The RIBA promotes research and innovation to advance the knowledge base of the profession by encouraging interaction between practitioners and researchers, by facilitating debate, and by helping disseminate research outcomes.
The Research and Development department firmly supports the RIBA's mission|, vision and strategy, and relates particularly to several objectives from the mission statement|.
What is Architectural research?
Architectural Research: Three Myths And One Model
This paper from the RIBA's Research and Development Committee represents its current thinking. The aim of this paper is to provoke further discussion on the issue of architectural research in order to promote a wider debate.
A version of this paper is also available on RIBApedia - the Architectural Research Wiki at
www.ribapedia.com| where changes and comments can be made.
Research news
The RIBA announced the shortlist for the annual RIBA President's Awards for Research| 2008.
This successful award scheme was developed by the RIBA Research & Development Department in 2005 to reward and encourage outstanding research in architecture carried out by PhD students, academics and practitioners.
It was awarded for the first time in November 2006 to both PhD students and academics for their exceptional contribution to research in architecture. From 2007 three RIBA President's Awards for Research are given annually:
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RIBA President's Award for Research – Outstanding PhD thesis
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RIBA President's Award for Research – Outstanding University-located research
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RIBA President's Award for Research – Outstanding professional practice-located Research
In 2008, 12 pieces were selected for the final stage of judging in three categories:
PhD thesis
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'Oral Towns' by Gil P Klein, University of Cambridge
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'The Aesthetics of Emergence' by Pia Ednie-Brown, RMIT University
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'The Inhabitable Flesh of Architecture' by Marcos Cruz, Bartlett School of Architecture
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'A Whirl of Wonders' by Josephine Kane, Bartlett School of Architecture
University-located research
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'Architecture and the Special Relationship' by Murray Fraser, University of Westminster
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'Architecture and Music in Renaissance Venice' by Deborah Howard, University of Cambridge
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'Thinkers for Architects' by Adam Sharr, Cardiff University
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'Fabrikformwork' by Alan Chandler, University of East London
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'The Blossoming of Perspective' by Penelope Haralambidou, Bartlett School of Architecture
Professional practice-located research
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'National College for Schools Leadership Programme Support' by Andrew Harrison, DEGW
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'160 Tooley Street' by Ian McArdle, AHMM
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'The ZEDbook' by Bill Dunster, ZEDfactory
All entries were assessed in terms of how they contribute new knowledge and understanding to architecture, in terms of originality, significance and rigour. The winning pieces must be regarded as an exceptional contribution to architectural knowledge.
RIBA President's Awards for Research winners will be notified in November 2008. Certificates will be awarded to winners at a ceremony celebrating Education and Research Awards on 24 April 2009 at the RIBA HQ in London. For more details visit RIBA President's Awards for Research|.
Departmental aims
The Research & Development Department aims to act as effective matchmaker between:
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those with a research capability, such as practices, schools of architecture, other academic institutions and research institutions
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those with a need for research, such as government, commercial organisations, professional groups, industry, practices, charities and representational groups
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those with funds for research, such as research councils and funding bodies, national government funding sources, EU and other international governmental funding sources, industry, commerce and representational groups.
Our other main aim is to:
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publish, encourage publication and otherwise disseminate and implement the outcomes of research for both applied and academic purposes.
The RIBA will take the lead role in instigating, managing and strategically undertaking research in its own name and in partnership with others as appropriate.