Hector Archila Santos

Dr Hector Archila Santos serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Environment and Technology at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), operating at the critical intersection of industry and academia to address climate and ecological emergencies through UN Sustainable Development Goals frameworks.

His educational credentials include a Bachelor of Architecture (BArch), Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management (PGDPM), PhD, and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). His research centers on climate-neutral biobased materials development, with expertise spanning Materials Science, Circular Economy, Digital Engineering, and Data Science. He investigates how Big Data, 3D photogrammetry, VR/AR, and Life Cycle Assessment databases can enable wider adoption of bamboo, timber, and other natural materials in construction.

With extensive practical experience, he has led two international architecture/engineering consultancies and overseen 30+ low-carbon builds integrating conventional materials with bamboo, timber, earth, and straw. Current work focuses on developing economically viable bio-based construction solutions through disruptive business models and circular economy principles, supported by collaborations with the Centre for Architecture and Built Environment Research, Universities of Bath and Coventry, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, and ISO standardization bodies.