The purpose of this Research Group has been to research in various areas related to building technology and the environment, built from the perspective of sustainable construction, which require that the built heritage be the result of an integrated and sustainable vision. These research areas include, among others, the knowledge and study of materials whose choice must fall on the principles of sustainable construction, rehabilitation of built heritage, energy efficiency and the study of color and light in architecture.

The RG is divided into four Research Lines (RL):

Responsible: Alberto Cruz Reaes Pinto
Brief description: Knowledge of the materials and technologies of its application, energy efficiency and waste reduction, within the principles of Sustainable Construction, is essential to minimize negative environmental impacts resulting from the building industry. This RL contains research projects related to the construction and operation of buildings.

Responsible: Alberto Cruz Reaes Pinto
Brief description: With the construction of new dweeling blocked, as a result of having built at a much higher rate than the market could absorb, the rehabilitation of the built environment is a very significant potential market. This RL includes the rehabilitation of the built heritage in order to transmit it without problems to the coming generations and within the principles of Sustainable Development.

Responsible: Cristina Caramelo Gomes
Brief description: The Laboratory of Color aims to provide scientific responses to projects on color in various areas, disseminate knowledge of the research carried out and promote its application in the field of science, architecture and design, in close connection with other universities, with companies and with civil society in general. The research team of the "Junqueira Street" study project has been developing its activity in the last 15 years in the analysis of the relationship between color, architecture and intervention technologies in the rehabilitation processes of the built heritage and the projects of ongoing research are within this scope.

Responsible: Samuel Roda Fernandes
Brief description: The Laboratory of Light is a platform of open cooperation between institutional leaders, researchers, technicians, artists and the academic community, aiming at an objective qualification of the various fields in the field. The project consists of mapping, interpreting, drawing, revealing and solving challenges that range from the design and perception of small objects, to theatrical and cinematographic scenography to the urban and non-urban landscape, highlighting its nocturnal expression, where art and sustainability are the touchstones.