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Mario Santana Quintero

Professor in Architectural Conservation and Sustainability Engineering

  • Architect, Universidad Central de Venezuela; Master, Conservation of Historic Towns and Buildings, Ph.D. Engineering (Architecture), Leuven (Belgium); LEL, Doctorate Honoris Causa, Universite de Liege (Belgium)
  • 5207 Canal Building, Carleton University
  • 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6
  • mario.santana@carleton.ca
  • 613-520-2600 ext 3093 or 7468

Prof. Santana’s mailbox is located in room 3432 C.J. Mackenzie Building, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 Canada

Teaching Assignments 2024-2025

Previous Teaching Assignments

Current Professional Positions

Professional History

Graduated Research Students

Research Team

Post-Doctoral Fellows in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) program

Visiting Junior Professors and researchers

Research Interests

Dr. Santana’s research interest involves the digital advancement workflows for recording buildings in 3D with a high resolution of detail; this is essential for better characterizing existing buildings and implementing tailored rehabilitation, adaptive use, maintenance and sustainability approaches. Besides, the development of guidelines, specifications and protocols for the improvement of heritage information in the conservation process. As well as to design approaches for handling, storing and presenting large volumes of data generated from the heritage information-gathering activities.

In the framework of ongoing research, the following tracks have been developed by graduate and undergraduate students:

Research track (1): Building Digitalization: research objectives focus on developing techniques for capturing (or mapping) detailed physical characteristics of historic structures. Trainees will carry out research using terrestrial and low-cost aerial surveying (e.g. 3D scanning, thermal photography and photogrammetry), building information modelling (BIM), coupling life cycle assessment with BIM, real-time simulation, geographic information system (GIS), scene and motion capture, as well as possible augmented reality applications. The outcome of this research can be the cornerstone in the development of the methodology for rehabilitation, whether the collected information is used in the present for maintenance or for ensuring a posterity record in case of destruction. This track involves the development of rigorous research-intensive approaches that might also serve for a broader purpose: over time, and it may become the primary means by which experts and the public capture a site that has since changed radically or been destroyed.

Research track (2): Building Sustainability Simulation: research objectives focus on building simulation to assess the impact of design, rehabilitation and retrofit options using computer-assisted approaches. This track goes beyond the research from modelling heritage buildings to assess the potential for cost-effective retrofits to achieve long-term sustainability. Required interventions (new materials, design retrofits, etc.) that consider deep energy retrofit in order to safeguard both environmental and heritage values will be investigated. The outcome of this research has permitted to employ appropriate interventions that prevent both the damage to architectural heritage elements and slow the accelerated decay of existing buildings. Proposed methodologies applied to assess operating energy use, embodied energy, the potential impact on the heritage of energy efficiency-based interventions, the adaptation of energy and green building rating systems, etc.

Research track (3): Building Rehabilitation: this track focuses on building condition assessments (building envelope, materials deterioration and structural integrity), designing monitoring strategies and the implementation of effective rehabilitation mitigation strategies for their conservation. This track involves the development of innovative approaches for the timely identification of decay, deterioration, and mitigation of defects, to help prevent significant consequential damage. Systems based techniques such as the use of standardized condition terminology and graphic representation, modelling and analysis (identification of types of deterioration, determination of load paths, collapse through stability or strength), finite element modelling, macro and micro modelling, geometric considerations, and material heterogeneity will be utilized. Another critical component of this module is monitoring the effect of using new materials in the rehabilitation of existing buildings, mainly where new materials are considered for strengthening the structure. This is a new area, both from materials perspective as well as its use and monitoring of its compatibility.

Furthermore, exploring engineering monitoring systems will enable public authorities, owners and site managers to ascertain that maintenance is carried out regularly. This research track will also bridge with tracks 1 and 2, specifically in need of a systematic collection of information during the regular inspections (monitoring of the state of repair) as it becomes possible to compare and monitor the constructional condition of the cultural heritage “stock.” As part of the outcome of the investigations, statistical data can also be used as a management tool.

Research track (4): Ethics for Heritage Recording Specialist developing and implementing workflows for acquiring information relevant to the rehabilitation and conservation of heritage places. This track builds on the research conducted at the Getty Conservation Institute. It seeks to develop a framework for this professional field.

Representative Publications

Graduate Student Openings

Graduate students (MASc, M.A. (Architecture) or PhD) with a background in conservation of built heritage, 3D modeling, civil engineering, building science are needed to pursue research in the listed research tracks. Please contact Prof. Santana if you have the above background and are interested in researching these tracks. Co-supervision by another professor in CEE, Architecture or another department (e.g., Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) is also a possibility. The right candidates will be given the opportunity to work on important problems with significant impact on industry, the opportunity to work with industry partners, and competitive compensation. Along with opportunities to work abroad in hands-on international projects.

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