The School of Architecture & Design is committed to the advancement of environmentally and socially sustainable futures. The built environment, through its design, construction and operation, is now recognised as being one of the most significant contributors to global warming. The School has a long history of research into environmentally sustainable design with several staff actively researching in this area for more than two decades. In particular, research in the School has focused on building life-cycle energy, thermal performance and building environmental rating systems.
Building on this foundation, the School now has a broad research platform exploring the complex inter-relationships between sustainability and design in theory and practice. Current specialisations include social participation, ecological citizenship, health (particularly mental health) and design, sustainable place-making, urban morphology, cultural landscapes and sustainable interiors and furniture.