Pablo Martinez Alcaraz
Creating smarter systems from a human-centred perspective
Delft, The Netherlands
About
I'm a PhD candidate in Architectural Technology at TU Delft, Department of Architectural Engineering and Technology. My research focuses on understanding human preferences for responsive building controls, exploring how occupants can better inform smart systems.
I bring a multidisciplinary perspective to technology and buildings. With training in energy systems and industrial engineering, I've developed a deep understanding of how humans relate to the built environment. This background informs my work: I believe that smart systems should serve human needs and values, not the reverse.
My consultancy expertise spans HVAC design and control, building services integration, and predictive maintenance planning.
Research
My doctoral research at TU Delft explores how occupant preferences can inform the design and operation of responsive building systems. I investigate how people perceive and use smart controls, which factors shape comfort and acceptance, and how building automation can become more adaptive, transparent, and human-centred.
Core themes
- Human-value alignment in smart systems
- Occupant-centric building controls
- Human-building interaction and experience
- Sustainable energy transitions with occupant engagement
- Smart HVAC systems and thermal comfort
Publications
Selected publications from my research. For citations and additional details, visit my Google Scholar profile.
Photovoltaic panels diffusion in Switzerland: understanding adopters profiles using clustering methods
Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 56, 100995, 2025
Interface design for lighting and shading controls: device type, position, and system cues influencing user preference and acceptance
Building and Environment, 114439, 2025
Personalised Building Controls Based on Individual Thermal Preferences for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort
International Association of Building Physics, 203-210, 2024
What is the net PV energy production in Switzerland and how can we maximize it?
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2600 (4), 042013, 2023
The 35-35 energy equation: understanding Switzerland's goal of 35 TWh renewable energy in 2035 through the lens of cumulative energy demand
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 3140 (3), 032001, 2024
Research Profiles
Projects
Selected consultancy and professional work in building services and renovations.
Circuito Ricardo Tormo VIP Box Renovation
HVAC Design & Photovoltaic Integration
Complete HVAC design and renewable energy integration for the VIP box renovation at Circuito Ricardo Tormo (Valencia). Project scope exceeded 2 million euros. Responsibilities included load calculations, system design, control strategy development, and integration of photovoltaic panels for energy efficiency.
Palacio de Congresos de Albacete HVAC Remodelling
HVAC System Upgrade & Solar Integration
HVAC system remodelling and solar panel installation for Palacio de Congresos de Albacete, addressing structural water damage and modernising building services. Project budget exceeded 2 million euros. Work included system design, thermal performance optimisation, and renewable energy strategy.
Awards & Funding
TU Delft Climate Action Seed Fund (2024)
€20,000
Energy-Wise Archetypes: A Web-Based Tool to Encourage Users in Responsible Climate-adaptive Behaviors
Our project aims to develop a web-based tool that assesses individual preferences for indoor environmental quality—such as temperature, lighting, acoustics, and air quality—in relation to energy efficiency by creating Energy-Wise Archetypes using artificial intelligence. By providing users with immediate feedback on how their preferences impact energy consumption compared to others, the tool seeks to raise awareness and promote behavioral change toward more energy-efficient and healthy indoor environments. The projected impact is to encourage energy-conscious behaviors among building occupants and to inform the design of occupant-centric building control systems that optimize both energy efficiency and occupant well-being, leading to significant reductions in energy consumption and contributing to climate action goals.
Swiss European Mobility Programme (SEMP) (2022)
2,200 CHF
The Swiss Programme for Erasmus+ for higher education, known as the Swiss-European Mobility Programme SEMP, provides Swiss higher education institutions with funding to support students as well as teaching and administrative staff undertaking study, training, or teaching mobility abroad.
Quedate Programme UPV (2019)
Universitat Politècnica de València
This programme rewards students and graduates selected for both their academic record and their training in transversal competencies, helping them enter the labour market. The Universitat Politècnica de València connects these university talents with HR managers from major companies. This is a pioneering initiative among Spanish public universities.
Contact
I'm interested in collaborating on research, consultancy, and projects at the intersection of human-centred design and smart systems. Whether you're exploring occupant-centric building controls, conducting research, or working on industrial HVAC, I'd be happy to connect.