- Faculty of Engineering & design

Architecture & Civil Engineering
image of building

Information

Department of ARCHITECTURE & CIVIL ENGINEERING

Introduction

The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering brings together the related disciplines of Architecture and Civil Engineering. It has an interdisciplinary approach to research, encompassing the fields of Architectural History and Theory, Architectural and Structural Conservation, Lightweight Structures, Hydraulics and Earthquake Engineering and Dynamics. In the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise the Department was awarded a grade 5.

The dominant philosophy in the joint Department is to develop postgraduate programmes and engage in research where integration between the disciplines is likely to be most valuable. Research is carried out in collaboration with other departments in the University, particularly Management, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Psychology.

Main areas of research specialisms

The promotion of collaborative research between Architecture and Civil Engineering is fundamental to our research. There are three interdisciplinary research groups: the Centre for Advanced Studies in Architecture (CASA), the BRE-sponsored Centre in Innovative Construction Materials (BRE CICM) and the Engineering and Design of Environments Research Unit (EDE). Closely associated with the Department is the industrially-funded Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT). Current research includes:

CASA
  • Renaissance history and theory
  • contemporary architectural theory
  • Roman architecture
  • computer tools for urban design
  • architectural conservation
  • computer modelling of historic buildings and sites
  • urban environment and sustainability
BRE CICM
  • advanced composites in construction
  • natural fibre composite materials
  • low carbon cements
  • innovative timber and masonry engineering
  • natural building materials
  • unfired masonry construction
  • traditional construction materials
  • geotextiles in construction
  • structural glass
EDE
  • building acoustics
  • thermal comfort and urban microclimate
  • environmental modelling
  • rational use of energy in the built environment
  • combined use of natural and electric lighting in buildings
  • sustainable infrastructure design
  • façade engineering
  • fire performance
  • computational fluid dynamics
  • coastal and offshore engineering
  • wave energy converters
  • wind interaction with structures
Facilities and equipment

Among the facilities available to postgraduates are:

International and industrial links

The Department has numerous links with international academic institutions and industrial organisations. Around 50% of research postgraduates are from outside the UK.