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Research
Research activities reflect developments and trends in the modern building industryWe are the top modern university in London for world-leading and internationally excellent research in General Engineering, which includes The Built Environment and Architecture research - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.
The wide range of research activities in our School, together with the mix of academic staff, post-doctoral research fellows and visiting professors, allows us to offer a stimulating and diverse environment. Research interests underpin all academic activities, our services to external organisations and the range of well-respected courses on offer.
We continue to attract new members of research-active staff who have their own personally established track record of interests that complement our existing expertise. The well-established links we have with universities, government departments and institutions from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the developing world allow us fruitful exchanges of ideas. We regularly invite international visiting scholars to present to students and these contacts are important in creating a diverse student environment that's full of challenging ideas.
Practical application
Our research is both fundamental and applied, gaining knowledge that is put to useful, practical outcomes. Many of our projects collaborate with industry or public bodies and it is important to us that the work is highly relevant to our teaching. Both our undergraduate and postgraduate students hear lectures, case studies, projects and advice from industry guest speakers as a result of our research.
Research Centres and Groups
The School pursues research through the following Research Centres:
Centres
- Centre for Civil and Buildings Services Engineering (CCiBSE)
- Centre for Integrated Delivery of the Built Environment (IDoBE)
Enterprise units
- BIM Centre
- Digital Architecture and Robotic Lab (DARLAB)
- Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in Buildings (CEREB)
Research case studies
- Acoustics research and standards for London Underground
- Architecture Technology research into cutting down on plastic waste
Acoustics Research Group
Head: Stephen Dance
The Acoustics Research Group has a 40-year history of undertaking applied research. We are world leaders in the field of audiology, speech, environmental acoustics and aural architectural design. The Group has access to the Acoustics Laboratory, a nationally leading facility equipped with cutting edge instrumentation. We are building on our collaborations with world leading institutions and organisations, such as Fosters + Partners and the Royal Opera House, to establish a world leading Group in applied research in and the teaching of, the fields of environmental and architectural acoustics.
Digital Architecture and Robotic Lab (DARLAB)
Head: Associate Professor Federico Rossi
The DARLAB research group aims to revolutionise architecture through the seamless combination of digital technologies and physical building processes underpinned by a unique digital robotic fabrication lab housed within the school of Built Environment and Architecture. Our research focuses on subtractive and additive manufacturing technologies used for building non-standardized architectural components with a focus on circular manufacturing. Our aim is to develop criteria for a new system of structural logic which can be applied to architecture and is intrinsic to digital fabrication. Additive fabrication can be described as a three-dimensional printing process. By positioning material precisely where it is required, we can use digital, additive fabrication to interweave functional and aesthetic qualities into a structure. Past and present industry partners include Volkswagen, Quayola, Titan Reality , Southwark Council, Dyson and European Space Agency.
Research into Architectural Innovation and Design
Head: Professor Igea Troiani
Our research supports the development of liveable, productive, and sustainable cities, focusing on the user experience and underpinned by innovation in architectural design. We focus on three areas: 1) the human experience and social purpose of architecture as driving factors for design practice; 2) innovation in design methodologies for architectural education; 3) architectural aesthetics and the development of an authentic identity for mid-21st century architecture. The mission of our group is both to fortify design as a fundamental aspect of architecture and the 21st century city, with an aspiration to engender design in architecture through experimentation and pedagogy, and for our group to be recognised on an international level for its distinct approach to design methodologies.
Research degree programmes
Our research groups offer some exciting doctoral research programmes and Master’s courses through research. The wide range of research activities in the School, together with the mix of academic staff, post-doctoral research fellows and visiting professors, allows us to offer a stimulating and diverse postgraduate environment. Read more about Research Degrees at LSBU.