Research
Our research has grown significantly in scope and reputation since our inception in 2005 and we are now regarded as one of the strongest teachers of architecture in the UK.
Following the most recent Research Excellence Framework, in which 88% of our research and 100% of our research environment was judged to be world-leading or internationally-excellent, Architecture and Design at Kent was ranked 6th for research quality by Times Higher Education.
World-leading experts
Our lecturers are respected practitioners within the field. Many are active researchers who contribute to contemporary debate through their publications.
Taking the heat out of outdoor play
Kent researchers awarded £1.5m from UKRI to save school playtime from the impact of climate change.
Meet Dr Silvio Caputo: reconnecting with urban farming
Research into how cultivating crops and livestock in urban environments can help us, our food systems, and the planet.
Regional architects gather on campus to address the climate crisis
Over 100 local architects and students headed to the Canterbury campus to address the role their sector has to play in tackling the climate crisis.
Research centre
Centre for Architecture and Sustainable Environment
The Centre for Architecture and Sustainable Environment (CASE) aims to promote research in the field of sustainable design regionally, nationally and internationally.
Our research
We conduct high-quality research across the whole field of architectural investigation. We have established exciting new directions in both the history and theory of architecture and in sustainable urban, peri-urban and environmental design.
We organise high-profile, international conferences and workshops and we are active in public policy and development of professional guidelines through our work with amenity societies and voluntary organisations as well professional bodies.
Our areas of expertise include:
- sustainable design
- architectural theory and criticism
- building technologies
- digital architecture
- urban design
- landscape studies
- experience of space.
Research projects: putting theory into practice
Our research projects have attracted substantial funding from sources such as the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board. We also have active links with organisations including the Architectural Humanities Research Association, Turner Contemporary, V&A and the Twentieth Century Society.
Our academic staff have made significant contributions to real-world applications. Professor Henrik Schoenefeldt was appointed to lead a refurbishment of the ventilation system at the Houses of Parliament, and Professor Marialena Nikolopoulou's research into outdoor thermal comfort has influenced understanding of the topic across the world.
Visit our people page to discover more about our academic staff, their interests and activities, and how to contact them.