Spotlight On…

Dr Emmanouil (Manos) Perisoglou, Co-investigator, Cardiff University

What’s your current role at your institution?

I am a Chartered Engineer and a Senior Lecturer in Architectural Science at Cardiff University’s Welsh School of Architecture, where I also serve as Technical Lead for the Centre for a Low Carbon Built Environment. My work focuses on understanding how buildings perform in practice and how we can use evidence to create more sustainable, comfortable and resilient homes. Alongside research, I lead the Environmental Design of Buildings MSc Course and work closely with industry, housing providers and policymakers to help address some of the challenges associated with delivering low-carbon housing.

Which past experiences have helped you the most in your current role?

My background combines renewable energy systems, building performance evaluation and applied research. Throughout my career, I have been involved in monitoring real buildings, analysing performance data and assessing how technologies perform under real-world conditions. These experiences have shaped my belief that effective housing solutions must be informed by evidence rather than assumptions. Understanding how homes actually work for the people living in them is essential if we are to make informed decisions and deliver meaningful, lasting improvements.

What excites you about the research in the Transforming Homes project?

What excites me most about the Transforming Homes project is its commitment to generating robust evidence that can inform better housing decisions through co-design with residents. What motivates me is seeing research move beyond reports and models to make a real difference in people’s homes and everyday lives. The project brings together researchers, housing professionals and communities to explore how homes can be improved in ways that are both practical and impactful. I am particularly interested in translating research findings into solutions that can be applied at scale while remaining focused on the needs and experiences of residents. For me, the transition to net zero is not simply a technical challenge; it is a responsibility we all share, both for ourselves and for future generations. Projects such as Transforming Homes provide an opportunity to support that transition through research that delivers tangible benefits to people and communities.

How is your expertise contributing to the Transforming Homes project?

Within the project, I contribute expertise in building performance evaluation through monitoring and modelling, as well as in the assessment and selection of building systems and technologies. By combining measured data from homes with advanced simulation techniques, I help evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions and support informed decision making. This work helps ensure that recommendations are technically robust, practical to implement and capable of delivering long-term benefits for both residents and the wider housing sector.