giving particular attention to BIM paradigm. He has an active participation in the research, diffusion, and normalization of BIM in Portugal, being member of the scientific committee of the four PTBIM conferences – from 2016 to 2022 – and an active member of; CT197: BIM Standardization – IPQ, Portugal, since 2016.
Since 2016 he is member of team of I&D investigation projects like ATLAS OF SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE IN PORTUGAL EDUCATION, HERITAGE AND CHALLENGES (2016-2019) and RE-USE OF MODERNIST BUILDINGS. DESIGN TOOLS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION (RMB), a European project developed in the framework of the ERASMUS + (2016-2019). This Last, turned into a ERASMUS + Master Course, that he is the IST coordinator. Also integrates as team member of other I&D investigation projects like BIMcert – H2020 – and, more recently, REV@CONSTRUCTION.
He is a registered Architect in Portugal with practice experience since 1986. His work on residential and educational buildings has state of the art in architectural exhibitions (IST 2014, ESRDL – Lisbon Triennale 2015, Order Architects 2016), and has been the subject of publications (Uzina 2014) and mentioned internationally (Good Practices of OECD) , and finally a prize winner (Valmor 2011). He’s connecting his practice activity with investigation practice, involving his architectural work as case studies on Master and PHD Thesis and, mor recently in the I&D investigation project: CIRCULAR ECOBIM-EEA Grants 2014-2021, an Environment Program for sustainability
Patrícia Lourenço
MsC, PhD
Patricia Lourenço is an architect and invited assistant professor at IST, lecturing Architecture Project in the second year of the integrated master in Architecture. She obtained her degree in architecture in 1996 from Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade Técnica de Lisboa. In 2002 she obtained her master degree in Architecture at IST, Universidade de Lisboa, researching on sustainable construction materials, with a thesis on the economic and technical viability of re-using raw earth construction in Portugal. Since then she has been involved in the research and dissemination of practices to promote raw earth heritage conservation as well as its construction techniques mapping and updating, by participating in research groups, books and articles writing and revision, conferences and workshops.
In 2015 she concluded a PhD in Architecture, at IST, researching on enhancing buildings’ sustainability through user oriented strategies and use data monitoring. Case study: School buildings.
The current primary areas of research include 1) Evidence Based Sustainable Architecture, 2) Post occupancy evaluation & buildings in use monitoring 3) Users behaviour data for modeling and simulating buildings’ energy performance.
Dissemination of results include journal and conference articles, participating as guest consultant for the European Council of Architects regarding the theme “Responsible Architecture”.
She is currently participating on the following research projects at IST: 1) RMB – re-use of modernist buildings (http://www.rmb-eu.com/); 2) ATLAS of School Architecture in Portugal – Education, Heritage and Challenges (PTDC/ATP-AQI/3273/2014).
She is a licenced professional architect since 1999, maintaining a professional practice since then.
CÁSSIO CARVALHO
MsC, PhD, PhD Student
Ph.D. at Faculty of Arts and Humanities, at Rosario National University (UNR), with emphasis on Educational Science. Ph.D. candidate at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Lisbon, and collaborating researcher at the Center for Research in Architecture, Urbanism, and Design (CIAUD). Research fellow within the project "THE (RE)DESIGN OF THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. What is changing?" proposed by the Centre for Innovation in Territory, Urbanism and Architecture (CiTUA) at the Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon.
Hold a Postgraduate degree in Metal Structures Architecture and a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and Urbanism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil, with equivalence to a Master's degree in Architecture granted by the Scientific Committee of the Department of Architecture and Urbanism at the University Institute of Lisbon / ISCTE.
Former professor at the Centro Universitário do Leste de Minas Gerais (UnilesteMG) for 13 years, where also conducted research and management activities, organizing various conferences and events, and participating in several academic degree juries. Presented as a speaker, moderator, and with research papers on the subject of School Architecture at national and international congresses such as the 2nd Latin American Meeting of Researchers and Theses in Education at the National University of Rosario, Argentina in 2016, the 4th International Meeting on Devices and Educational Spaces in Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto in 2017, the International Meeting "Dictatorships, Resistances, and Memories: Ibero-American Dictatorships in a comparative perspective", University of Évora in 2019, the 1st International Congress School, Identity, and Democracy at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto in 2022, and the 7th National Meeting of Young Researchers in Education at the School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Porto and the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto in 2023.
Have relevant publications, including the article titled "Socio-political Context and Government Actions Influencing the Architecture of Public Schools in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during the Military Dictatorship," published in the SURES Journal by the Latin American Institute of Arts, Culture, and History, and the book "Daily Landscapes" published by the Institute of Creative Cities through the Municipal Law for Cultural Incentives of Ipatinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Accumulated extensive professional experience as the founder and architect at GRAU Architecture, Design, and Construction LTDA. In this studio, responsible for the development of projects of different uses and scales, as well as real estate promotion and construction of multi-family residential buildings. Received significant awards in architectural design competitions such as the Akzo Nobel Architecture Prize promoted by the Tomie Ohtake Institute, São Paulo, Brazil, the National Public Architecture Competition for the Rosas Memorial promoted by the State Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage of Minas Gerais (IEPHA), Brazil, the 7th IAB/MG Architecture Award promoted by the Institute of Architects of Brazil, the Paviflex Competition promoted by the Brazilian Association of Architecture and Urbanism Education (ASBEA), and the 3rd International Biennial of Architecture in Brazil. Member of the Architects' Association (OA) and the Architects' Council of Brazil (CAU/BR).