About – ADRL – Architecture Design Research Lab

The Architectural Design Research Lab is housed within the Department of Architecture at IVS to pursue and lead in innovative research pertaining to the design of the built environment.

It seeks to promote discourse and dialogue ranging from the practice of design pedagogy to the practice of built design.

The built environment today is a direct expression of the human occupation of the planet that has led to significant changes in natural cycles. It refers to both the negative impact caused by most human cultural practices, exceedingly dictated by capitalist economic factors in the last century instead of ecologically, climatically and socially just practices. The solution to this problem lies in understanding the environmental, geographical and social diversity of the region. This knowledge is deemed extremely valuable, and it extends across disciplines that study various phenomena that form the tangible and intangible factors of the built environment. Using research as the bedrock, these various discourses can actively guide the design process. This knowledge production process for design then not only requires an interaction and collaboration between academics, theorists, researchers, practitioners, and students from within the field of design (Architecture) but also across all disciplines of knowledge. More specifically, it requires a focus on knowledge specific to our region to capture its diversity in all its forms.

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

ADRL’s intent is to act as a collaborative platform of research, teaching, mentoring and advocacy. It strives to function as a platform to bring together theorists, academics, practitioners, researchers, public and private stakeholders and students to produce interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and trans-disciplinary knowledge pertaining to the design of the built environment – focusing on the local and extending into the global.

1. To increase ‘grassroot’ research.

2. To create/produce original knowledge of the region. Research Capacity Building to inspire research into, for and through design.

3. Create networks to enable cross-disciplinary design research.

4. Create Sustainable design practices.

5. Create funding opportunities.

6. Create research opportunities.

7. Engage with the larger public to create awareness and dialogue/discourse about sustainable design practices.