Month: March 2019

  • Can we design truly ‘zero carbon’ buildings?

    Can we design truly ‘zero carbon’ buildings?

    At the end of 2018, after repeated advice by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the European Commission called for a climate neutral Europe by 2050. For the construction industry achieving this will be particularly problematic. Not only is it the industry responsible for the highest percentage of global emissions, it already has exceptionally high […]

  • Architectural Innovation in Energy Systems

    Architectural Innovation in Energy Systems

    Electricity systems underpin much of everyday life in the city.  As urban populations expand, become more affluent and carbon reduction targets ramp up it is likely that such systems will need to change considerably over the coming years.  Here many commenters argue that wholesale transitions to low carbon robust electricity systems are needed.  However, as […]

  • The design thinking of children

    The design thinking of children

    One may argue that we are all natural designers. From very young age, we are designing: we are looking around us with a critical eye, we develop opinions about things and spaces that we like or dislike, we are dreaming about a better future, but also we experiment and make things that could make our […]

  • Engaging children in design

    Engaging children in design

    As part of a research project that aims to explore the processes of empowering people to design (www.empoweringdesign.net), the research team has occasionally explored different ways for engaging the children of participating families in the design of community spaces. This typically occurs in workshops and open day events where children of adult participants engage in […]

  • Bauhaus 100

    Bauhaus 100

    The Bauhaus –one of the world’s most influential art and design schools – was established by Walter Gropius in Weimar, Germany in 1919 and this year the centenary of its foundation is being celebrated in Germany and many other countries. Beginning in Weimar, relocated to Dessau in 1925 and closed in Berlin under pressure from […]

  • PhD opportunities through the Energy DTA

    PhD opportunities through the Energy DTA

    OU Energy research opportunities through the Alliance DTA3 PhD Fellowship Programme.   The Open University (OU) is a partner on the successful bid for the ‘Extended University Alliance Doctoral Training Alliances (DTA) in Energy, Applied Biosciences for Health and Social Policy called The DTA3 COFUND Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhD Fellowship Programme. This is funded under the Horizon […]