The research unit Design Theory and Architectural Practice combines all scientific activities in which the architectural practice and design methodology are central. The cell aims at conducting scientific research, valorising this research into education (by means of workshops and master dissertations), translating and communicating these research results to the public by means of reports, publications, exhibitions.
There is no strict division between the distinct research areas of the cell, although two research lines can be identified. First, it concerns research and design assignments resulting from a specific assignment or quotation request. This type of research is organised ad hoc, depending on the assignment and according to various scale levels – ranging from the broad region (town and country planning) to the building materials (material research and product development). In this, research is primarily tailored to the intermediate scale levels. In parallel and interwoven with the aforementioned, there is also a methodological part in which the design and the way in which the design formulations can be dealt with, are put to reflection.
Through the cell, the design practice is being imbedded in an academic research context. There is a strong interrelationship between this practice-oriented research and the fundamental research of the other research cells, given that the research expertise of the latter is deployed in practice–oriented research.
Members of the research unit
- Autonomous academic staff:
Stéphane Beel, Guy Chatel, Dirk De Meester, Ronald De Meyer and Firmin Mees. - Assistant professors:
Maarten Van Den Driessche. - Assistants and research staff with doctoral project:
Ruben Verstraeten, Pieter Pauwels, Valerie Van Belleghem and Tine Jonckheere.
Research topics
- Theory of Design: Design Methodologies & Architectural Typology: the architectural programme, the typology and the architectural design of semi-public buildings such as cultural buildings (theatres, museums …) and schools and the reuse of historic monuments for public functions.
- AIM (Architectural Information Modelling) – Knowledge Based Building Design Tools Ergonomics and Universal Design.