Research

We produce innovative and interdisciplinary research that aims to influence behaviour in the field of architecture for the benefit of future generations.

Research at the Kent School of Architecture and Planning has grown significantly in scope and reputation since our inception in 2005 and the School is now regarded as one of the strongest schools 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, the Kent School of Architecture and Planning was ranked 6th for research quality by Times Higher Education.

Architecture and Sustainable Environment

Professor Marialena Nikolopoulou explores the potential of thermal experience as a design tool

Research centres

View looking up on the Bosco Verticale in Milan

Centre for Architecture and Sustainable Environment

Promoting sustainable design regionally, nationally and internationally.

Colourful, textured tiling surface on a building

Centre for Research in European Architecture

Exploring humanistic values and ethical responsibility.

Digital Architecture Research Centre

Focusing on the creative use of digital technologies in architecture.

View of St. Paul's Cathedral from the Millennium Bridge in London

Photo by Kyle Myburgh. Unsplash.

Re-evaluating historic buildings

Changing times, changing styles

Our research: Making a difference

As a School 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.

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.