Research

Image: Matt Van Geffen (2012) Byker Re-generation Hub - Master of Architecture year two. RIBA Postgraduate Hadrian Medal 2012 Nominee.

Architecture and the Built Environment is an essential part of the modern world. From architecture, urban design, and global construction economics, to sustainability, building information modelling, and virtual realisation, the department’s research combines pioneering technology and unique industry partnerships while addressing issues with international impact.

Prospective PhD students: Opportunities to carry out postgraduate research towards an MPhil/PhD or MSc by research exist in all the areas identified above. For further information visit our list of staff and their research areas page.

Visiting scholars: We welcome visiting academics - please contact Professor Ruth Dalton

To access research outputs in this area and others, please visit Northumbria Research Link.

You can view all of the Architecture and Built Environment courses available at Northumbria University and uncover the amazing research opportunities our programs provide.


Click each research area below to find out more about our work:

Civil Engineering: Heritage and Future

Using modern techniques to understand existing engineering achievements both ancient and recent, and using this understanding to determine how we create, sustain and value civil engineering infrastructure for the future.

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Sustainable Construction Futures

The Sustainable Construction Futures (SCF) group engages internationally leading academics and researchers in addressing wider issues in the construction industry by developing socio-technical innovative solutions. Our interrelated themes directly align with industry challenges at micro-, meso and macro levels – ranging from small-scale solutions and regional challenges to global strategic issues affecting sector performance.

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DigiBE - Digital Built Environment

The DigiBE group aims to address the major challenges of the built environment through applications of state-of-the-art digital technologies. However, the research undertaken by this group is not just technology-centric but also aims to develop innovative processes that could be facilitated by digital technologies. The research group’s work spans a wide spectrum of research topics impacting design, construction, operations, and management.

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Adaptation, Value, and the Built Environment (AVBE)

The AVBE research cluster investigates urban, land and property systems across the full building life cycle (inclusive of financial viability, design, planning and development, property management and redevelopment). Recognising that the majority of the built environment already exists, it has a track record in understanding how urban locations, land and property market systems evolve and function over time.

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Design Research Group

The Design Research Group incorporates theoretical and design research, scholarship, and professional practice. It uses design based and transdisciplinary thinking that crosses scales, from artefacts to rooms to cities, from the individual to collective life. It addresses global grand challenges on the environment, urbanisation, digitalisation, wellbeing, health and social justice.

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People and Place

The People and Place (P&P) research cluster investigates the interactions between people and the built environment in the context of place. P&P is positioned at the cross-boundary between architecture, urban design, planning and the social sciences. Recognising the diversity of values around the built environment, the group seeks to engage with the social, economic, physical and cultural fabric of a place.

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Building Information Management

Building Information Management (BIM) is a process involving the structured sharing and coordination of digital information about built assets through their entire lifecycles, from design through procurement and construction and beyond, into operation and management.

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Faculty Education Research Group

This cross-disciplinary group supports educational and pedagogic research, ranging from small projects with an immediate impact on the student experience, through to funded collaborative projects with external partners generating high impact outputs.

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Architecture and Built Environment

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