The Department of Architecture has an international reputation for excellence in research and teaching, for attracting award winning staff and students, and for a wide range of research related activities. As contributors to the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment’s submission to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, our research was placed in the top 50% of the 45 submissions in Architecture, Built Environment and Planning. 20% of its publications and research effort were deemed to be world leading [4*] and 45% internationally excellent [3*]. The four case studies of its research impact also scored very highly. This significant endorsement of our research capability has provided the foundation for expanding and enhancing our UK and international profile. Members of the department are currently participating in a number of significant European and UK grant-funded research projects., collaborating with institutions from around the world. Additionally, Christine Wall, a Reader in Architectural and Construction History, is codirector of ProBE Centre for the Study of the Built Environment, which undertakes innovative interdisciplinary research related to the production of the built environment; and we are also participating in Open Gaza, a collaborative project initiated by Michael Sorkin of New Yorkbased Terreform Studio to map and plan Gaza.
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Descriptions of all of these projects follow in this section of the catalogue. Research in the Department is conducted in five research groups under the overarching umbrella of Architecture and Cities. These are: Architectural History and Theory; Environment and Technology; Expanded Territories; Experimental Practice (EXP); and Representation, Fabrication and Computing. These are loose alignments of staff, research students, designers and practicing architects who undertake joint research initiatives and organise events of common interest. Further information about the activities of these groups during 2015/16 can be found in the next pages. The department has an active PhD programme and an ambitious body of PhD students who are active both inside and outside the University. During 2015/16 we hosted a number of ADAPT-r fellows (Sam Kebbell, Colm Moore, Johannes Torpe, Anna Pla Catala, Hseng Tai Lintner and Dr Maria Veltcheva) and visiting research fellows (Mo Michelsen Stochhholmn Krag and Angelo Maggi) all of whom contributed to the department in various ways. We were pleased to host an inaugural lecture by Michael Sorkin, Visiting Professor in the Department of Architecture, titled ‘City States.’ For more information about these and other aspects of the department’s research activities, visit
http://www.openresearchwestminster.org/