By promoting critical design research and professional practice within architecture we can address some of the grand challenges facing society and the planet.
Our research group brings together experts working in creative practice, practice-based and practice-led design research and research related to the practice of architecture and scholarship within architectural pedagogy and practice.
Together we explore the intersections of academic and professional domains; architectural agency and the shape of the architectural profession; and the shifting landscape of architectural research, education and professional development. By connecting original, rigorous academic research to external communities of practice in the wider construction industry, we influence design change and impact within architecture.
Projects
Meet the team
Lead members
Dr Federico Wulff
Reader (Associate Professor) in Architectural Design. MA AD Course Director. MArch BE Year 1 Leader
Academic staff
Dr Juan Usubillaga Narvaez
Lecturer in Urban Design / Teaching Associate in Urban Design and Planning
Postgraduate students
Publications
- Balzano, B. et al. 2021. Enhanced concrete crack closure with hybrid shape memory polymer tendons. Engineering Structures 226 111330. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111330)
- Clark, S. 2022. Being in-between: a multi-sited ethnography of retirement housing. In: Mason, A. and Sharr, A. eds. Creative Practice Inquiry in Architecture. Routledge. , pp.88-99.
- Clark, S. 2022. Inside retirement housing: Designing, developing and sustaining later lifestyles. Bristol: Policy Press.
- Clark, S. 2019. Tweaking retirement-living: Introducing design thinking & coffee bars to shared lounges. In: Rodgers, P. A. ed. Design Research for Change. Lancaster University. , pp.59-77.
- Forster, W. 2019. RESPITE - Residential housing for special needs care. [Physical output (new building)]
- Forster, W. 2019. RIGHTSIZING - Slim down and start up housing - new build. Project Report.
- Green, E. 2021. Homes for future generations. Seven short essays: in search of better homes and places. Project Report.Cardiff University.
- Green, E. and Lannon, S. 2024. Homes of today for tomorrow: Decarbonising Welsh housing between 2020 and 2050. Stage 4: Retrofit in practice. Technical Report.
- Green, E. et al. 2020. Decarbonising the Welsh housing stock: from practice to policy. Buildings and Cities 1 (1), pp.277-292. (10.5334/bc.19)
- Gwilliam, J. and O'Dwyer, S. 2021. Delivering sustainable design excellence: the potential role of holistic building performance evaluation. Architectural Science Review 64 (1-2), pp.47-55. (10.1080/00038628.2020.1825319)
- Kasem, M. , Clark, S. and Sakellariou, D. 2023. Designing for disabled people: exploring inclusive design in architectural education. Charrette 9 (1), pp.255-270.
- McVicar, M. 2020. 'Engender the confidence to demand better?: the value of architects in community asset transfers. Architectural Design 90 (4), pp.46-51. (10.1002/ad.2589)
- McVicar, M. 2020. Gathering-in-action: the activation of a civic space. Architecture and Culture 8 (3-4), pp.468-483. (10.1080/20507828.2020.1798164)
- McVicar, M. 2019. Precision in architecture: Certainty, ambiguity and deviation. Abingdon and New York: Routledge. (10.4324/9781315222639)
- McVicar, M. , Soleman, M. and Nekeb, S. 2023. Community consultation for quality of life in Wales. Project Report.[Online].Cardiff: Quality of Life Foundation. Available at: https://www.qolf.org/wp-content/uploads/CCQOL_Wales-National-Report-compressed.pdf.
- Megahed, Y. 2022. Is the mosque a male-dedicated building?! A Critical View on Women Praying Space in Contemporary Mosque Design. In: The Mosque: a Cross-cultural Building. Kuwait City: Abdullatif al fozan award for mosque architecture, college of architecture | Kuwait university. , pp.499-517.
- Megahed, Y. 2021. On normative architecture. Notes on the domination of the technical-rational mode of thinking on mainstream architectural production: a historical highlight. Materia Arquitectura 19 , pp.98-103.
- Megahed, Y. 2020. Practiceopolis: Stories from the architectural profession. London: Routledge. (10.4324/9780367853341)
- Megahed, Y. 2022. Storying Practiceopolis. In: Mason, A. and Sharr, A. eds. Creative Practice Inquiry in Architecture. London: Routledge. , pp.52-63. (10.4324/9781003174295-9)
- Ntzani, D. and Banteli, A. 2023. Strange encounters: Creativity as a state of alterity in the early stages of design learning. Charrette 9 (1), pp.77-96.
- Patel, H. 2023. Developing new concepts for university spaces using design-research approach. In: Kohlert, C. ed. Human(e) Education: Helping People to Healthy Educational Institutions. Springer Vieweg. , pp.391-400. (10.1007/978-3-658-39863-7_20)
- Patel, H. 2022. The co-evolution of pedagogy and learning spaces for a better student experience. Earley, UK: SUMS Consulting. Available at: https://sums.org.uk/app/uploads/2022/02/SUMS-Briefing-Paper-The-Co-Evolution-of-Pedagogy-and-Learning-Spaces-February-2022.pdf.
- Patel, H. and Green, S. D. 2020. Beyond the performance gap: reclaiming building appraisal through archival research. Building Research and Information 48 (5), pp.469-484. (10.1080/09613218.2019.1672517)
- Wulff, F. 2020. The restoration of the Oratory of the Partal Palace and the House of Astasio de Bracamonte in the Alhambra of Granada, Spain. Project Report.Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Wulff, F. 2021. The restoration of the Oratory of the Partal Palace in the Alhambra of Granada, Grand Prix Europa Nostra 2019. Built Heritage 5 7. (10.1186/s43238-021-00026-w)
- Wulff, F. , Lecardane, R. and Lascala, P. 2020. Designing intercultural space. A multi-scalar approach in the Albergheria neighbourhood in Palermo. Agathón 7 (10.19229/2464-9309/792020)
- Wulff Barreiro, F. and Brito Gonzalez, O. 2020. The production of intercultural urban landscapes, a multi‑scalar approach: the case of Ballarò, Palermo. URBAN DESIGN International 25 (3), pp.250-265. (10.1057/s41289-020-00126-6)
Next steps
Research that matters
Our research makes a difference to people’s lives as we work across disciplines to tackle major challenges facing society, the economy and our environment.
Postgraduate research
Our research degrees give the opportunity to investigate a specific topic in depth among field-leading researchers.
Our research impact
Our research case studies highlight some of the areas where we deliver positive research impact.