Thesis Development

The Design Research Studio enables students to extend the knowledge gained in the Phase 1 Seminar Courses, Core Studio and associated workshops and experiments, to develop further knowledge and apply acquired skills in an extended design research. Three main fields of design research are offered; Active Material Systems with Advanced Fabrication, Natural Ecological Systems design (currently focused on shorelines and deltas); and Urban Metabolic Design (currently focused on algorithmic design for energetic models of new cities in emergent biomes)

The Design Research Studio is supported by regular seminars, tutorials and specialised consultations in each of these three fields, and by extensive digital archives of basic and applied science and the archive of previous Dissertations and Theses. Students may choose one of the three fields, and will work in small groups that evolve during this term. The Design Research Studio facilitates the development a deeper understanding of Emergence and its application to advanced production in architecture, urbanism and ecological engineering, integrating theoretical discourses, science and the insights gained from experiments. It will develop and refine the ability to analyse complex issues, and enhance capacity to engage in independent research. The Design Research Studio concludes with the presentation of the fully developed Thesis/Dissertation proposal.