Resource-Led Architecture: Industry 5.0 Technologies for Circular Material Futures in the Built Environment

About the research project

The construction sector faces increasing pressure to reduce resource consumption, embodied carbon and construction waste. Reclaimed, recycled and upcycled materials offer significant opportunities for a more circular built environment but remain difficult to integrate into conventional design and construction processes due to challenges associated with material variability, uncertainty and availability. Emerging Industry 5.0 technologies, including artificial intelligence, computer vision, digital material inventories and human-AI collaborative design systems, offer new opportunities to identify, catalogue, evaluate and design with these material resources in ways that were previously impractical.

This project explores how architects and designers can utilise these technologies to work with available material resources as a starting point for design rather than treating material selection as a downstream activity. In particular, the research will investigate how human-in-the-loop digital and physical design environments can support more informed, creative and performance-driven engagement with reclaimed material stocks

The project will develop and test new workflows that combine material detection, digital knowledge systems, AI-assisted decision-making, design optimisation and fabrication processes. Through a combination of design-led research, computational and physical prototyping, and multi-criteria performance evaluation, the research will examine how digital technologies can help connect available material resources with architectural design outcomes.

Rather than viewing reclaimed materials as constraints to be overcome, the research will explore how their characteristics can become active drivers of design thinking, informing architectural form, performance and construction. The project is particularly interested in the ways human expertise, intelligent digital systems and physical material environments can operate together in continuous feedback loops, enabling new approaches to circular construction and architectural practice.

Ultimately, the research seeks to advance resource-led, performance-based architectural design enabled by Industry 5.0 technologies, contributing to more sustainable, resilient and adaptable approaches to the built environment.

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Peter Booth

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Applications are open to applicants from Architecture, Architectural Technology, Design, Construction, Engineering, Computational Design, Built Environment, or a closely related discipline.

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

• Demonstrated Experience with digital design tools and platforms relevant to architecture and design, such as parametric modelling, computational design, digital fabrication, simulation or performance optimisation-based design workflows.
• Experience in integrating Generative Ai within operational workflows
• Demonstrated interest in sustainable design, circular economy, material reuse, low-carbon construction, or related built environment challenges.

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Experience with computational design platforms such as Grasshopper, Rhino, Dynamo, Python, Processing or similar environments.
• Experience with digital fabrication technologies, including CNC machining, robotic fabrication, additive manufacturing or advanced manufacturing workflows.

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Peter Booth to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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