PhD Opportunity: Beyond green facades - integrating natural ecologies and the built environment

PhD Opportunity: Beyond green facades – integrating natural ecologies and the built environment

August 16, 2022
Emily Gregg

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Title: Beyond green facades – integrating natural ecologies and the built environment

Description:

This PhD challenges the status quo of ‘green’ architecture by addressing critical research gaps in the fields of natural ecology and the built environment to develop ecologically-driven architectural/landscape/urban design. By integrating ecological knowledge and understanding, designers can produce urban environments that respond to the critical resource needs of flora and fauna species and the various threats they face, in a way that acknowledges the spatial relationship between buildings and the broader landscape in which the species’ exist. A systematic analysis will be conducted to determine the current state of international best practice for designs that incorporate biodiversity and ecological understanding. Investigations will be undertaken that aim to demonstrate the relevance of innovative design as a significant condition for the repair and regeneration of biodiversity in urban environments and there may be opportunities for industry engagement to support these investigations.

This could include developing approaches for effectively capturing the substantial economic and social co-benefits of the new design paradigm.

Requirements:

The research involved in this PhD would suit a candidate with qualifications and/or professional experience in architecture, landscape architecture or urban design. The candidate must also have a strong interest in, and motivation for, biological conservation – particularly in urban environments.

Knowledge of basic ecological theory is desired, but not required. Strong spatial analysis skills and proficiency with computational techniques of design and visual communication will be beneficial for this candidature.

University: RMIT, with potential for co-supervision at University of Melbourne and Technical University of Munich.

For more information, please contact:

Casey Visintin: casey.visintin@rmit.edu.au Sarah Bekessy: sarah.bekessy@rmit.edu.au Mauro Baracco: mauro@baraccowright.com Georgia Garrard: ggarrard@unimelb.edu.au

Please submit academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae, and a statement of interest to: Casey Visintin: casey.visintin@rmit.edu.au

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Our research, education and service is already in a relationship with Country and the people of Country, here and in all the places we undertake our business. As mostly non-Indigenous people, we acknowledge our obligation in this relationship: to uphold the ngarn-ga [understanding] of Bundjil and practice respect for community and culture. Though there is much we still need to learn, especially about ourselves, we affirm our dhumbali [commitment] to that work. We hold as central to our business dhumbali to a shared future with Indigenous peoples everywhere and especially Kulin Country and peoples.