PhD in Architecture & Design Research

The PhD in Architecture & Design Research program offers five distinct research tracks that address contemporary challenges in architecture and design. Overall, these research areas are vital for advancing architectural knowledge, improving the built environment, and addressing the multifaceted challenges of contemporary society.

1. Material & Design Computation

Investigating the potential for innovative material strategies that offer new formal and spatial possibilities. Primary means of investigations are facilitated through manual and computational design approaches, involving examination of existing theory, geometric explorations and prototyping from partial to full scale mock-ups. Acknowledging the broad and rapid societal, environmental and technological changes that are impacting the built environment, this track aims to develop innovative design approaches and tools to tackle these challenges.

Core Faculty:

• Kihong Ku
• Mohammed Malawna

Associated Faculty:

• Loukia Tsafoulia
• Severino Alfonso
• Gulbin Ozcan-Deniz
• Roberto Rodriguez
• Evan Pruitt
• Andrew Hart
• Gulbin Ozcan-Deniz
• Peng Du
• Edgar Stach
• Marcia Weiss
• Brian George

2. Sustainable Building Practice & Technology

At the intersection of architecture, building science and engineering, this track investigates questions of environmental sustainability and performance in the design and construction of buildings across a range of issues, including physical, material, geometric and ‘soft’ performance issues, such as user comfort. This is an emerging discipline in architecture, building science and technology.

Core Faculty:

• Edgar Stach
• Kim Zamora
• Gulbin Ozcan-Deniz

Associated Faculty:

• Rob Fryer
• Chris Harnish
• Craig Griffen,
• Kihong Ku

3. Smart, Resilient, Healthy Cities

Bringing together the disciplines of architecture, urban design, geospatial technology, population health, engineering and design, this track investigates the transformation of urban environments into sustainable, resilient and healthy cities, supported by data and smart technologies in the age of climate change. Students have the opportunity to work within the Institute for Smart and Healthy Cities on cutting edge research questions and investigations.

Core Faculty:

• Edgar Stach
• Peng Du

Associated Faculty:

• Tod Corlett
• Rob Fryer
• Barbara Klinkhammer
• James Querry
• Troy Hannigan
• Kim Zamora

4. Health & Design

Employing evidence-based research approaches, this track focuses on understanding and designing at the intersection of health, culture, society and space to enhance the wellbeing of communities and individuals through design interventions. Investigations occur at the building, community and urban scales, and include design for aging populations, neurodiverse populations, inclusive design, humanitarian design in developing countries and health-based projects.

Core Faculty:

• Chris Harnish
• Russ McIntyre
• David Kratzer

Associated Faculty:

• Martha Anez
• Lauren Baumbach
• Lisa Phillips
• Kim Douglas
• Chitsanzo Lamba-Isaac
• Evan Pruitt
• Craig Griffen
• Rob Fryer
• Susan Frosten
• Loukia Tsafoulia
• Severino Alfonso

5. History, Theory & Historic Preservation

This track focuses on the history and theory of art and architecture, science and technology, and extends into pedagogy for architecture. Research investigations explore and interpret the political, historical, social, cultural and technological context of design, as well as apply theories to the practice of architecture and pedagogy.

Core Faculty:

• David Breiner
• Grace Ong Yan
• Suzanne Singletary

Associated Faculty:

• Susan Frosten
• Barbara Klinkhammer
• Kim Douglas
• Evan Pruitt
• Andrew Hart
• Loukia Tsafoulia
• Severino Alfonso