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In the practice of architecture, the art and science of building environments for human needs, architects strive to design structures that are sound, useful to their inhabitants, and aesthetically pleasing to society—whether starkly monumental in structure (like ancient Stonehenge and the modern skyscraper) or elaborately embellished (like the Parthenon in Greece and Cordoba’s Great Mosque).

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Since prehistoric times, people have created architecture to shelter their activities and to express societal or personal values. Usually the term architecture refers to a building or group of buildings, but the field overlaps with interior design and with landscape and urban design. Many architects agree with the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius (c. 90–c. 20 BCE), who wrote that architecture must be stable, useful, and beautiful. To accomplish this architects must understand (a) how to employ one or more structural systems to support the design, (b) how the design will be used once it is built, and (c) what a client or society will find visually pleasing. Therefore, architects are faced with choices regarding approaches to the building site, available materials, and building technologies.

Prehistoric and Nonurban Architecture

Nomadic humans of the foraging (Paleolithic) era (c. 35,000–8000 BCE) lived in caves and rock shelters, but they also created portable woven architecture—oval huts of vertical poles that were covered with hides or thatched reeds. In the Neolithic era (c. 8000–1500 BCE), herders and farmers erected permanent settlements, including monumental buildings that merged with surrounding landscapes. They crudely quarried large stones (megaliths), moved them by barge and by sled on rollers, and raised them on earthen ramps to create trabeated (or post-and-lintel) structures (dolmens) of vertical columns supporting horizontal beams. The most famous example of such a structure, located on Salisbury Plain, England, is Stonehenge (c. 2750– 1500 BCE), a series of concentric circles probably built to accommodate festivals held by related warrior tribes. The more common dolmen was a sepulchral chamber built of megaliths and buried within an artificial hill, called a cairn.

Little remains of more humble buildings, except their influence on the surviving vernacular architecture of villages around the world, rooted in the myths and traditions of the people. In African Cameroon each Bamileke village has a central open space, chosen as sacred by the ancestors. The adjacent chief’s house, an aggrandized version of the others in the village, has bamboo walls fronted by a porch and sheltered by a thatched conical roof. In Cameroon’s Fali culture, forms, orientation, and dimensions of the ideal human body inspire the design of residential compounds. The Dogon culture of Mali builds men’s assembly houses, open-sided huts in which anthropomorphic wooden pillars, representing the ancestors, support a thick roof of dried vegetation that shades the interior but allows air to circulate.

A similar situation is found in North America, where the Anasazi people constructed “Great Houses,” of which Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, is the largest known. Built in stages from the tenth to the mid-thirteenth century CE, the quarrying, timber cutting, and transport during the construction were done without metal tools, wheelbarrows, or draft animals. In its final form Pueblo Bonito resembled a “D” with a perimeter wall approximately 400 meters (about 1,300 feet) long. Sandstone walls defined adjacent living units accessed from openings in the wooden roofs. Hundreds of units encircled central plazas under which the Anasazi built subterranean sacred gathering places (kivas). Men entered a kiva—women were forbidden— through a hole in a domed ceiling of interlocking pine logs. Because the number of rooms at Pueblo Bonito far exceeds evidence of human habitation, and the desert locale made obtaining food a constant challenge, archaeologists believe that the Anasazi devoted many of the rooms to food storage. When threatened by enemies, the Anasazi abandoned the Great Houses for dwellings built into the sides of easily defensible, south-facing cliffs, such as those at Mesa Verde, Colorado (twelfth–thirteenth centuries CE).

Ancient Temple Ziggurats, Tombs, and Palaces

Urban civilization—dependent on the development of writing, trade, diversified employment, and a centralized government—produced a variety of monumental building types, generally to glorify gods and god-kings. In the first cities of Mesopotamia, temples were raised heavenward on giant stepped platforms called ziggurats. Both temple and ziggurat were built of sun-dried mud brick using bearing-wall construction. The Ziggurat of Ur-Nammu (c. 2100 BCE) in Ur, Iraq, was faced in a more durable kiln-dried brick laid in a bitumen mortar. In Central America the stepped pyramids of the grand city of Teotihuacan (c. 250 BCE–650 CE), near present-day Mexico City, were faced with volcanic stone and stucco and probably painted bright colors. They formed the backdrop for the rituals and public events associated with the temples, which took place on the top platforms.

Of the monumental tombs, the most famous are the three Great Pyramids of Giza (c. 2551–2490 BCE) in Egypt, which exhibited ashlar masonry (carefully cut stone blocks), piled in tight rows and faced in polished limestone. Workers probably used wooden rollers and sleds on earthen ramps to elevate the heavy stone blocks, and levers to place them in their final locations. These tombs memorialized god-kings for eternity and were seen as ladders for royal spirits to reach the heavens. In Greece beehive-shaped tombs survive, such as the Treasury of Atreus (c. 1300–1200 BCE) at Mycenae, where a vault of corbelled stone (formed by laying each course of stone slightly inward and beyond the previous row until it forms a narrow arch) capped the subterranean main circular chamber. The tomb, half buried until excavated in 1878, remained the largest uninterrupted interior space in Europe for over a thousand years, until the Pantheon in Rome (built in the first century CE), exceeded it in size.

A third type of monument served rulers during their lives. The enormous Assyrian Palace of King Sargon II (c. 720–705 BCE) at Dur Sharrukin, modern Khorsabad, Iraq, represented his combined secular and sacred authority and intimidated his foes with the carved imaginary beasts and scenes of military prowess that decorated its mud-brick walls.

The Greek Temple

The ancient Greeks influenced later Western builders with their post-and-lintel building tradition. Their three types of orders—systems of columns supporting entablatures—were distinguished by proportion and decoration, Doric being the most simple, Ionic more elegant in proportion than the Doric, and the Corinthian the most elaborate. Stone blocks of limestone and marble were held in place by metal clamps and dowels, and terracotta tiles covered the sloping wooden roof rafters. The apex of Greek architecture, the Parthenon temple (448–32 BCE), designed by Kallikrates, redesigned by Iktinos, with construction supervised by the sculptor Pheidias, was meant to be the focal point of Athens’s raised sacred precinct, the Acropolis. The Parthenon featured a stepped platform and an exterior row of columns (or colonnade) that sheltered a central room housing a gigantic statue of Athena. The temple’s proportions, determined by harmonious numerical ratios, were given life by the slight curvature of lines (called entasis), so components appeared to resist the weight imposed on them from above. (The entire temple was marble, even the roof.) Surfaces were stuccoed, painted, and embellished with colorful relief sculpture and friezes much admired for their graceful naturalism.

Roman Innovations and Their Eastern Progeny

Ancient Roman buildings, complexes, and new towns were regimented by simple geometric spaces related along clear axes and were often constructed using new materials and technologies. Voluminous interiors were created by using the semicircular arch, a method of spanning space with many small wedge-shaped elements that balanced against one another. Three-dimensional extrusions of the arch formed tunnels, rings, domes, and other types of spaces. The Romans employed concrete—a mixture of cement, water, and aggregate that can take on many flowing shapes—and faced it in stone or coursed brick and tile. The best-known examples of Roman architecture, the Pantheon temple (117–126 CE) and the Colosseum amphitheater (c. 70–80 CE), both in Rome, had interiors that were spatially exciting, their concrete surfaces lavishly finished with multicolored marbles, gilding, and sculpted detailing. The Pantheon, the result of sophisticated engineering despite its apparently simple dome shape, is one of the most remarkable structures existing in Rome today; from the inside the eye is drawn by a circular pattern of coffers (recessed panels) toward the ceiling (about 43 meters, or 143 feet, high at the summit), where light flows through a 9-meter- (29-foot)-wide oculus (central opening).

During the waning years of the Roman Empire in Western Europe, Christians adopted the multipurpose basilica as the model for their churches, such as Old Saint Peter’s (begun c. 320 CE) in Rome. This multiaisled building featured parallel stone colonnades that supported the masonry walls above. Those in turn held up a roof structure of wooden trusses, rigid triangular frames that resulted in the typical gabled roof form. The glittering, glass mosaic surfaces of the interior were hidden by a bare brick exterior. Byzantine Christians in the eastern half of the empire chose Roman vaulted structures as their models, resulting in the Cathedral of Constantinople, Hagia Sophia (532–537 CE), by Anthemios of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus. The enormous masonry dome, though it rested on four curved triangular surfaces (called pendentives) seemed to float unsupported above the interior, thanks to the ring of windows at the base of the dome and the light-reflecting surfaces of mosaic and marble throughout the vast interior. Also inspired by Rome, Islamic builders developed a new building type for communal worship, the mosque. The Great Mosque (eighth–tenth centuries CE) in Cordoba, Spain, exhibited the horseshoe-shaped arches of alternating stone and brick bands that became typically Islamic, while innovatively stacking the arches in two levels, thereby creating a limitless sense of space. Dazzling marble and mosaic decoration was limited to stylized vegetation and other nonrepresentational patterns, according to Muslim practice.

Beyond Rome’s orbit, in the Buddhist monastery at Sanchi in India, the dome of the Great Stupa (first century BCE–first century CE) enshrined important relics. (Stupas, religious structures fundamental to the Buddhist world, were first constructed to house the cremated remains of the Buddha after his death in 483 BCE.) Protected within a wall featuring four elaborate gateways, the earth-and-rubble-filled dome of the Great Stupa represented the mountain of the world. Pilgrim worshippers circumambulated the building on walkways at two levels, reflecting the Buddhist belief in cyclical Earthly suffering that was only relieved upon reaching nirvana.

The Middle Ages

In the centuries after the Roman Empire, European Christians supported powerful monasteries, whose builders turned to bearing-wall construction in limestone, granite, and sandstone. Master builders maintained the basilican church form (a rectangular building with side aisles separated from the center nave by colonnades), but ultimately they replaced the simple plan and trussed roof with more complex solutions to the problems presented by increasing numbers of pilgrims and concerns over fire safety. During the Romanesque Era (c. 1050–1200), so called due to the revival of Roman (that is, semicircular) vaulting techniques, builders experimented with heavy stone-vaulted ceilings and extended side aisles around the church’s perimeter to improve circulation for pilgrims. Extensive sculpted ornament in abstracted forms greeted visitors with Christian lessons of good versus evil. The French church of Saint-Sernin (c. 1070–1120) in Toulouse exemplified this movement.

Structural experiments coalesced in the later twelfth century and throughout the thirteenth, during the Gothic era, led by northern France, which dominated Europe at that time. Gothic verticality, aspiring to express divine loftiness, combined with great visual coherence at Chartres Cathedral (1194– 1220), where the minimal stone skeleton supported walls of stained glass illustrating sacred and secular themes. This effect was made possible through the combined use of the structurally efficient pointed arch, the framework of arched ribs (rib vaults) that allowed lighter vault panels, and the flying buttress that supported the vaults outside the building. Broad and steep roofs of innovative wood truss design protected the church vaults. A very high level of roofing technology was also evident in the contemporary wooden stave churches (using post-and-beam construction) of Norway.

Around the same time, builders in South and East Asia likewise developed impressively tall structures to house images of their gods and to visually connect Earth with heaven. Hindu Indians created the Visvanatha Temple to Siva (c. 1000) at Khajuraho, in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Inspired in design by a mandala (cosmic diagram), the temple’s “grid plan” featured a sequence of increasingly important spaces, concluding at the inner sanctum with its image of Siva. Seemingly countless voluptuous sculptures covered the exterior surfaces that climaxed at the mountain-like tower over the inner sanctum. In China and Japan, Buddhist pagodas served similar uses but were characterized by their winged eaves and centralized plans.

In Europe continued insecurity encouraged the powerful to live in fortified castles. A moat and high walls with towers protected inner courts and the main multistoried residence, called a keep or donjon (the word dungeon is a derivative). By the latter Middle Ages, improved security fostered the development of the less-fortified, but still grand, manor house; the main room, or great hall, a multifunctional entertainment space, required sturdy roof support in the form of various trussed solutions. The Islamic rulers of Spain produced luxurious, sprawling palace complexes, such as the Alhambra (thirteenth–fourteenth centuries) in Granada. The gardens interspersed throughout the complex provided refreshing water, fragrant plants, and soft, indirect lighting. Rooms had ethereal domes, whose structure was veiled by muqarnas, open, honeycomb-like cells made from stucco or wood.

Idealized Plans and the Renaissance

Beginning in the fifteenth-century Italian Renaissance, men with humanistic educations, not just practical building experience, aided by familiarity with classical antiquity, mathematics, and orthogonal drawing, won many architectural commissions. Their buildings and publications argued for the unity of architectural practice and theory. Filippo Brunelleschi’s Cupola (1417–1434), or dome and lantern, for the Cathedral of Florence combined a Gothic pointed profile and a Pantheon-like concentric grid with his original ideas of a double shell, interlocking brick pattern, and inventive construction mechanisms. Sophisticated uses of Roman ideas also characterized the work of Leon Battista Alberti, whose classically grand Church of Sant’Andrea (begun c. 1470) in Mantua, Italy, derived from ancient building types, proportional systems, and the classical orders. Its facade—a classical temple front and triumphal arch, with two sets of Corinthian pilasters on the porch—belies the grand interior: an immense barrel-vaulted nave flanked by tall chapels.

Efforts to supersede classical accomplishments were evident in the contemporary architecture of Rome. The first grand scheme by Donato Bramante (1505) for rebuilding the Basilica of St. Peter affirmed the humanist interest in the idealized centralized church plan. Under Michelangelo’s guidance the design of the basilica’s cupola (1546–1564) was largely resolved, producing a cohesive and influential scheme that was the last of the great purely masonry domes. Michelangelo also designed a monumental civic center, the Campidoglio (begun 1538), its complexity organized by a strong central axis, colossal pilasters on the building facades, and the view over the city.

Renaissance ideas spread from Florence and Rome. Near Venice, Andrea Palladio, an experienced stonemason and a humanist scholar, advanced his own influential architectural treatise; by the eighteenth century most educated people (including Thomas Jefferson in America) had his Four Books of Architecture in their libraries. In his design for a suburban residence near Vicenza, Italy, the Villa Rotonda (begun 1566), he appropriated the portico (four, actually, one on each side of the square structure) and central domed hall formerly associated with religious buildings. The building is famous for its idealized siting, harmonic proportions, simple geometries, and clear axial relationships. Venice’s powerful nemesis, the Ottoman Empire, produced Palladio’s counterpart, the architect Sinan, whose skillful designs for central-domed mosques with stunning tile work were represented by his Mosque of Selim II (1568–1575) in Edirne, Turkey.

Idealized masonry monuments of the West contrasted with the idealized wooden post-and-lintel structures of the East, climaxing in Ming dynasty (1368–1644) China. The focal point of Beijing’s monumental Forbidden City was the emperor’s principal throne room, the Hall of Supreme Harmony (begun 1627). Though grander in size and ornament than other Chinese halls, its arrangement of standardized interchangeable parts was similar. A grid of wooden columns supported fingerlike brackets, which in turn held boxlike truss beams (or stepped roof trusses) that produced the characteristic curve of the tiled roof. Japanese builders transformed the Chinese architectural system by favoring more subtle asymmetrical arrangements and indirect paths of circulation, from Sen no Rikyu’s intentionally rustic Tai-an tearoom, Myoki-an Temple (c. 1582) to the impressive Imperial Katsura Palace (largely c. 1615–1663), both in Kyoto.

Baroque Vitality

In the seventeenth-century West, Renaissance priorities blended with the dynamic growth of science, nationalism, and religious fervor. Designs, often structurally and spatially complex and characterized by illusionistic effects, were best appreciated by a person moving through them, for example, Gianlorenzo Bernini’s Piazza (1656–1667) at St. Peter’s in Rome. Intense ornamentation was common during the period and spread to Spanish and Portuguese colonies in Latin America. The monumental enlargement of the Chateau at Versailles (1667–1710), for France’s autocratic “Sun-King” Louis XIV, had a network of axial pathways that led to the king’s central bedchamber. In the chateau’s Hall of Mirrors, innovative large mirrors created infinitely reflecting vistas of the vast gardens. Christopher Wren, who was a scientist before becoming an architect, reworked continental influences in his redesign for St. Paul’s Cathedral (1675–1711) in London, where the cupola combined an inner masonry shell with a lightweight outer dome and lantern. In Bavaria structural experimentation, illusionism, and spatial complexity climaxed in works such as the Residence of the Prince-Bishops (1719–1753) in Wurzburg, by Johann Balthasar Neumann.

Historical Revivals

Eighteenth-century architectural influences included the Enlightenment, which emphasized the individual person; increased historical scholarship, especially archaeology; and the Industrial Revolution. Giambattista Piranesi’s widely disseminated, imaginative views and reconstructions of ancient Roman ruins aroused awe. In England, Robert Adam’s renovation of Syon House (1760–1769) in Middlesex sought to authentically re-create the architecture of classical Rome. Yet with Horace Walpole, Adam also created the mysterious, picturesquely asymmetrical Gothic Revival Strawberry Hill (1749–1763) at Twickenham, its different parts appearing to be centuries-old accretions. French architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot combined Gothic structural lightness with classical spatial purity in his Church of Ste.-Genevieve (1755–1780) in Paris. Etienne-Louis Boullee drew unbuildable projects, like the Cenotaph to Isaac Newton (1783–1784), a classical but sublime giant hollow sphere that celebrated the achievements of the great physicist. It connected use and form in a direct manner called “architecture parlante.” The mining of historical styles for contemporary projects continued into the nineteenth century, highlighted by Karl Friedrich Schinkel’s Greek Revival Altes Museum (1824– 1830) in Berlin, and the Gothic Revival Houses of Parliament (begun 1835) in London, by Charles Barry and A. W. N. Pugin.

By the mid-eighteenth century, Europeans began to seek increasingly private and comfortable residences. Renovated (1732–1739) in the delicate Rococo style by Germain Boffrand, the Hotel de Soubise in Paris incorporated intimate interiors that were easily heated by improved fireplace design and easily illuminated by large windows and mirrors. Residences of the wealthy incorporated dumbwaiters and corridors to allow greater separation between masters and their servants. The English aristocracy and North American colonists also turned to making more comfortable buildings, typically favoring a restrained neo-Palladian approach to design, such as Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello (1768–1782) in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Early Modernism

In the nineteenth century, the Industrial Revolution expanded its impact on European architecture. France’s official architectural school, the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, emphasized “universal” architectural ideals found in primarily classical models, but the buildings of its alumni, including Charles Garnier’s exuberant Opera (1860–1875) and Henri Labrouste’s Bibliotheque Ste.- Genevieve (1838–1850), both in Paris, united those lessons with contemporary technology. The Eiffel Tower (1887–1889), by Gustave Eiffel, epitomized the celebration of modern materials and their logical assembly. Conversely, William Morris, the most significant British voice at the time, protested against the social upheaval and shoddy craftsmanship associated with the Industrial Revolution. His own home, The Red House (1859–1860) in Bexleyheath, Kent, designed by Philip Webb, exemplified his Arts and Crafts Movement with informal, vernacularly derived forms and materials that hearkened back to a simpler time.

American architects adapted these British ideas to their own context. Balloon-frame construction (precut timber studs connected by machine-made nails), which was sheathed with wooden shingles, allowed more informal, open interior layouts that were easy to heat with American central heating systems and easy to cool during the hot American summers. The epitome of the American Shingle Style was the Mrs. M. F. Stoughton House (1882–1883) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by Henry H. Richardson. Americans continued to take the lead in residential design with the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, whose inspiration came from nature, simple geometries, and exotic cultures. Wright’s F. C. Robie House (1908–1910) in Chicago climaxed his search for the “Prairie House.” The building’s strong horizontality and locally inspired ornament harmonized with the prairie of the Midwest. Abstracting Japanese and other prototypes, he created transitional zones that wove together exterior and interior space and effortlessly connected interior spaces around the central hearth.

Seeking to express contemporary life and technology, modern architects increasingly relied on modern materials, exposed structure, and undecorated compositions that were open and asymmetrical. Many designers searched for schemes that would be universally valid in a world made more homogeneous by technology. The results spanned from a machinelike precision to an organic expression of use and/ or place.

Iron and steel structural frames increasingly transformed architecture beginning in the late nineteenth century. European Art Nouveau designers copied natural forms and exposed the sinuous iron structure in their glass-filled buildings, such as Victor Horta’s Tassel House (1892–1893) in Brussels, Belgium. In American cities the demand for space, the need to cluster offices, and the desire to create bold symbols of business set the stage for modern skyscraper construction. Tall buildings depended on the passenger elevator and the development of metallic cage construction that was fireproofed, insulated, and ornamented in brick, stone, or terracotta. Louis Sullivan’s Guaranty Building (1894–1895) in Buffalo, New York, exemplified early attempts to devise a visually coherent solution to a new building type. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the master of the steel and glass skyscraper, pared away visual clutter to express the purity and careful proportions of the steel skeletons, as exhibited in his Seagram Building (1954–1958) in New York City. Other building types were similarly transformed by metal construction, for example Kenzo Tange’s steel tensile suspension design for the National Gymnasium (1961–1964) in Tokyo, Japan.

The rediscovery of concrete as a primary building material and the innovative addition of metal bars to create reinforced concrete structures expanded the scope of modern architecture. Le Corbusier (born Charles-Edouard Jeanneret) established his international reputation with machine-age designs like the pristine concrete box of the Villa Savoye (1928–1929), near Paris; and later he led the expressionistic Brutalist movement with the aggressive, roughly finished concrete forms of the Capitol Complex (1950–1965) in Chandigarh, India. The contours and textures of subsequent reinforced concrete buildings ranged from the soaring openness of Jorn Utzon’s Opera House (1956–1973) in Sydney, Australia, to the contemplative enclosure of Tadao Ando’s Koshino House (1979–1981) in Hyogo, Japan.

Over time architects increased their use of glass from the exterior “curtain” (non-load-bearing) walls of Walter Gropius’s Bauhaus Building (1925–1926) in Dessau, Germany, to the strut- and mullion-free glazed exterior of Norman Foster’s Willis Faber Dumas Office Building (1975) in Ipswich, United Kingdom.

Some highly successful twentieth-century architects gained respect by adapting modern, universal themes to local conditions and cultures in their work. Among the most noteworthy were Alvar Aalto’s Civic Center (1949–1952) in Saynatsalo, Finland; Louis Kahn’s National Assembly Building (1962–1974) in Dacca, Bangladesh; and Renzo Piano’s Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center (1991–1998) in Noumea, New Caledonia.

Architecture in the 21st Century

Contemporary architectural trends continue to respond to the issues of culture and technology. Like many leading architects, Rem Koolhaas has questioned societal beliefs and institutions in his Netherlands Dance Theater (1987), The Hague. Innovative solutions for structure and interior illumination aided the design of Norman Foster Associates giant Hong Kong Bank (1986) in Hong Kong, China. Tensile membrane structure, such as the Denver (Colorado) International Airport (1994) by C. W. Fentress, J. H. Bradburn & Associates, allows large spaces to be enclosed, while the curving structural steel columns of Beijing’s National Stadium (the Bird’s Nest)—designed for the 2008 Olympics by the Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron in collaboration with Chinese artist and architect Ai Weiwei— weave a permeable outer layer that can be crossed or even climbed, allowing people to feel absorbed rather than smothered by the enormous structure. Digitized imaging software facilitated the titanium-clad design of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum (1997) in Bilbao, Spain.

In the growing trend of “green” or ecologically sustainable design, designers conserve materials and energy, provide occupants with abundant fresh air and natural light, and carefully manage waste. Among the best-known examples is William McDonough & Associates Offices for Gap, Inc. (1997) in San Bruno, California, with its careful siting, vegetated roof, and other “green” elements. Kenneth Yeang’s Menara Mesiniaga Building (1991) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, connects sustainable design with the local traditions of Southeast Asia.

A third trend is the revival in vernacular traditions that has been building since at least Hassan Fathy’s design for the Village of New Gourna (1945–1948) at Luxor, Egypt. In the United States vernacularism has inspired the pedestrian-friendly “new urbanism” movement publicized by the design of Seaside, Florida (begun 1981), by Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk.

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architecture research paper example

Successful thesis proposals in architecture and urban planning

Archnet-IJAR

ISSN : 2631-6862

Article publication date: 1 May 2020

Issue publication date: 11 November 2020

The purpose of this research is to improve the understanding of what constitutes a successful thesis proposal (TP) and as such enhance the quality of the TP writing in architecture, planning and related disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on extended personal experience and a review of relevant literature, the authors proposed a conception of a successful TP comprising 13 standard components. The conception provides specific definition/s, attributes and success rules for each component. The conception was applied for 15 years on several batches of Saudi graduate students. The implications of the conception were assessed by a students' opinion survey. An expert inquiry of experienced academics from architectural schools in nine countries was applied to validate and improve the conception.

Assessment of the proposed conception demonstrated several positive implications on students' knowledge, performance and outputs which illustrates its applicability in real life. Experts' validation of the conception and constructive remarks have enabled further improvements on the definitions, attributes and success rules of the TP components.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed TP conception with its 13 components is limited to standard problem-solving research and will differ in the case of other types such as hypothesis-based research.

Practical implications

The proposed conception is a useful directive and evaluative tool for writing and assessing thesis proposals for graduate students, academic advisors and examiners.

Social implications

The research contributes to improving the quality of thesis production process among the academic community in the built environment fields.

Originality/value

The paper is meant to alleviate the confusion and hardship caused by the absence of a consensus on what constitutes a successful TP in the fields of architecture, urban planning and related disciplines.

  • Urban planning
  • Architecture
  • Built environment
  • Postgraduate research
  • Writing successful thesis proposals

Abdellatif, M. and Abdellatif, R. (2020), "Successful thesis proposals in architecture and urban planning", Archnet-IJAR , Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 503-524. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-12-2019-0281

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Mahmoud Abdellatif and Reham Abdellatif

Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode .

1. Introduction

After the postgraduate student completes her/his coursework in a master programme or passes the comprehensive exam and becomes a doctoral candidate in a doctoral programme, s/he is allowed to submit a “Thesis Proposal” (TP) to her/his department whose main concern is to assess whether the topic is suitable for a graduate study and for the time and resources available ( Afful, 2008 ; Kivunja, 2016 ; Reddy, 2019 ).

The department then sends the submitted TP to higher bodies for official approval. Once approved, the TP becomes a legal binding or “a formal contract” ( Walliman, 2017 ) and “a statement of intent” ( Hofstee, 2006 ) between the researcher and the university. If the student adheres to all prescribed TP requirements within the specified time, s/he will be awarded the degree ( Leo, 2019 ).

Guided by his/her academic advisor, the student prepares the TP within which the researcher explains the research problem, questions, aim and objectives, scope, and methodologies to describe, analyse and synthesize the research problem and develop solutions for it ( Paltridge and Starfield, 2007 ). In addition, the proposal includes a brief about research significance and expected contributions; a preliminary review of literature; thesis structure and approximate completion timeline; and a list of relevant references ( Kivunja, 2016 ; Thomas, 2016 ; Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ).

1.1 Statement of the problem and research aim

After decades of writing, supervising and refereeing master and doctoral theses in the fields of Architecture and Urban Planning, the authors noticed that TP's differ in format and content from a school to another. This may be considered a healthy matter because it gives room for flexibility that absorbs the variety of research problems and techniques. Yet, the absence of a consensus on what constitutes a successful TP could cause confusion and hardship to both students and advisors ( Kamler and Thomson, 2008 ; Abdulai and Owusu-Ansah, 2014 ). The review of literature indicates that TP writing has been tackled in depth in many fields (see for instance Gonzalez, 2007 ; Balakumar et al. , 2013 ; Eco, 2015 ; Kivunja, 2016 ; Glatthorn and Randy, 2018 ; Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). Apart from thesis proposal instruction and guideline manuals posted on universities' websites, the authors believe that there is a lack of in-depth research on the issue of producing successful thesis proposals in the fields of Architecture and Planning.

To propose a successful TP conception which determines the standard components of TP and sets specific definitions, attributes and rules of success for each component.

To apply the proposed conception on several batches of graduate students, then assess its impact on students' performance and output along the years of application.

To validate the proposed conception by getting the insights of experienced academics from architecture and planning schools worldwide, and as such, improve and finalize the conception.

1.2 Research methodology

To propose the Successful TP Conception , the authors relied on two sources: knowledge extracted from their extended experience and a review of relevant studies and instruction manuals and guidelines for preparing TP in several worldwide universities. The Conception has been applied on several batches of master and doctoral students from IAU, KSA for almost 15 years between 2005 and 2020 during their enrolment in three courses in the College of Architecture and Planning, IAU, KSA. These courses are “ARPL 603 Research Methods” and “BISC 600 Research Methods” for the master's level and “URPL 803 Seminar (3): Doctoral Research Methods” for the doctoral level.

From a total of 60 students, 39 students (65%) completed the survey; of whom 12 students (31%) were doctoral and 27 students (69%) were masters students.

- Improve their understanding of the components of a successful TP.

- Enhance their performance in developing their TP's.

- Conduct a more effective self-assessment of their developed TP's.

- Enhance their performance along other stages of producing their theses and dissertations.

- Maintain any other benefits adding to students' research capabilities.

The first part recorded the general characteristics of respondents.

The second inquired about experts' viewpoints on the definitions, attributes and the rules of success of the components of the proposed TP conception.

2. Proposing the Successful TP Conception

2.1 components of a tp for a standard problem-solving research type.

A review of thesis writing guidelines posted on universities' websites and other related literature has indicated that the number of components of a masters' or doctoral thesis proposal varies. After a thorough review of related literature and with their experience, the authors have been convinced that, in its standard form, a TP should include 13 components. Chronically arranged, as appearing in the proposal, they are: title page, abstract, keywords, background, statement of the problem, research questions, research aim and objectives, research scope, research significance and contributions, preliminary review of literature, research methodology, thesis structure and timeline, and references list ( Ostler, 1996 ; Simpson and Turner, 2004 ; Zhou, 2004 ; Davies, 2011 ; Axelrod and Windell, 2012 ; Donohue, 2018 ; Glatthorn and Randy, 2018 ; Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). It is worth mentioning that these 13 components will differ in the case of a hypothesis-based research whose aim is to validate a specific hypothesis that a specific variable/s is/are or is/are not the main cause/s of an investigated research problem. This paper is limited only to the standard problem-solving research type.

2.2 Building the Successful TP Conception

Setting a general definition for each component including its meaning, importance, functions and contents.

Outlining the most important attributes that must be considered when writing the component.

Based on step 1 and 2, the authors extracted a list of success rules which provides a concise definition for each component of the TP, and/or describes the relationship between the component and other components of the TP (the list is summarized at the end of Part 2).

2.2.1 Research title

This is the first item that appears to the reader. It invites or detains him/her from proceeding to other contents ( Blaxter et al. , 2010 ). The research title is positioned in the title page along with several basic data, namely, the title; the names of the Department, College, University, study programme, researcher and advisory committee; and submission date.

The research title should be useful, discussing an issue critical to society; true, conveying a real message about the investigated problem ( Donohue, 2018 ); concise, presenting the message with the minimum number of words; adequate, using the right wording to explain the intended meaning; and attractive , stimulating the reader's attention. Iterations in refining the research title go hand-in-hand with refining the research question ( Groat and Wang, 2013 ).

2.2.2 The abstract

It is the first item that appears in the TP after the title and of the same significance; yet, it is the last to be written ( Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). It has a marketing function ( Lamanauskas, 2019 ); it calls the reader in or alienates him out. A comprehensive abstract contains a summary of the problem, aim, scope, methodology, importance, contributions and outline ( Koopman, 1997 ).

The Abstract should be concise or brief with a maximum of 200–300 words; adequate, including profiles of all parts of the proposal; clear, expressing its message without ambiguity; and interrelated, serving as a body of sequential, coherent and connected ideas ( Blaxter et al. , 2010 ).

2.2.3 The keywords

These are a set of words or terms used for archiving, tabulation and electronic search on databases. They should include essential “subject terms” describing the research topic, the unique sub-specializations and focus of the research (what is researched), the contextual scope of the research (where and when), and the used research methodology (how to conduct the research) ( Lamanauskas, 2019 ). They are better written by splitting the title into its separate single words or terms which must be found in the abstract, as well ( Mack, 2012 ).

Keywords should be brief, not more than 8–12 words; adequate, conveying the research theme, scope, aim and approach; exact, focusing on the investigated topic and scope; and standard, using scientific terminology used in the field.

2.2.4 The background

This is a gradual preparation of the reader from the larger scientific field to the specific field, from the wider geographic area to the immediate area, and from the larger timeframe to the immediate one. It starts from the strategic level and general scope of the research and gradually reaches the level closer to the examined problem ( Abdellatif and Abdellatif, 2005 ). It places the study within the larger context of the research, creates interest to the reader and catches his attention, and includes quotations and statistics leading the reader to proceed ( Babbie, 2014 ).

The background statement should be striking, drawing the reader's attention to the research; brief, not lengthy; gradual, moving from the general level surrounding the investigated issue to the specific level; and careful, not speeding up in disclosing the study problem, aim or methodology to the reader ( Axelrod and Windell, 2012 ; Pautasso, 2013 ).

2.2.5 The statement of the problem

Statement of the General Research Problem is a narrative describing a negative aspect/s prevailing in the investigated urban environment/ecosystem or architectural setting; it is equivalent to the negative wording of the research aim ( Abdellatif and Abdellatif, 2005 ). It stimulates interest in the study; scientifically explained to convey a simple, clear and specific issue to which a reader can relate and is useful to the society at large ( Balakumar et al. , 2013 ). In the humanities and social sciences many dissertations endeavour to establish the conditions of the problem, not to solve it ( Dorst, 2011 ).

In formulating the research problem, it is useful to consider it a problem which hinders the natural development of the society and/or environment and leads to a decline in the Quality of Life (QOL) or Quality of Environment (QOE) or both. A development problem is a factor/cause leading to either a quantitative or qualitative deficiency in satisfying a human need or both such as a lack of certain service or inadequate provision of the service ( Abdellatif, 2015 ). To arrive at a successful statement of the general problem, the researcher should pinpoint the main cause/s behind the study problem. All what comes next depends on the clarity of the problem statement.

Technically oriented research (TOR), which places emphasis on the process and procedures as the primary basis of effective design, TOR can be either systematic, or computational, or managerial.

Conceptually driven research (CDR), which can be either psychological or person–environment. The psychological type is driven by the goal of matching knowledge with the nature of the design problem, its components, context and social and environmental requirements. Whereas, the person–environment type places emphasis on the socio-cultural and socio-behavioural factors as they relate to the design process itself and to settings, buildings and urban environments.

Classify the investigated situation to branched dimensions, e.g. demographic, planning, regulatory, economic, social, environmental, etc.

Trace the causes or the influencing factors that lead to the emergence or aggravation of the problem/s in each dimension.

Clarify the problem more by identifying the consequences or adverse effects (the symptoms of the problem) that resulted from those causes. This helps isolate the causes from the consequences to focus on treating the causes not the consequences. Using temporary painkillers will not eliminate the disease; it only tranquilizes the symptoms.

Statement of the consequences of the problem is a narrative that describes the negative effects caused by sub-problems on the investigated environment ( Goetz et al. , 2005 ).

The statement of consequences of the problem should be focused, where each consequence focuses on one independent sub-problem; articulate, not overlapping with other consequences; rooted, relating to one of the roots of the general problems; deep, providing description for specific symptom; and comprehended, could be perceived, described and determined ( Abdellatif, 2015 ).

2.2.6 Research questions

What is the nature of the development problem as defined by the latest findings of previous literature, similar studies and published statistical reports?

What are the key features of the investigated problem according to a direct field survey?

What are the appropriate links between different variables of the study (causes, consequences, etc.) according to the information gathered from the theoretical review and field surveys?

What are the extracted results and the appropriate solutions and/or recommendations to deal with the general research problem and its sub-problems?

What are the critical contributions of the research findings on the life and/or environmental qualities?

How can the research increase the benefits of research results on the ground?

What are the research areas/points that need further investigation?

Research questions should be specific, each question addresses one sub-problem; unduplicated, each question does not repeat itself in a different format; sequential, or arranged according to their importance and order; and interrelated, where each question relates to other questions.

2.2.7 Research aim, goals and objectives

The general aim of the research is a specific and clear statement presenting the overall purpose of the study. It is directed to find an appropriate and effective solution to the general research problem ( Donohue, 2018 ). It is an attempt to fill a gap between a negative reality of an environment/ecosystem/or development situation and a desired positive future to be achieved at the end of the research process ( Glatthorn and Randy, 2018 ). The aim should be properly stated to ensure the success of all the following stages of the scientific research process.

Exploring the problem by defining the research problem, formulating aim and objectives, designing the methodology, defining the scope, and highlighting the expected contributions.

Collecting secondary data by defining basic concepts and terms, reviewing relevant literature and previous studies, and describing the most important characteristics of the investigated environment from secondary sources and statistical reports.

Collecting primary data via direct field surveys and based on the views of concerned population, experts and officials to describe the characteristics of the investigated development problem.

Analysing the gathered data by using theoretical and field data to determine the appropriate links among different variables of the study (e.g. causes, consequences, etc.).

Synthesizing the gathered data by integrating the findings of analysis to build appropriate approaches or solutions to deal with the general problem.

Extracting conclusions and writing recommendations to highlight research findings and make them more useful and effective.

A micro level objective contributes to solving the specific investigated problem (e.g. a specific quantitative or qualitative problem that hinders the development of a sector of society, environment, or eco-system).

A macro level objective contributes to realizing a higher goal (e.g. improving the overall quality of life of a larger community, upgrading the quality of the larger environment, etc.).

Development objectives should apply the SMART goal rule (previously explained); and be non-overlapping by ensuring that each objective is focused and not conflicting with other objectives.

2.2.8 Research scope

Thematic scope clarifies the general and specific areas of the research (e.g. the research falls within the field of sustainable development in general and focuses on social sustainability).

Geographic/Spatial scope specifies the spatial boundaries of the physical environment within which the research is applied (e.g. a specific local or regional setting).

Temporal scope shows the past, present and future spans the research will cover indicating the number of years from the historical information inventory until the expected completion date. If the research aim is to develop future strategies or policies, the span will extend to future target point.

Research Scope should be categorized, by being classified by subject, place and time; focused, by reaching the closest limits of the investigated research problem, environment and time; and clear, by not being so general or ambiguous.

2.2.9 Research significance and contributions

They highlight the most important benefits and the main beneficiaries from solving the research problem; the potential positive impacts of the study on the life and environmental qualities ( Groat and Wang, 2013 ). Contributions differ in nature (theoretical or applied or both) and in size (huge, average, or marginal). There is a positive relationship between the size of contributions and the size of impacted beneficiaries (individuals, groups, institutions, communities, societies), the scale of the impacted geographic boundaries (local, national or global), the type of impacted development sectors (service, production, etc.) and the numbers of the impacted sectors (one, a few, or all sectors). Research significance increases as the size of contributions increases. Specifying the research significance, expected contributions and potential beneficiaries helps promote the research and provides rational justifications for conducting it. The higher the contributions and the greater the sectors of the beneficiaries, the more significant the research is ( Abdellatif and Abdellatif, 2005 ). According to Balakumar et al. (2013) research significance justifies the need for the research that is being proposed.

Research significance and expected contributions should be categorized, in terms of type (theoretical or applied contribution or both), size and nature of the beneficiaries (individuals, institutions, communities, etc.) and geographical extent (small site, district, city, region, nation, etc.); clear, simple and comprehensible to the reader; and realistic, real, accurate and not exaggerated.

2.2.10 The preliminary review of literature

This is an initial review of literature dealt with relevant problems. It aims to build an initial understanding of the problem, identify the most important variables that have been considered, cite methodologies used to deal with the problem; make use of the latest findings and record the various recommendations/solutions suggested to deal with the problem ( Hart, 1998 ; Grix, 2001 ). According to Dunleavy (2003) , it is a critical review on related recent research that is well documented, structured, analysed and synthesized. It offers the researcher an opportunity to engage with other scholars in one's disciplinary community.

In addition to having a separate part, it is useful to combine the literature review with other components of the TP (e.g. the research problem, questions, aim and objectives, and methodology). It is important that the review presents differing perspectives or contrasting views of the topic and reports the complexities of the issue ( Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). By conducting the review, the researcher becomes able to build an initial but comprehensive understanding of the causes and consequences of the problem, the methodologies used to study and analyse the problem and the solutions proposed to deal with it by synthesizing various viewpoints of previous studies, thereby, supporting her/his principle argument about the study problem with the results derived from previous literature ( Pautasso, 2013 ).

Definitions of key terms and concepts; standard terms to appear in the research and special concepts which are not formally provided by previous scholars. The definitions must be logic and derived from scientifically recognized sources.

Review of previous studies; focusing on identifying several issues, namely, the most important dimensions and variables of the research problem (the causes of the problem; why the problem has emerged or aggravated; the most important consequences of this problem on the human and/or physical environment); the methods used to deal with the problem; the latest findings of previous studies and the various approaches/solutions suggested to deal with the problem.

Contextual aspects of the investigated development situation; including a review of relevant characteristics of the researched environment (its basic dimensions and elements) as found in previous studies. Contextual aspects may be classified into physical and human components; or into environmental, functional, aesthetic, structural, economic and social design determinants; or into demographic, planning, regulatory, economic, social, environmental sectors or other classifications.

Preliminary review of literature should be indexed, from reliable scholarly sources; categorized or documented according to standard classification system; employed, used wisely to achieve a desired purpose; up to date, recent, however, in topics which address chronological development or evolutionary aspects references could be recent and old; and related, relevant to the study problem ( Hart, 1998 ).

2.2.11 Research methodology

Data collection methods including office methods used to collect secondary data from previous literature and case studies as well as field methods used to gather original data through field visits, surveying, questionnaires, interviews with stakeholders, etc.

Data analysis methods including methods used to analyse both the secondary and primary information collected from office and the field surveys such as Statistical Analysis, Environmental Scanning (SWOT), Development Components Analysis, etc.

Data synthesis methods including methods used to compile, synthesize the analysis and develop appropriate alternative scenarios or solutions to deal with the problem.

Data presentation methods including methods to present the research process and findings such as scientific research paper containing narratives, tables, figures, forms, maps, results and recommendations as well as final visual presentation to review panel to get remarks and write the last version of the TP.

Research methodology should be appropriate, aligned with the purpose/s in which they will be used; achievable, within the reach of the researcher; effective, achieving the purpose fast and with high quality; reliable, previously tested, applied and approved in similar cases; and precise, accurate and specific.

2.2.12 Research structure and timeline

This is a brief statement of the main sections of the master's/doctoral thesis with tentative dates for completing the various stages of the research. Careful preparation of research structure and timeline ensures the effectiveness and integrity of the plan of actions towards the completion of the study ( Kivunja, 2016 ). It is also a criterion to judge the achieved progress and seriousness of the researcher.

Research structure and timeline should be sequential, arranged according to a standard scientific research process; logical, proportionate to the total period available for completion; and balanced, distributing time properly among various stages.

2.2.13 The list of references

This is a list which contains a reasonable number of relevant references on the topic which were actually cited in the TP ( Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). Including a list of the references about the topic demonstrates that the researcher is familiar with the basic and latest knowledge on his/her problem.

The list of references should be relevant, closely related to the investigated subject; up to date, recent yet containing old and new according the topic and context; and reliable, published in dependable vessels.

2.3 Extracting the success rules

Based on the above definitions and attributes provided for each of the 13 TP components, the authors were able to extract a number of success rules that took the form of equations, each of which describes an equality function between each component and its counterpart component/s as shown in Table 1 . For instance, rule #1 shows that “research title” is equal to “the general aim of the research” and is equal to “the negative wording of the research problem”.

3. Assessing the Successful TP Conception from students' viewpoints

They better understood the meanings of each component (97% agree and strongly agree and 3% neutral).

They better understood the attributes of each component (94% agree and strongly agree and 6% neutral).

They better understood the rules which control the relations between the various components of the TP (87% agree and strongly agree and 13% neutral).

The process of writing the proposal has become easier and more convenient (100% agree and strongly agree).

The effort, cost and time spent in submitting the proposal have been substantially saved (87% agree and strongly and 12% neutral).

The relationship with academic advisor has improved (87% agree and strongly agree and 12% neutral).

The students' confidence in advancing their own learning abilities has improved (93% agree and strongly agree and 7% neutral).

The students' abilities to address the strengths and weaknesses of their personal skills have improved (93% agree and strongly agree and 7% neutral).

The students' abilities to manage their learning process more independently have improved (90% agree and strongly agree, 7% neutral and 3% disagree).

The students have created a clearer and better mutual understanding with their academic advisors (90% agree and strongly agree and 10% neutral).

The students have reduced their distraction from the original target set out in the proposal (81% agree and strongly agree, 16% neutral and 3% disagree).

The students have been able to finish their research on time (78% agree and strongly agree, 19% neutral and 3% disagree).

They gained better analytical skills (87% agree and strongly agree, 10% neutral and 3% disagree).

They gained better problem-solving skills (87% agree and strongly agree, 10% neutral and 3% disagree).

They gained better critical thinking skills (87% agree and strongly agree, 10% neutral and 3% disagree).

4. Verifying the Successful TP Conception based on experts' viewpoints

Having proposed, applied and assessed the Successful TP Conception, it becomes important to validate it using the insights of experienced academics from Architectural and Planning schools worldwide. This part summarizes the results of the experts' inquiry survey conducted in November 2019 to February 2020. It shows the characteristics of experts and their viewpoints and remarks on the originally proposed definitions, attributes and success rules.

4.1 Experts' characteristics

They were from nine countries, namely, the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.

About 75% of the experts were males and 25% were females. About 5% were 35–45 years old, 20% were 45–55 years, 55% were 55–65 years and 20% were 65 years and over.

About 5% were Assistant Professors, 10% Associate Professors and the majority (85%) were Professors.

The experts had teaching experiences in undergraduate and graduate levels (masters, doctoral, diploma, postdoctoral and continuing professional development).

The general specialization of 70% of the experts was Architecture and 30% of experts were specialized in Urban Planning. They taught in several built environment fields (Architecture, Interior Design, Building Technology, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning).

The experts had several focus areas, namely, Architecture, History and Theories of Architecture, Assessment of Designed Environments, Design Methods, Pedagogy, Architecture and Digital Technologies, Heritage Conservation, Middle East Architecture and Cities, Construction Project Management, Urban Design, Spatial Development Planning, Landscape, Built Environment and Behaviour, Urban Studies, Techniques and Quantitative Methods of Urban Planning, Urban Conflict, Urban Justice, Community Development, Environmental Management and Planning and Development Approaches.

About 10% of the experts supervised 5 theses, 5% supervised 6–10 theses, 50% supervised 11–20 theses and 35% supervised more than 20 theses.

4.2 Experts' viewpoints and remarks

Concerning the proposed definitions of the TP components, the experts expressed their agreement which ranged between 73 and 96%. Some experts provided additional remarks to help improve the definitions. Table 2 presents the originally proposed definitions, the percentages of agreed experts and their additional remarks.

Regarding the attributes of each component of the TP, the original conception proposed 38 attributes, the experts added 18 attributes resulting in a total of 56 attributes. Table 3 presents a matrix showing the percentages of experts' agreement of the originally proposed attributes as well as the added attributes. The lowest agreement percentage was 59% and the highest was 96%.

Concerning the proposed success rules which were called “equations” in the originally proposed conception, the experts suggested to change the expression into “rules”; which is more appropriate for subjective contents than mathematical expression. Table 4 presents the final 19 success rules for the components/sub-components of a TP and the percentage of experts' agreement which ranged between 57 and 95%.

5. Conclusion

Based on their experience in preparing and supervising masters and doctoral theses and after a thorough review of the literature on preparing thesis proposals, the authors drafted a conception of a successful thesis proposal comprising specific definitions, attributes and rules for each of the 13 components of a standard TP. The conception had been applied over a duration of 15 years (2005–2020) on several batches of master and doctoral students in IAU, KSA. Through an online survey, the majority of students (78–100%) have indicated that understanding and applying the conception helped them improve their performances and outputs during the TP development process and beyond.

The conception was then validated by getting the insights of 39 experienced academics from worldwide architectural schools. The experts accepted the proposed definitions with (73–96%) agreement rate. The experts also accepted the proposed attributes with (59–96%) agreement rate. As for the success rules, the experts' agreed as well with an acceptance rate ranging from (57–95%). The experts suggested constructive remarks which were considered in writing the final version of the conception.

The extracted success rules combine the definitions and attributes of each component of the TP and present them in a concise statement which defines the component and, where applicable, exemplifies its relationship to another corresponding or counterpart component of the TP. For example, rule #1 shows that “research title” should reflect “the general aim and scope of the research” and should also reflect “the negative wording of the research problem”. Extracted also is rule #14 which indicates that “the whole thesis proposal” written in future tenses, should resemble “the introduction of the final thesis” written in past tenses.

A directive tool that assists the researcher in writing a sound TP. Combining the last three tables (2, 3 and 4) into a comprehensive checklist would aid the students in preparing their TP's; enhancing the quality of their performance and outputs.

An evaluative tool that helps in assessing the validity and integrity of the submitted TP's that can be used by the researcher for self-assessment, or by the academic advisor, or by an examiner/evaluator before sending the proposal to higher authorities for approval.

The findings of this paper could be useful not only in evaluating thesis proposals, but also, with proper modifications, in assessing various scientific research documents, including scientific thesis, research papers and others; which is another research topic that will be addressed in the future.

architecture research paper example

The stages of developing the successful thesis proposal conception

Proposed list of success rules for the TP components

#Research proposal componentEqualsThe corresponding component
1Research title=The general aim of the research
=Solving the main research problem
2The abstract=Profiles of all components of the research proposal
3Keywords=Title in a fragmented manner
=Words that compose the research title
4Background=Gradual preparation of the reader to enter the study
5The statement of the problem
5–1General problem of research=The main cause of quantitative or qualitative deficiency in the investigated environment
5–2Research sub-problems=The secondary causes of each sub-problem of the general problem
5–3Research consequences=Subsidiary symptoms of the general illness of the examined environment
6Research questions=Presenting general problem and sub-problems of the research in the question format
7Research aims, goals and objectives=Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely goals
7–1General aim of the research=Solving the general problem of the research
7–2Procedural objectives of the research=Research stages
=Sections or chapters of the thesis
7–3Development objectives of the research=Solving sub-problems of the study
=Finding a cure for the secondary causes of the problem
8The scope of the research=Thematic, geographical and temporal limits of the study
9Importance of the study and expected contributions=expected positive impacts of research (theoretical, practical or both)
10Preliminary review of literature=Building a comprehensive conception from previous studies about the causes and consequences of the problem, the methodologies used to understand and analyse it, the most important findings and the solutions developed to deal with it
11Research methodology=Techniques, methods and tools used in each stage of study
12Research skeleton and completion timeline=Main chapters of research along the completion timeline
=Stages of the scientific research process along the completion timeline
12List of references=Latest local and international references about the research
14Thesis proposal (using future tenses)=General introduction of the final thesis (Using past tenses)
: Prepared by the authors based on the above definitions and attributes of the TP components

#Component of a thesis proposal% of experts agreement ofExperts additional remarks
Proposed definition%
1Research titleThe first item that appears to the reader. It invites the reader to proceed to other contents73It should be reflective of research topic, questions, objectives, content and approach and convey the aim, the purpose, the scope and the outcome
2The abstractThe first item that appears in the TP after the title and of the same significance. It calls the reader in or alienates him out79Although some experts commented that in several schools an abstract is not a compulsory component of TP, 79% of the experts agreed that the abstract is needed
3KeywordsA set of words or terms used for archiving, tabulation and electronic search on databases75Keywords are better written by splitting the title into its separate single words or terms. They should include essential terms describing the research topic, the unique sub-specializations and focus of the research (what is researched), the contextual scope of the research (where and when) and the used research methodology (how to conduct the research)
4BackgroundA gradual preparation from the larger scientific field to the specific field, from wider geographic area to the immediate area, and from the strategic level to the level closer to the examined problem74The background should place the study within the larger context of the research, create interest to the reader and catch his attention, help him understand why the study is significant, include limitation and arguments of pervious research, and include quotations and statistics leading the reader to go to the next component of the TP
5Statement of the problem
5–1Statement of the general research problemA narrative describing a negative situation prevailing in the investigated urban environment/ecosystem or architectural setting92A statement which stimulates interest in the study; scientifically explained to convey a simple, clear and specific issue to which a reader can relate”; “equivalent to the negative wording of the research aim”; and “in the humanities and social sciences many dissertations endeavour to establish the conditions of the problem, not to solve it
5–2Statement of the research sub-problemsA narrative that describes the general problem in detail; sub-problems are simply the various causes of the general problem84One expert commented that “the above definition is valid and useful in causal research types only; other research types might consider different approaches”
5–3Consequences of the problemA narrative that describes the effects of sub-problems on the investigated environment83None
6Research questionsA set of questions the research tries to answer. Each question usually covers one of the research sub-problems96None
7Research aim/goal/objectivesThe goal should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely96None
7–1General aim of the researchA specific and clear statement presenting the overall purpose of the study96None
7–2Procedural objectives of the researchThe sub-goals emanating from the main aim of the study. They provide a roadmap and illustrate important stages leading to sequential targets towards achieving the general aim79They are articulated sub-goals that in their totality compose the main research aim
7–3Development objectives of the researchThe objectives which focus on solving the research sub-problems and eventually solving the main problem of the investigated situation74None
8Research scopeA statement which defines the thematic, geographical/spatial and temporal limits of research None
9Research significance and contributionsHighlight potential positive impacts of the study on the life and environmental qualities87Expected contributions can only be tentative in the early research proposal stage, the researcher must remain open to unexpected findings upon the finishing stage of his/her study
10Preliminary review of literatureBuilds an initial understanding of the problem, identify the most important variables considered, cite methodologies used; make use of the latest findings and record the various recommendations/solutions suggested91Related directly to the stated research questions; identify areas of controversy in the literature; describe the relationship of each work to others; point the way forward for further research; and be organized into categories or themes
11Research methodologyContains explanation of the appropriate methods to be used in data collection, analysis, synthesis and presentation; for the extraction of results; and for the development of appropriate approaches or solutions to deal with the research problem82None
12Research structure and timelineA brief statement of the main sections of the master's/doctoral thesis arranged on the tentative dates for completing the various stages of the research95None
13List of referencesA list which contains a reasonable number of relevant references on the topic82None
: Prepared by the authors based on the above analysis and the results of expert inquiry

An extracted list of success rules for thesis proposals

Rule #% of experts agreedSuccess rule
Component of a thesis proposalRelationship nature (→)Its concise definition (and/or) its relationship to another component/s
160%Research titleShould reflectThe general aim and scope of the research
The negative wording of the research problem
275%The abstractShould beA concise brief of all necessary components of the research proposal
374%KeywordsShould includeTerms representing research title, topic, unique sub-specializations, methodology and scope
474%Research backgroundShould coverA gradual contextual literary analysis relevant to the study preparing the reader to enter the study
5 The statement of the problem
5–173%Statement of the general research problemShould reflectThe main cause of a quantitative and/or qualitative deficiency in the environment under investigation
The negative wording of the research aim
5–280%Research sub-problemsShould describeThe subsidiary causes of the main problem
5–379%Consequences of the ProblemShould describeSubsidiary symptoms of the general illness of the examined environment
679%Research questionsShould rephraseThe research sub-problems in a question format
The research objectives in a question format
763%Research aims, goals and objectivesShould beSMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely)
7–163%General aim of the researchShould reflectA target responding to the general research problem/question
A potential alternative scenario that may enable the development of solutions
The research title with the same or different wording
7–257%Procedural objectives of the researchShould articulate/representThe sub-goals that compose the main research aim
The stages of the research
The sections or chapters of the thesis
7–370%Development objectives of the researchShould reflectTargeted solutions to the sub-problems of the study
Targeted possible cures/fixes for the subsidiary causes of the problem
883%Research scopeShould coverThematic, geographic and temporal limits of the study
987%Research significance and contributionsShould highlightThe expected positive theoretical or practical impacts of the research or both
1095%Preliminary review of literatureShould coverA well-documented, structured, analysed and synthesized critical review of relevant research
1182%Research methodologyShould explainThe methods, techniques and tools used to accomplish the research objectives in each stage of the study
1282%Research structure and timelineShould articulate/representThe stages/phases of the research and their expected completion dates
The main chapters of the research distributed along the completion timeline
1377%List of referencesShould presentThe references relevant to the research problem
14General ruleThe thesis proposal (using future tenses)Should resembleThe general introduction of the final thesis (using past tenses)

Source(s) : Prepared by the authors based on the above analysis and the results of expert inquiry

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the sincere assistance provided by the team of experts from several Architectural Schools worldwide to verify and improve the TP Conception. Appreciation is also extended to the post graduate students of the College of Architecture and Planning, IAU, who have positively responded to the students' opinion survey.

Corresponding author

About the authors.

Mahmoud Abdellatif is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam, Saudi Arabia. He received an MSc from Assuit University, Egypt in 1977 and another MSc from Iowa State University in 1981 and a PhD degree from Texas A&M University in 1985. He has taught and practiced Architecture and Urban Planning for more than 45 years in Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. His main research focus is on research methods, strategic planning and design and development approaches. He is currently the adviser of IAU Vice President for Studies, Development and Community Services. His last book (published in Arabic) entitled The Simplifying-Integrating Approach to Contemporary Design, Planning and Urban Development articulates his own problem-solving approach. He is the principle editor of the Strategic Plan of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University 2018–2025.

Reham Abdellatif is an Assistant Professor in Architecture, College of Design, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam, Saudi Arabia. She obtained an MSc degree from Assiut University in 2003 and a PhD degree from Newcastle University, UK, in 2012. She has taught and practiced Architecture and Interior Design for more than 22 years in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Her main research focus is on Architectural Education and Curriculum Development, Analysing Design Learning Activities, Distant/Online Learning, Communication and Computation, VR and Information Technologies in Architecture. She ran the interior design curriculum development committee in Assiut University and in IAU.

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paper cover thumbnail

Architectural Research Paradigms: an overview and a research example

Profile image of Peter Andreas Sattrup

As Architectural Research is in the process of re-establishing itself as a research discipline according to university standards, it may appear as if the pool of knowledge generated by more than three millennia of experimental research and its internal systems of evaluation are being grossly devalued and colonized by attitudes to research that are imported or even imposed from the outside. Does architectural research have to rely on imported theory from philosophy, the social or the natural sciences in order to meet societal acceptance of its relevance? What constitutes architectural research as a particular research discipline, what are its main characteristics and how can its paradigms, methodologies, strategies and tactics be described? What should be essential aspects of doctoral curriculae in architecture? Discussing Groat and Wang’s Architectural Research Methods in the light of Reflected Practice, and Organizational Knowledge Creation, a framework is presented that includes e...

Related Papers

Philip D Plowright

Historically, an argument can be made that architectural research was produced internal to firms and manufacturers as proprietary objects or sets of data. The concept of disciplines and professions reinforced the separation of open-sourced knowledge and the application of that knowledge in a commercial context. However, design has rapidly changed from an object-solution profession and is now faced with finding solutions to complex problems within complex systems. The past practice model of client, architect, and final product seems an ill-fit in this new context. The question is how to integrate a critical research process into a professional capacity in which that architectural research needs an inherent and immediate value to be performed or pursued. The SYNCH Research Group [synchRG] was formed in response to this question. Although research consortiums, design initiatives and research centres exist within many schools of architecture, most operate as a department or extensions of a school of architecture. SynchRG operates in neither private practice nor as a division of the university. Organized as a diverse and fluid association of faculty, students, professionals, and consultants, the synchRG group is focused on a design methodology and philosophical structure rather than a client, site, building, typology, or object. The focus on idiosyncratic or aesthetic solutions to singular problems is set aside in order to provide a collaborative intellectual space for professional based explorations. The paper will examine synchRG’s response to current architectural research challenges and illustrate its unique structure as a possible model to be replicated. A dialogue will be initiated on a model for practice aligned with both academia and industry

architecture research paper example

ARCC Journal, 6/2

Anirban Adhya , Philip D Plowright

Historically, an argument can be made that architectural research was produced internal to firms and manufacturers as proprietary objects or sets of data. The concept of disciplines and professions reinforced the separation of open-sourced knowledge and the application of that knowledge in a commercial context. However, design has rapidly changed from an object-solution profession and is now faced with finding solutions to complex problems within complex systems. The past practice model of client, architect, and final product seems an ill-fit in this new context. The question is how to integrate a critical research process into a professional capacity in which that architectural research needs an inherent and immediate value to be performed or pursued. The SYNCH Research Group [synchRG] was formed in response to this question. Although research consortiums, design initiatives and research centres exist within many schools of architecture, most operate as a department or extensions of a school of architecture. SynchRG operates in neither private practice nor as a division of the university. Organized as a diverse and fluid association of faculty, students, professionals, and consultants, the synchRG group is focused on a design methodology and philosophical structure rather than a client, site, building, typology, or object. The focus on idiosyncratic or aesthetic solutions to singular problems is set aside in order to provide a collaborative intellectual space for professional based explorations. The paper will examine synchRG’s response to current architectural research challenges and illustrate its unique structure as a possible model to be replicated. A dialogue will be initiated on a model for practice aligned with both academia and industry.

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research

Ashraf M. Salama

DOWNLOAD FULL PAPER HERE: https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-01-2019-0012 Ashraf M. Salama, (2019) "Methodological research in architecture and allied disciplines: Philosophical positions, frames of reference, and spheres of inquiry", Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, Vol. 13 Issue: 1, pp.8-24, https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-01-2019-0012 ___________________________________ Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute an inclusive insight into methodological research in architecture and allied disciplines and unravel aspects that include philosophical positions, frames of reference and spheres of inquiry. Design/methodology/approach Following ontological and epistemological interpretations, the adopted methodology involves conceptual and critical analysis which is based on reviewing and categorising classical literature and more than hundred contributions in architectural and design research developed over the past five decades which were classified under the perspectives of inquiry and frames of reference. Findings Postulated through three philosophical positions – positivism, anti-positivism and emancipationist – six frames of reference were identified: systematic, computational, managerial, psychological, person–environment type-A and person–environment type-B. Technically oriented research and conceptually driven research were categorised as the perspectives of inquiry and were scrutinised together with their developmental aspects. By mapping the philosophical positions to the frames of reference, various characteristics and spheres of inquiry within each frame of reference were revealed. Research limitations/implications Further detailed examples can be developed to offer discerning elucidations relevant to each frame of reference. Practical implications The study is viewed as an enabling mechanism for researchers to identify the unique particularities of their research and the way in which it is pursued. Originality/value The study is a response to a glaring dearth of cognisance and a reaction to a growing but confusing body of knowledge that does not offer a clear picture of what research in architecture is. By identifying key characteristics, philosophical positions and frames of reference that pertain to the research in architecture and associated disciplines, the findings represent a scholastic endeavour in its field.

Common Edge

Richard Buday

Why can’t the profession develop a more rigorous approach?

Knowing (by) Designing

Fredrik Nilsson

Michael A R Biggs

Joao M B M Sequeira

This article results from three conferences organized by the research project titled "Architectural research framework" developed by the research center Architectural Lab – LabART – of the Lusófona University, and also by my personal experiences and dialogs with other members of the EAAE research committee. Architectural research always existed, but only recently some major questions have emerged, by the time that Europe started the last universitary reform on the 80's. Two aspects are crucial in understanding the problematic that we are referring to. On the one hand we verify that the architectural teaching should maintain the articulation and close relationship between the theoretical and practical aspects. On the other hand, there is a need to confer academic degrees, as the MsC and PhD's in the Faculties of Architecture. Inevitably, discussions began about the scientificity of architecture (its grounding), the types of research, methodological models, as well a...

SCIRES-IT : SCIentific RESearch and Information Technology

Cristina Bianchetti

Sudipto Ghosh

Architectural Research Quarterly

Jane Rendell

There are at present considerable concerns with how architectural research will be assessed in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) of 2008. In RAE 2001, most architectural research was submitted to one of three Units of Assessment (UoA): 33 Built Environment, 60 History of Art, Architecture and Design, and 64 Art and Design. There were subtle, but important, differences in output definition and assessment criteria between UoA 33 and UoA 64 with respect to practice-led research. Most importantly, in UoA 33 practice-led outputs were accepted by the panel, but only as publications, whereas UoA 64 assessed practice-led research outputs accompanied by a 300-word statement that clarified the contributions of that particular research to the development of original knowledge in the field. The diversity of methods and complexity of output types, combined with the composition of UoA 33, led to results that many feel did not properly reflect the strengths of architectural design, particular...

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Researching and Writing an Architecture Paper

Quick Links

Finding Journal Articles

Here is a list of important architecture journals you might be interested in browsing. These are just a few examples. Do not discount a journal because it's not on the list. Occasionally you might find an article that may be considered scholarly even though the journal is not considered scholarly. Ask your professor or GSI when in doubt.

The current issues of architectural journals are available to you for browsing on the second floor of the library. They are organized alphabetically in the low brown cases to your left as you face the Reserves Desk. The oversize journals are on the tall shelves behind the New Book Shelf. Bound journals (containing older issues) are organized by call number and are in the room through the glass doors beyond the current journals.

Click on the links in the list below to see if electronic access is available for the journal. Please note that not all journals will be available electronically.

Databases for Architecture Research

The most appropriate database for finding articles on architectural subjects is the Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals .  

The Avery Index and other relevant databases for your research are listed here:

RTF | Rethinking The Future

The Practice of Architectural Research: How to start

architecture research paper example

Architectural research is the organized investigation done in the architectural field by studying materials and sources to generate insights, knowledge, and understanding. This research is based on tools, competencies, and methods found in the architectural field and possesses its strategies, scope, knowledge base and tactics. Research is vital to architectural practice, as it teaches prospective architects important architectural skills in research. Exposure to research-based education for architecture students creates better development and learning experiences. Research in schools helps to create a research mentality in architects.

The Practice of Architectural Research: How to start - Sheet1

There was a rise in the independence of architectural theory as a discipline in the 1960s, developing the theory of architectural practice. This creates a self-referential and independent area in architecture which is separate from the world of production and the sphere of action. The break between theory and practice was stated to be linked in the 1990s through the development and use of ontological research of exemplary buildings integrated with analytical research methods. This approach was developed by architects in the academic field, and it focuses on the principles of architecture, grand narratives production and the voice of the architect.

There are three types of research approaches in architecture, with each having a distinct approach (Seppo  et al.  2002). Practice-based research and architectural design -based research are created from the architect’s theory or related disciplines. These two types of research are research approaches which are theory-based and come from scientific practice. The action research approach is the last type of architectural research; it is practice-oriented and originates from architectural practice. This article will consider methods to go about the action research approach and the architectural design-based research.

Architectural design -based research 

The Practice of Architectural Research: How to start - Sheet2

Create your research paper topic

Identifying a research topic is the first line of action in starting research. Architecture is a broad field of study with different research areas such as architectural history, philosophy of architecture, design theory, interpretation of architecture , etc. Reviewing from a wide perspective to a narrower perspective enables one to grasp the topic better.

Resources Gathering 

Choosing a research topic is followed by obtaining relevant data to carry out the research. This relevant data may include building codes and existing research to write discussion points. These existing studies are found in articles and journals and must be cited accordingly if used in the research paper. Research resources are also collected by the use of research questions developed, which serves as the advanced search feature.

Structure of the research paper

The detailed structuring of a research paper involves arranging the points in an orderly way for the smooth flow of the article. Abstract and introduction are the first point of call in a research paper. They are important elements of the research paper, providing the overview for a reader to continue going over the research paper.

Review the research paper

A research paper must be properly cited and reviewed after writing to correct errors within the article . This review can be done using an editing tool which helps produce grammatically correct content which is easily understandable by the reader. A proper citation of the article should be carried out to acknowledge the use of individuals’ ideas and for further reading by prospective readers.

Getting Funding | Architectural Research

Funding is a major issue in carrying out architectural research. There are numerous ways to get funding for research projects. Architectural bodies offer to fund researchers, which the funding is based on how feasible the projects are and their relevance to the architectural field. Schools also provide funding for researchers and some help researchers in finding grant opportunities.

Action research approach | Architectural Research

architecture research paper example

Research Strategy

In action research, knowledge is developed and integrated into a particular area in the architectural field. This knowledge is researched by an architectural firm, which in turn focuses its research efforts on aligning with the firm’s business strategy . Architectural research is carried out by different organizations to give the firm strategic benefits and a comparative advantage in the field. This research may focus on the technical or the material research process to create new areas of expertise for the firm or improve the current areas.

architecture research paper example

Daring during research

Architectural firms sometimes focus their research on new and revolutionary innovations as opposed to research aimed at improving the current architectural field. Research is made to test new methods and ideas, i.e., research is mistake bound and about trial and error. Risky research gives the firm a comparative advantage and can cause a big edge in business.

Networking in research

Building a network of experts and advisers focused on research in an architectural firm. This group tests and discusses new concepts which are essential in research. Networking is used to gather knowledge about new research development and new ideas across the research areas. Networking creates an ecosystem of research collaborators which create new knowledge in the field and recognize what happens in the architectural profession.

Teamwork in Research

Collaboration within a firm to carry out research in the architectural field is another dilemma for architectural firms. Architecture is an area that focuses on creativity, and such creativity can be discovered through collaboration. Teamwork should be encouraged in research as it produces new design processes and conceptual ideas through an iterative process which gives a competitive advantage to the architectural firm involved in the research.

Involving the academics | Architectural Research

The architecture academia is focused on research and development, which is an interesting area for architectural firms. Encouraging the participation of academic researchers to participate in a firm’s research through workshops . This allows for a better understanding of happenings both in academics and in architectural practice, such as the time pressures of practice and roles in research projects.

References:

The Practice of Architectural Research: How to start - Sheet1

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Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research

Before you start

For queries relating to the status of your paper pre decision, please contact the Editor or Journal Editorial Office. For queries post acceptance, please contact the Supplier Project Manager. These details can be found in the Editorial Team section.

Author responsibilities

Our goal is to provide you with a professional and courteous experience at each stage of the review and publication process. There are also some responsibilities that sit with you as the author. Our expectation is that you will:

Generative AI usage key principles

Research and publishing ethics

Our editors and employees work hard to ensure the content we publish is ethically sound. To help us achieve that goal, we closely follow the advice laid out in the guidelines and flowcharts on the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) website .

We have also developed our research and publishing ethics guidelines . If you haven’t already read these, we urge you to do so – they will help you avoid the most common publishing ethics issues.

A few key points:

Third party copyright permissions

Prior to article submission, you need to ensure you’ve applied for, and received, written permission to use any material in your manuscript that has been created by a third party. Please note, we are unable to publish any article that still has permissions pending. The rights we require are:

We are a member of the International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers (STM) and participate in the STM permissions guidelines , a reciprocal free exchange of material with other STM publishers.  In some cases, this may mean that you don’t need permission to re-use content. If so, please highlight this at the submission stage.

Please take a few moments to read our guide to publishing permissions  to ensure you have met all the requirements, so that we can process your submission without delay.

Open access submissions and information

All our journals currently offer two open access (OA) publishing paths; gold open access and green open access.

If you would like to, or are required to, make the branded publisher PDF (also known as the version of record) freely available immediately upon publication, you can select the gold open access route once your paper is accepted. 

If you’ve chosen to publish gold open access, this is the point you will be asked to pay the APC (article processing charge) . This varies per journal and can be found on our APC price list or on the editorial system at the point of submission. Your article will be published with a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 user licence , which outlines how readers can reuse your work.

Alternatively, if you would like to, or are required to, publish open access but your funding doesn’t cover the cost of the APC, you can choose the green open access, or self-archiving, route. As soon as your article is published, you can make the author accepted manuscript (the version accepted for publication) openly available, free from payment and embargo periods.

You can find out more about our open access routes, our APCs and waivers and read our FAQs on our open research page. 

Find out about open

Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) Guidelines

We are a signatory of the Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) Guidelines , a framework that supports the reproducibility of research through the adoption of transparent research practices. That means we encourage you to:

Prepare your submission

Manuscript support services.

We are pleased to partner with Editage, a platform that connects you with relevant experts in language support, translation, editing, visuals, consulting, and more. After you’ve agreed a fee, they will work with you to enhance your manuscript and get it submission-ready.

This is an optional service for authors who feel they need a little extra support. It does not guarantee your work will be accepted for review or publication.

Visit Editage

Manuscript requirements

Before you submit your manuscript, it’s important you read and follow the guidelines below. You will also find some useful tips in our structure your journal submission how-to guide.

Article files should be provided in Microsoft Word format.

While you are welcome to submit a PDF of the document alongside the Word file, PDFs alone are not acceptable. LaTeX files can also be used but only if an accompanying PDF document is provided. Acceptable figure file types are listed further below.

Articles should be up to a maximum of 10000 words in length. This includes all text, for example, the structured abstract, references, all text in tables, and figures and appendices.

 

Please allow 280 words for each figure or table.

A concisely worded title should be provided.

The names of all contributing authors should be added to the ScholarOne submission; please list them in the order in which you’d like them to be published. Each contributing author will need their own ScholarOne author account, from which we will extract the following details:

(institutional preferred). . We will reproduce it exactly, so any middle names and/or initials they want featured must be included. . This should be where they were based when the research for the paper was conducted.

In multi-authored papers, it’s important that ALL authors that have made a significant contribution to the paper are listed. Those who have provided support but have not contributed to the research should be featured in an acknowledgements section. You should never include people who have not contributed to the paper or who don’t want to be associated with the research. Read about our for authorship.

If you want to include these items, save them in a separate Microsoft Word document and upload the file with your submission. Where they are included, a brief professional biography of not more than 100 words should be supplied for each named author.

Your article must reference all sources of external research funding in the acknowledgements section. You should describe the role of the funder or financial sponsor in the entire research process, from study design to submission.

All submissions must include a structured abstract, following the format outlined below.

These four sub-headings and their accompanying explanations must always be included:

The following three sub-headings are optional and can be included, if applicable:


You can find some useful tips in our  how-to guide.

The maximum length of your abstract should be 250 words in total, including keywords and article classification (see the sections below).

Your submission should include up to 12 appropriate and short keywords that capture the principal topics of the paper. Our  how to guide contains some practical guidance on choosing search-engine friendly keywords.

Please note, while we will always try to use the keywords you’ve suggested, the in-house editorial team may replace some of them with matching terms to ensure consistency across publications and improve your article’s visibility.

During the submission process, you will be asked to select a type for your paper; the options are listed below. If you don’t see an exact match, please choose the best fit:

You will also be asked to select a category for your paper. The options for this are listed below. If you don’t see an exact match, please choose the best fit:

 Reports on any type of research undertaken by the author(s), including:

 Covers any paper where content is dependent on the author's opinion and interpretation. This includes journalistic and magazine-style pieces.

 Describes and evaluates technical products, processes or services.

 Focuses on developing hypotheses and is usually discursive. Covers philosophical discussions and comparative studies of other authors’ work and thinking.

 Describes actual interventions or experiences within organizations. It can be subjective and doesn’t generally report on research. Also covers a description of a legal case or a hypothetical case study used as a teaching exercise.

 This category should only be used if the main purpose of the paper is to annotate and/or critique the literature in a particular field. It could be a selective bibliography providing advice on information sources, or the paper may aim to cover the main contributors to the development of a topic and explore their different views.

 Provides an overview or historical examination of some concept, technique or phenomenon. Papers are likely to be more descriptive or instructional (‘how to’ papers) than discursive.

Headings must be concise, with a clear indication of the required hierarchy. 

The preferred format is for first level headings to be in bold, and subsequent sub-headings to be in medium italics.

Notes or endnotes should only be used if absolutely necessary. They should be identified in the text by consecutive numbers enclosed in square brackets. These numbers should then be listed, and explained, at the end of the article.

All figures (charts, diagrams, line drawings, webpages/screenshots, and photographic images) should be submitted electronically. Both colour and black and white files are accepted.

There are a few other important points to note:

Tables should be typed and submitted in a separate file to the main body of the article. The position of each table should be clearly labelled in the main body of the article with corresponding labels clearly shown in the table file. Tables should be numbered consecutively in Roman numerals (e.g. I, II, etc.).

Give each table a brief title. Ensure that any superscripts or asterisks are shown next to the relevant items and have explanations displayed as footnotes to the table, figure or plate.

Where tables, figures, appendices, and other additional content are supplementary to the article but not critical to the reader’s understanding of it, you can choose to host these supplementary files alongside your article on Insight, Emerald’s content-hosting platform (this is Emerald's recommended option as we are able to ensure the data remain accessible), or on an alternative trusted online repository. All supplementary material must be submitted prior to acceptance.

Emerald recommends that authors use the following two lists when searching for a suitable and trusted repository:

   

, you must submit these as separate files alongside your article. Files should be clearly labelled in such a way that makes it clear they are supplementary; Emerald recommends that the file name is descriptive and that it follows the format ‘Supplementary_material_appendix_1’ or ‘Supplementary tables’. All supplementary material must be mentioned at the appropriate moment in the main text of the article; there is no need to include the content of the file only the file name. A link to the supplementary material will be added to the article during production, and the material will be made available alongside the main text of the article at the point of EarlyCite publication.

Please note that Emerald will not make any changes to the material; it will not be copy-edited or typeset, and authors will not receive proofs of this content. Emerald therefore strongly recommends that you style all supplementary material ahead of acceptance of the article.

Emerald Insight can host the following file types and extensions:

, you should ensure that the supplementary material is hosted on the repository ahead of submission, and then include a link only to the repository within the article. It is the responsibility of the submitting author to ensure that the material is free to access and that it remains permanently available. Where an alternative trusted online repository is used, the files hosted should always be presented as read-only; please be aware that such usage risks compromising your anonymity during the review process if the repository contains any information that may enable the reviewer to identify you; as such, we recommend that all links to alternative repositories are reviewed carefully prior to submission.

Please note that extensive supplementary material may be subject to peer review; this is at the discretion of the journal Editor and dependent on the content of the material (for example, whether including it would support the reviewer making a decision on the article during the peer review process).

All references in your manuscript must be formatted using one of the recognised Harvard styles. You are welcome to use the Harvard style Emerald has adopted – we’ve provided a detailed guide below. Want to use a different Harvard style? That’s fine, our typesetters will make any necessary changes to your manuscript if it is accepted. Please ensure you check all your citations for completeness, accuracy and consistency.

References to other publications in your text should be written as follows:

, 2006) Please note, ‘ ' should always be written in italics.

A few other style points. These apply to both the main body of text and your final list of references.

At the end of your paper, please supply a reference list in alphabetical order using the style guidelines below. Where a DOI is available, this should be included at the end of the reference.

Surname, initials (year),  , publisher, place of publication.

e.g. Harrow, R. (2005),  , Simon & Schuster, New York, NY.

Surname, initials (year), "chapter title", editor's surname, initials (Ed.), , publisher, place of publication, page numbers.

e.g. Calabrese, F.A. (2005), "The early pathways: theory to practice – a continuum", Stankosky, M. (Ed.),  , Elsevier, New York, NY, pp.15-20.

Surname, initials (year), "title of article",  , volume issue, page numbers.

e.g. Capizzi, M.T. and Ferguson, R. (2005), "Loyalty trends for the twenty-first century",  , Vol. 22 No. 2, pp.72-80.

Surname, initials (year of publication), "title of paper", in editor’s surname, initials (Ed.),  , publisher, place of publication, page numbers.

e.g. Wilde, S. and Cox, C. (2008), “Principal factors contributing to the competitiveness of tourism destinations at varying stages of development”, in Richardson, S., Fredline, L., Patiar A., & Ternel, M. (Ed.s),  , Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, pp.115-118.

Surname, initials (year), "title of paper", paper presented at [name of conference], [date of conference], [place of conference], available at: URL if freely available on the internet (accessed date).

e.g. Aumueller, D. (2005), "Semantic authoring and retrieval within a wiki", paper presented at the European Semantic Web Conference (ESWC), 29 May-1 June, Heraklion, Crete, available at: http://dbs.uni-leipzig.de/file/aumueller05wiksar.pdf (accessed 20 February 2007).

Surname, initials (year), "title of article", working paper [number if available], institution or organization, place of organization, date.

e.g. Moizer, P. (2003), "How published academic research can inform policy decisions: the case of mandatory rotation of audit appointments", working paper, Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, Leeds, 28 March.

 (year), "title of entry", volume, edition, title of encyclopaedia, publisher, place of publication, page numbers.

e.g.   (1926), "Psychology of culture contact", Vol. 1, 13th ed., Encyclopaedia Britannica, London and New York, NY, pp.765-771.

(for authored entries, please refer to book chapter guidelines above)

Surname, initials (year), "article title",  , date, page numbers.

e.g. Smith, A. (2008), "Money for old rope",  , 21 January, pp.1, 3-4.

 (year), "article title", date, page numbers.

e.g.   (2008), "Small change", 2 February, p.7.

Surname, initials (year), "title of document", unpublished manuscript, collection name, inventory record, name of archive, location of archive.

e.g. Litman, S. (1902), "Mechanism & Technique of Commerce", unpublished manuscript, Simon Litman Papers, Record series 9/5/29 Box 3, University of Illinois Archives, Urbana-Champaign, IL.

If available online, the full URL should be supplied at the end of the reference, as well as the date that the resource was accessed.

Surname, initials (year), “title of electronic source”, available at: persistent URL (accessed date month year).

e.g. Weida, S. and Stolley, K. (2013), “Developing strong thesis statements”, available at: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/1/ (accessed 20 June 2018)

Standalone URLs, i.e. those without an author or date, should be included either inside parentheses within the main text, or preferably set as a note (Roman numeral within square brackets within text followed by the full URL address at the end of the paper).

Surname, initials (year),  , name of data repository, available at: persistent URL, (accessed date month year).

e.g. Campbell, A. and Kahn, R.L. (2015),  , ICPSR07218-v4, Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (distributor), Ann Arbor, MI, available at: https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR07218.v4 (accessed 20 June 2018)

Submit your manuscript

There are a number of key steps you should follow to ensure a smooth and trouble-free submission.

Double check your manuscript

Before submitting your work, it is your responsibility to check that the manuscript is complete, grammatically correct, and without spelling or typographical errors. A few other important points:

You will find a helpful submission checklist on the website Think.Check.Submit .

The submission process

All manuscripts should be submitted through our editorial system by the corresponding author.

The only way to submit to the journal is through the journal’s ScholarOne site as accessed via the Emerald website, and not by email or through any third-party agent/company, journal representative, or website. Submissions should be done directly by the author(s) through the ScholarOne site and not via a third-party proxy on their behalf.

A separate author account is required for each journal you submit to. If this is your first time submitting to this journal, please choose the Create an account or Register now option in the editorial system. If you already have an Emerald login, you are welcome to reuse the existing username and password here.

Please note, the next time you log into the system, you will be asked for your username. This will be the email address you entered when you set up your account.

Don't forget to add your  ORCiD ID during the submission process. It will be embedded in your published article, along with a link to the ORCiD registry allowing others to easily match you with your work.

Don’t have one yet? It only takes a few moments to register for a free ORCiD identifier .

Visit the ScholarOne support centre  for further help and guidance.

What you can expect next

You will receive an automated email from the journal editor, confirming your successful submission. It will provide you with a manuscript number, which will be used in all future correspondence about your submission. If you have any reason to suspect the confirmation email you receive might be fraudulent, please contact the journal editor in the first instance.

Post submission

Review and decision process.

Each submission is checked by the editor. At this stage, they may choose to decline or unsubmit your manuscript if it doesn’t fit the journal aims and scope, or they feel the language/manuscript quality is too low.

If they think it might be suitable for the publication, they will send it to at least two independent referees for double anonymous peer review.  Once these reviewers have provided their feedback, the editor may decide to accept your manuscript, request minor or major revisions, or decline your work.

While all journals work to different timescales, the goal is that the editor will inform you of their first decision within 60 days.

During this period, we will send you automated updates on the progress of your manuscript via our submission system, or you can log in to check on the current status of your paper.  Each time we contact you, we will quote the manuscript number you were given at the point of submission. If you receive an email that does not match these criteria, it could be fraudulent and we recommend you contact the journal editor in the first instance.

Manuscript transfer service

Emerald’s manuscript transfer service takes the pain out of the submission process if your manuscript doesn’t fit your initial journal choice. Our team of expert Editors from participating journals work together to identify alternative journals that better align with your research, ensuring your work finds the ideal publication home it deserves. Our dedicated team is committed to supporting authors like you in finding the right home for your research.

If a journal is participating in the manuscript transfer program, the Editor has the option to recommend your paper for transfer. If a transfer decision is made by the Editor, you will receive an email with the details of the recommended journal and the option to accept or reject the transfer. It’s always down to you as the author to decide if you’d like to accept. If you do accept, your paper and any reviewer reports will automatically be transferred to the recommended journals. Authors will then confirm resubmissions in the new journal’s ScholarOne system.

Our Manuscript Transfer Service page has more information on the process.

If your submission is accepted

Open access.

Once your paper is accepted, you will have the opportunity to indicate whether you would like to publish your paper via the gold open access route.

If you’ve chosen to publish gold open access, this is the point you will be asked to pay the APC (article processing charge).  This varies per journal and can be found on our APC price list or on the editorial system at the point of submission. Your article will be published with a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 user licence , which outlines how readers can reuse your work.

For UK journal article authors - if you wish to submit your work accepted by Emerald to REF 2021, you must make a ‘closed deposit’ of your accepted manuscript to your respective institutional repository upon acceptance of your article. Articles accepted for publication after 1st April 2018 should be deposited as soon as possible, but no later than three months after the acceptance date. For further information and guidance, please refer to the REF 2021 website.

All accepted authors are sent an email with a link to a licence form.  This should be checked for accuracy, for example whether contact and affiliation details are up to date and your name is spelled correctly, and then returned to us electronically. If there is a reason why you can’t assign copyright to us, you should discuss this with your journal content editor. You will find their contact details on the editorial team section above.

Proofing and typesetting

Once we have received your completed licence form, the article will pass directly into the production process. We will carry out editorial checks, copyediting, and typesetting and then return proofs to you (if you are the corresponding author) for your review. This is your opportunity to correct any typographical errors, grammatical errors or incorrect author details. We can’t accept requests to rewrite texts at this stage.

When the page proofs are finalised, the fully typeset and proofed version of record is published online. This is referred to as the EarlyCite version. While an EarlyCite article has yet to be assigned to a volume or issue, it does have a digital object identifier (DOI) and is fully citable. It will be compiled into an issue according to the journal’s issue schedule, with papers being added by chronological date of publication.

How to share your paper

Visit our author rights page  to find out how you can reuse and share your work.

To find tips on increasing the visibility of your published paper, read about  how to promote your work .

Correcting inaccuracies in your published paper

Sometimes errors are made during the research, writing and publishing processes. When these issues arise, we have the option of withdrawing the paper or introducing a correction notice. Find out more about our  article withdrawal and correction policies .

Need to make a change to the author list? See our frequently asked questions (FAQs) below.

Frequently asked questions

The only time we will ever ask you for money to publish in an Emerald journal is if you have chosen to publish via the gold open access route. You will be asked to pay an APC (article-processing charge) once your paper has been accepted (unless it is a sponsored open access journal), and never at submission.

At no other time will you be asked to contribute financially towards your article’s publication, processing, or review. If you haven’t chosen gold open access and you receive an email that appears to be from Emerald, the journal, or a third party, asking you for payment to publish, please contact our support team via .

Please contact the editor for the journal, with a copy of your CV. You will find their contact details on the editorial team tab on this page.

Typically, papers are added to an issue according to their date of publication. If you would like to know in advance which issue your paper will appear in, please contact the content editor of the journal. You will find their contact details on the editorial team tab on this page. Once your paper has been published in an issue, you will be notified by email.

Please email the journal editor – you will find their contact details on the editorial team tab on this page. If you ever suspect an email you’ve received from Emerald might not be genuine, you are welcome to verify it with the content editor for the journal, whose contact details can be found on the editorial team tab on this page.

If you’ve read the aims and scope on the journal landing page and are still unsure whether your paper is suitable for the journal, please email the editor and include your paper's title and structured abstract. They will be able to advise on your manuscript’s suitability. You will find their contact details on the Editorial team tab on this page.

Authorship and the order in which the authors are listed on the paper should be agreed prior to submission. We have a right first time policy on this and no changes can be made to the list once submitted. If you have made an error in the submission process, please email the Journal Editorial Office who will look into your request – you will find their contact details on the editorial team tab on this page.

Editor-in-Chief

Editorial Assistant

Regional Editor

Journal Editorial Office (For queries related to pre-acceptance)

Supplier Project Manager (For queries related to post-acceptance)

International Advisory Board

Review Board

CiteScore 2023

Further information

CiteScore is a simple way of measuring the citation impact of sources, such as journals.

Calculating the CiteScore is based on the number of citations to documents (articles, reviews, conference papers, book chapters, and data papers) by a journal over four years, divided by the number of the same document types indexed in Scopus and published in those same four years.

For more information and methodology visit the Scopus definition

CiteScore Tracker 2024

(updated monthly)

CiteScore Tracker is calculated in the same way as CiteScore, but for the current year rather than previous, complete years.

The CiteScore Tracker calculation is updated every month, as a current indication of a title's performance.

2023 Impact Factor

The Journal Impact Factor is published each year by Clarivate Analytics. It is a measure of the number of times an average paper in a particular journal is cited during the preceding two years.

For more information and methodology see Clarivate Analytics

5-year Impact Factor (2023)

A base of five years may be more appropriate for journals in certain fields because the body of citations may not be large enough to make reasonable comparisons, or it may take longer than two years to publish and distribute leading to a longer period before others cite the work.

Actual value is intentionally only displayed for the most recent year. Earlier values are available in the Journal Citation Reports from Clarivate Analytics .

Time to first decision

Time to first decision , expressed in days, the "first decision" occurs when the journal’s editorial team reviews the peer reviewers’ comments and recommendations. Based on this feedback, they decide whether to accept, reject, or request revisions for the manuscript.

Data is taken from submissions between 1st June 2023 and 31st May 2024

Acceptance rate

The acceptance rate is a measurement of how many manuscripts a journal accepts for publication compared to the total number of manuscripts submitted expressed as a percentage %

Data is taken from submissions between 1st June 2023 and 31st May 2024 .

This journal is abstracted and indexed by

Reviewer information

Peer review process.

This journal engages in a double-anonymous peer review process, which strives to match the expertise of a reviewer with the submitted manuscript. Reviews are completed with evidence of thoughtful engagement with the manuscript, provide constructive feedback, and add value to the overall knowledge and information presented in the manuscript.

The mission of the peer review process is to achieve excellence and rigour in scholarly publications and research.

Our vision is to give voice to professionals in the subject area who contribute unique and diverse scholarly perspectives to the field.

The journal values diverse perspectives from the field and reviewers who provide critical, constructive, and respectful feedback to authors. Reviewers come from a variety of organizations, careers, and backgrounds from around the world.

All invitations to review, abstracts, manuscripts, and reviews should be kept confidential. Reviewers must not share their review or information about the review process with anyone without the agreement of the editors and authors involved, even after publication. This also applies to other reviewers’ “comments to author” which are shared with you on decision.

architecture research paper example

Resources to guide you through the review process

Discover practical tips and guidance on all aspects of peer review in our reviewers' section. See how being a reviewer could benefit your career, and discover what's involved in shaping a review.

More reviewer information

Thank you to the 2022 Reviewers of Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research

The publishing and editorial teams would like to thank the following, for their invaluable service as 2022 reviewers for this journal. We are very grateful for the contributions made. With their help, the journal has been able to publish such high...

Thank you to the 2021 Reviewers of Archnet-IJAR

The publishing and editorial teams would like to thank the following, for their invaluable service as 2021 reviewers for this journal. We are very grateful for the contributions made. With their help, the journal has ...

Literati awards

2023 literati award winners banner

Archnet-IJAR - Literati Award Winners 2023

We are pleased to announce our 2023 Literati Award winners. Outstanding Paper Development of Special Needs Classroom ...

architecture research paper example

Archnet-IJAR - Literati Award Winners 2022

We are pleased to announce our 2022 Literati Award winners. Outstanding Paper Beyond the pandemic: the role...

architecture research paper example

Archnet-IJAR - Literati Award Winners 2021

We are pleased to announce our 2021 Literati Award winners. Outstanding Paper The impact of urban façade qu...

Archnet-IJAR is an interdisciplinary scholarly journal of architecture, urban design and planning, and built environment studies.

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Aims and scope

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research (ARCH) aims at establishing a bridge between theory and practice in these fields. The journal acts as a platform that reports on the latest research findings for examining buildings and urban environments and debates innovative approaches for creating responsive environments.

Archnet-IJAR is truly international and aims at strengthening ties between scholars, academics, and practitioners from the global north and the global south with contributors and readers reaching across the boundaries of cultures and geographies.

Archnet-IJAR publishes articles in two broad areas that address a wide range of topics and scales:

Brief History

Archnet-IJAR was launched in March 2007 as part of Archnet , considered to be the most comprehensive digital platform for architects, planners, urban designers, interior designers, landscape architects, and scholars working in these fields, developed at the MIT School of Architecture and Planning in close co-operation with the Aga Khan Documentation Centre (AKDC) of MIT Libraries.

Professor Ashraf M. Salama has been leading Archnet-IJAR  since its inception. In 2018,  Archnet-IJAR  was acquired by Emerald in order to foster its exposure and international appeal while enhancing its global presence.

Latest articles

These are the latest articles published in this journal (Last updated: May 2024 )

Our Common Gulf Cities: Agenda for equitable AEC industries for sustainable urban development

Linking education and practice gaps for inclusive architecture in the aec industry, employability skills in architecture and design: toward bridging the gap between academia and practice for saudi women employees, top downloaded articles.

These are the most downloaded articles over the last 12 months for this journal (Last updated: May 2024 )

The Impact of ASPECTSS-based Design Intervention in Autism School Design: a Case Study

Identifying key urban design attributes for enhanced sense of safety - the case of el-sherouk city in cairo, sustainable development goals and the future of architectural education -- cultivating sdgs-centred architectural pedagogies.

These are the top cited articles for this journal, from the last 12 months according to Crossref (Last updated: May 2024 )

Developing a guiding framework based on sustainable development to alleviate poverty, hunger, and disease

Analytical hierarchy process for ranking green neighbourhood efforts in the middle east and north africa region, related journals.

This journal is part of our Property management & built environment collection. Explore our Property management & built environment subject area to find out more.  

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How to Write a Research Paper on Architecture: Step-by-Step Guide

Sep 30, 2021

By Maramani House Plans

how to write a research paper on architecture

An architecture student that envisions joining the field in their career life can learn important architectural skills through writing research papers.

Also, researching and writing original architectural content allows students to channel what they’ve been learning into practical skills. These are skills they can use later in their career world.

To effectively write a quality piece of content, a student should choose a topic they understand well and adhere to the set structure parameters. 

How to Write a Research Paper on Architecture

Create your research paper topic.

The field of architecture is wide, but you must create a unique topic to help your paper stand out and avoid common  research paper writing mistakes . But, first, you should brainstorm from a broader perspective before researching for ideas online or from offline sources. 

Because the architecture field deals with building structures , building designs, and building plans , you should go a little deeper when researching topics such as how a historical city like Athens was built or how hanging bridges are designed.

Get some understanding of any loopholes in the design, as they will serve as important points in your paper.

You should then narrow down all the research topics you have chosen and focus on one topic.

Consolidate your information sources

With your research paper topic ready, your next step is to gather relevant information for writing your discussion points.

For example, suppose your research topic is on green architecture, AI in architecture, or changing culture and modern architecture, you need to immerse yourself in research again to get the right sources for information.

For architecture topics, books might be your focus. Architecture is an old practice, and there are hundreds of books written about great structures and how they were created.

For better results in your research, you can use the advanced search feature to  formulate research questions .  

Journals and articles form another excellent source for research. Take note of each source you come across, including the type of source, page number, publication date, author, and so on.

These details will be useful when citing your references at the end of your research paper.

how to write a research paper on architecture

Introduce your paper and create your thesis

The introduction and thesis are two important components of your research paper on architecture. They play a significant role in determining if someone will be interested in reading your paper or if they will just award some grades and move on to another paper. 

In one short paragraph, the introduction gives details of why anyone should read your paper. First, it focuses on the background information, then sheds light on the purpose of the paper.

The thesis, on the other hand, is often confused for the introduction, but it’s different. It summarizes the main point in your paper by stating the topic, the main idea, and briefly noting some supporting information. These could be supporting or opposing information. 

The points in your introduction and thesis should be strong, attractive, and highly relevant to your topic. It should urge the reader to continue reading.

Ask professionals for help on your research paper

Writing college research papers may be challenging due to time constraints, so you may choose to pay a professional for assistance.

For example, there was a time I was doing technical research in architectural design but did not have enough time to complete it. So, I  paid for research paper  at Edubirdie to help me save time and pursue other educational endeavors simultaneously.

Professional researchers understand what students go through when trying to meet assignment deadlines. 

Create a detailed structure

Even when you have all your sources, you may not write a well-structured paper if you don’t have a detailed order of how the information will flow. This order is your paper structure, and it outlines the number of headings you will use.

Ideally, your paper structure should start with the main heading, followed by the thesis, body, subheadings, conclusion, and ends with citations. It also highlights the points you will use to prove your arguments and other supporting information relevant to your paper.

In simple words, creating a detailed structure involves you arranging your points in an orderly manner so that once you begin to write, your content flow will be smooth.

how to write a research paper on architecture

Piece together all your information

Once your structure is ready, begin piecing together your headings, subheadings, supporting points, and every relevant information into a smart, well-thought, and widely researched paper. 

When writing, do not ignore the  paragraph structure  because it affects grammar flow, progression from one point to the next, and quality. Also, keep your focus on the main topic lest you wander away into irrelevant information.

Proofread, edit, and cite your paper

Your research paper on architecture will be incomplete without proper editing and citations.

For thorough editing, first read through your paper without using any editing tool. Then, correct the errors that you can easily pinpoint. Afterward, you can run the paper on an editing tool. The tool will help you achieve grammatically correct content that is attractive to your audience.

Even after editing using editing tools, take your time to read your paper again and then use the right citation format to cite your paper. After citing your paper, check for errors and plagiarism, and write the concluding paragraph. 

A research paper on architecture enhances students' research and writing skills. It helps students gain better knowledge of the architectural field, which will prove useful in the career world.

To write the best quality paper, students must commit themselves to research and use their cognitive skills to identify any loopholes in their sources. They must also pay attention to structure and paragraph flow to make their paper unique and attractive. 

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115 awesome architecture research topics: useful list of ideas.

architecture research topics

If you are reading this, it means you need to write an excellent architectural research paper and need some help choosing the topic. The good news is that our expert writers have just updated our list of 115 unique architecture research topics.

This means you can find some original ideas right here on this page. Of course, you can use any of our ideas for free – as long as you get an A+ on your next research paper.

Writing an Architecture Essay Quickly

If you are like most students, you probably don’t know how to write complex architecture research papers quickly. This can be a real problem, especially if you need to finish your essay quickly. After all, you probably have several other school projects to focus on – not to mention tests and exams. This is why we will give you more than just awesome architecture research paper topics. We will help you with a guide on how to write a great paper quickly:

Best Architectural Topics for Research

Now that you know what you need to do to write a paper quickly, you probably want to minimize the time you spend searching for architectural topics for research. This is where we can definitely help you. Take a look at our list of 115 awesome architecture paper topics and use as many of them as you like. All of them are 100% free!

Interesting Questions About Architecture

Here are some interesting questions about architecture that should fire up your creative engine:

Easy Research Topics in Architecture

If you don’t want to spend more than a few hours working on your architecture paper, we have a list of easy research topics in architecture right here:

Topics Related to Public Structures

Designing public structures is not an easy thing to do, but writing a paper about them shouldn’t be too difficult. Here are some nice topics related to public structures:

Top Ideas Related to Urban Planning

Interested in talking about urban planning? No problem, we can help. Take a look at our list of top ideas related to urban planning:

Architecture Thesis Topics

In case you’ve ran out of ideas for a topic, we have some of the best architecture thesis topics on the Internet. Check out these original ideas:

Complex Architectural Topics for Research

We know some students want to try something a bit more difficult to impress their professor. Here are some pretty complex architectural topics for research:

Great Architecture Thesis Ideas

If you are preparing to start working on your thesis, you will be thrilled to learn that we have a list of great architecture thesis ideas for you:

Interesting Topics Related to Architecture

This is where our writers and editors selected the most interesting ideas. Check out our most interesting topics related to architecture:

Interior Design Topics

If you want your research paper to be about something in interior design, our experts have compiled a list of unique interior design topics for you:

Good Topics for High School Students

Our list wouldn’t be complete without a section of good topics for high school students. Check out these ideas and take your pick:

Awesome Ideas for College

Are you a college student looking for top notch topics for his next architecture research paper? Check out these great awesome ideas for college:

Thesis Topics Related to Cultural Facilities

If you want to write your next paper on something related to culture, we have some of the best thesis topics related to cultural facilities:

Controversial Architecture Topics

Of course, we encourage every student to write about controversial topics. In fact, we have some very interesting controversial architecture topics right here:

Need Some Excellent Writing Help?

Our trustworthy academic writers are ready to help high school, college and university students with their architecture essays and research papers right now. Getting high quality writing help online is now easier than ever. Our professionals and PhD-holding writers have been creating custom academic content that professors love for over 10 years, so we know what we’re doing.

Does this mean you can write my paper fast and cheap? Yes, we can! Writing a thesis architecture professors appreciate can be really difficult, we know. However, we want to assure you that we will help every student do a great job and get a top grade on his next essay or research paper. Get in touch with us today and get a nice discount on your first order!

human rights topics

An research paper examples on architecture is a prosaic composition of a small volume and free composition, expressing individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue and obviously not claiming a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.

Some signs of architecture research paper:

The goal of an research paper in architecture is to develop such skills as independent creative thinking and writing out your own thoughts.

Writing an research paper is extremely useful, because it allows the author to learn to clearly and correctly formulate thoughts, structure information, use basic concepts, highlight causal relationships, illustrate experience with relevant examples, and substantiate his conclusions.

Examples List on Architecture Research Paper

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Architecture Research Methods: Special Topics + Literature Review

Literature Review

Copyright ©2021 by  The Writing Lab  &  The OWL at Purdue  and  Purdue University . 

Writing a literature review.

A literature review is a document or section of a document that collects key sources on a topic and discusses those sources in conversation with each other (also called synthesis). The lit review is an important genre in many disciplines, not just literature (i.e., the study of works of literature such as novels and plays). When we say “literature review” or refer to “the literature,” we are talking about the research (scholarship) in a given field. You will often see the terms “the research,” “the scholarship,” and “the literature” used mostly interchangeably.

WHERE, WHEN, AND WHY WOULD I WRITE A LIT REVIEW?

There are a number of different situations where you might write a literature review, each with slightly different expectations; different disciplines, too, have field-specific expectations for what a literature review is and does. For instance, in the humanities, authors might include more overt argumentation and interpretation of source material in their literature reviews, whereas in the sciences, authors are more likely to report study designs and results in their literature reviews; these differences reflect these disciplines’ purposes and conventions in scholarship. You should always look at examples from your own discipline and talk to professors or mentors in your field to be sure you understand your discipline’s conventions, for literature reviews as well as for any other genre.

A literature review can be a part of a research paper or scholarly article, usually falling after the introduction and before the research methods sections. In these cases, the lit review just needs to cover scholarship that is important to the issue you are writing about; sometimes it will also cover key sources that informed your research methodology.

Lit reviews can also be standalone pieces, either as assignments in a class or as publications. In a class, a lit review may be assigned to help students familiarize themselves with a topic and with scholarship in their field, get an idea of the other researchers working on the topic they’re interested in, find gaps in existing research in order to propose new projects, and/or develop a theoretical framework and methodology for later research. As a publication, a lit review usually is meant to help make other scholars’ lives easier by collecting and summarizing, synthesizing, and analyzing existing research on a topic. This can be especially helpful for students or scholars getting into a new research area, or for directing an entire community of scholars toward questions that have not yet been answered.

WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF A LIT REVIEW?

Most lit reviews use a basic introduction-body-conclusion structure; if your lit review is part of a larger paper, the introduction and conclusion pieces may be just a few sentences while you focus most of your attention on the body. If your lit review is a standalone piece, the introduction and conclusion take up more space and give you a place to discuss your goals, research methods, and conclusions separately from where you discuss the literature itself.

Introduction :

Conclusion :

HOW SHOULD I ORGANIZE MY LIT REVIEW?

Lit reviews can take many different organizational patterns depending on what you are trying to accomplish with the review. Here are some examples:

WHAT ARE SOME STRATEGIES OR TIPS I CAN USE WHILE WRITING MY LIT REVIEW?

Any lit review is only as good as the research it discusses; make sure your sources are well-chosen and your research is thorough. Don’t be afraid to do more research if you discover a new thread as you’re writing. More info on the research process is available  in our "Conducting Research" resources .

As you’re doing your research, create an annotated bibliography ( see our page on the this type of document ). Much of the information used in an annotated bibliography can be used also in a literature review, so you’ll be not only partially drafting your lit review as you research, but also developing your sense of the larger conversation going on among scholars, professionals, and any other stakeholders in your topic.

Usually you will need to synthesize research rather than just summarizing it. This means drawing connections between sources to create a picture of the scholarly conversation on a topic over time. Many student writers struggle to synthesize because they feel they don’t have anything to add to the scholars they are citing; here are some strategies to help you:

The most interesting literature reviews are often written as arguments (again, as mentioned at the beginning of the page, this is discipline-specific and doesn’t work for all situations). Often, the literature review is where you can establish your research as filling a particular gap or as relevant in a particular way. You have some chance to do this in your introduction in an article, but the literature review section gives a more extended opportunity to establish the conversation in the way you would like your readers to see it. You can choose the intellectual lineage you would like to be part of and whose definitions matter most to your thinking (mostly humanities-specific, but this goes for sciences as well). In addressing these points, you argue for your place in the conversation, which tends to make the lit review more compelling than a simple reporting of other sources.

Getting Started on your Literature Review

Recommended steps for a literature review (from [Kimmons & West, 2018](https://edtechbooks.org/rapidwriting/literature_reviews))

Recommended steps for a literature review (from  Kimmons & West, 2018 )

Information

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Architecture Research Guide

Citation Guides

Annotated bibliography, crafting your search, start with what you know, research tips, writing resources.

Many article databases and our library catalog will format citations for you. Use these automatic citations to save time, but check to make sure they are complete and accurate. Here are some sites with useful information on MLA and APA Citation Styles.

*Citations  help you find information and images again - check out the UNC Charlotte citation guide  HERE .

To write an annotation, you will comment, in paragraph form, on the following elements:

Content —What's the book about? Is it relevant to your research?

Purpose -—What's it for? Why was this book written?

Methods used to collect data —Where did the information come from?

Usefulness —What does it do for your research?

Reliability —Is the information accurate?

Authority —Is it written by someone who has the expertise to author the information?

Currency —Is it new? Is it up-to-date for the topic?

Scope/Coverage/Limitations —What does it cover? What does the author state that he or she will cover? What doesn't the book/article provide that would be helpful?

Arrangement —How is the book organized? Are there any special "added-value" features?

Ease of use —Can a "real person" use this book? What reading level is the book?

Sample annotation:

List, Carla J. Information Research. Dubuque, la.: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., 2002.

In this book, Carla List, an award-winning teacher and librarian, defines and describes information and provides step-by-step instruction on doing research. In seven chapters, she covers the organization of information, information technology, and the presentation, analysis, evaluation, and citation of information. A bibliography, glossary, and index are included. This book is aimed at the college-level student and is useful to the inexperienced researcher.

Example from: Burkhardt, Joanna M., Mary C. MacDonald, and Andrée J. Rathemacher. Teaching Information Literacy: 35 Practical, Standards-based Exercises for College Students . Chicago: American Library Association, 2003, pp. 57-58 (Exercise 25).

Annotated Bibliography Analogy like Building a House

Adapted from  Envisioning the Framework: A Graphic Guide to Information Literacy , edited by Jannette L. Finch, Association of College & Research Libraries, 2021.  ProQuest Ebook Central , https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uncc-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6726366.

architecture research paper example

Building Name

Architect(s)

For biographical information about an architect or design firm , try following example subject headings; 

​ * Also use variations of spellings and languages.

Architectural Research: The Latest Architecture and News

The loeb fellowship at harvard gsd announces the selection for the class of 2025.

The Loeb Fellowship at Harvard GSD Announces the Selection for the Class of 2025 - Featured Image

The Harvard Graduate School of Design (Harvard GSD) has announced the Class of 2025 Loeb Fellows. Ten practitioners and activists from around the world have been selected to join the Loeb Fellowship program to expand their careers and advance their programs and initiatives focused on equity, resilience, and collective action.

The ten selected practitioners are mid-career professionals coming from diverse backgrounds. Each one has been recognized for initiating practices that are transforming public spaces and urban infrastructures, addressing public health concerns and environmental injustices, as well as housing needs and efforts to preserve the cultural, natural, and architectural heritage of diverse regions from all continents.

The Loeb Fellowship at Harvard GSD Announces the Selection for the Class of 2025 - 1 的图像 4

Jingru (Cyan) Cheng Wins 2023 Wheelwright Prize for her Study on the Impact of Sand on the Environment and Communities

Jingru (Cyan) Cheng Wins 2023 Wheelwright Prize for her Study on the Impact of Sand on the Environment and Communities - Featured Image

Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD) has announced Jingru (Cyan) Cheng as the recipient of the 2023 Wheelwright Prize , a study grant created to support globally-minded research and investigative approaches to contemporary architecture. The winning research project, titled “Tracing Sand: Phantom Territories, Bodies Adrift,” delves into the multifaceted impacts of sand mining and reclamation, understood from cultural, economic, and ecological perspectives. The unassuming material has become an indispensable element for our built environment and human communities, serving as a vital component in the production of glass, concrete, asphalt roads, and artificial land. Yet the process of dredging underwater systems and sand mining leads to the disruption of habitats in a process that simultaneously shapes one habitat while devastating another.

Jingru (Cyan) Cheng Wins 2023 Wheelwright Prize for her Study on the Impact of Sand on the Environment and Communities - Image 1 of 4

Design for Inclusivity at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023

Design for Inclusivity at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 - Featured Image

The UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 is an invitation for architects from around the world to meet in Copenhagen July 2 – 6 to explore and communicate how architecture influences all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For more than two years, the Science Track and its international Scientific Committee have been analyzing the various ways in which architecture responds to the SDGs. The work has resulted in the formulation of six science panels: design for Climate Adaptation , design for Rethinking Resources , design for Resilient Communities , design for Health , design for Inclusivity , and design for Partnerships for Change. An international call for papers was sent out in 2022 and 296 of more than 750 submissions from 77 countries have been invited to present at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 in Copenhagen. ArchDaily is collaborating with the UIA to share articles pertaining to the six themes to prepare for the opening of the Congress.

In this fifth feature, we met with co-chairs of design for Inclusivity architect Magda Mostafa , Professor of Design, Department of Architecture , the American University in Cairo and architect Ruth Baumeister , Associate Professor of Theory and History, Aarhus School of Architecture.

Design for Inclusivity at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 - Image 1 of 4

Design for Health at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023

Design for Health at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023  - Featured Image

In this fourth feature, we met with co-chairs of design for Health architect Arif Hasan , former Visiting Professor NED University Karachi and member of UNs Advisory Group on Forced Evictions, and architect Christian Benimana , Senior Principal and Co-Executive Director at MASS Design Group

Design for Health at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023  - Image 1 of 4

Design for Resilient Communities at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023

Design for Resilient Communities at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 - Featured Image

In this third feature, we met with co-chairs of Design for Resilient Communities Anna Rubbo , Senior Researcher, Center for Sustainable Urban Development (CSUD), The Climate School, Columbia University, and Juan Du , Professor and Dean of the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture , Landscape and Design, University of Toronto.

Design for Resilient Communities at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 - Image 1 of 4

Rethinking Resources at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023

Rethinking Resources at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 - Featured Image

The UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 is an invitation for architects from around the world to meet in Copenhagen July 2 – 6 to explore and communicate how architecture influences all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For more than two years, the Science Track and its international Scientific Committee have been analyzing the various ways in which architecture responds to the SDGs. The work has resulted in the formulation of six science panels: design for Climate Adaptation , design for Rethinking Resources , design for Resilient Communities , design for Health , design for Inclusivity , and design for Partnerships for Change. An international call for papers was sent out in 2022 and 296 of more than 750 submissions have been invited to present at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 in Copenhagen. ArchDaily is collaborating with the UIA to share articles pertaining to the six themes to prepare for the opening of the Congress.

In this first feature, we met with the Head of the Scientific Committee Mette Ramsgaard Thomsen , Professor and Head of the CITA (Centre for IT and Architecture), Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture , Design and Conservation who is also co-chairing the panel design for Rethinking Resources with Carlo Ratti, Professor and Director of the Senseable Lab, MIT, Founding Partner of CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati .

Rethinking Resources at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 - Image 1 of 4

The UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 Copenhagen Science Track Announces the 6 Themes of Its Agenda

The UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 Copenhagen Science Track Announces the 6 Themes of Its Agenda - Featured Image

The UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 is an invitation for architects from all around the world to meet in Copenhagen to explore and communicate how architecture influences all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Science Track of the UIA World Congress has been tasked with the development of the agenda, Sustainable Futures – Leave No One Behind . For more than two years, its international Scientific Committee has been analyzing the various ways in which architecture responds to the SDGs. The work has resulted in the formulation of six themes: climate adaptation, rethinking resources, resilient communities, health, inclusivity, and partnerships for change. ArchDaily is collaborating with UIA to share articles pertaining to the six themes to prepare for the opening of the Congress on July 2, 2023.

The UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 Copenhagen Science Track Announces the 6 Themes of Its Agenda - Image 1 of 4

“Everyone Belongs to Everyone Else”: The Italian Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Biennale is Curated by Fosbury Architecture

“Everyone Belongs to Everyone Else”: The Italian Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Biennale is Curated by Fosbury Architecture - Featured Image

The project for the Italian Pavilion at the 18 th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia will be curated by Fosbury Architecture , a collective composed of Giacomo Ardesio, Alessandro Bonizzoni, Nicola Campri, Veronica Caprino, and Claudia Mainardi. Fosbury Architecture’s vision for the exhibition is based on a research practice that sees design as the result of collective and collaborative work. From January to April, leading up to the opening of the Biennale, nine site-specific interventions titled “ Spaziale presenta ” are set out to activate different locations across Italy.

“Everyone Belongs to Everyone Else”: The Italian Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Biennale is Curated by Fosbury Architecture - Image 1 of 4

"With Intention to Build", Moshe Safdie’s Exhibition of Unbuilt Projects Opens in Boston, USA

"With Intention to Build", Moshe Safdie’s Exhibition of Unbuilt Projects Opens in Boston, USA - Featured Image

From October 2022 through January 2, 2023, The Boston Architectural College (BAC) and Safdie Architects will display the most groundbreaking unbuilt projects by Moshe Safdie . With Intention to Build showcases the architect's creative process throughout the 55 years of his career, including models, drawings, and various texts and photographs. The exhibition provides context and tells the story behind these radical unrealized designs that have influenced projects such as Habitat 67 in Montreal, Canada , and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

"With Intention to Build", Moshe Safdie’s Exhibition of Unbuilt Projects Opens in Boston, USA - Image 1 of 4

The 3rd Lilly Reich Grant for Equality in Architecture is Awarded to a Research Project Celebrating Anna Bofill Levi

The 3rd Lilly Reich Grant for Equality in Architecture is Awarded to a Research Project Celebrating Anna Bofill Levi - Featured Image

Fundació Mies van der Rohe has announced that a research project focused on Anna Bofill Levi has been awarded the third Lilly Reich Grant for Equality in Architecture . The project, titled “ La arquitectura como contracanto: 1977-1996 ”, was initiated by architects Ma Elia Gutiérrez Mozo , José Parra Martínez , Ana Gilsanz Díaz , and Joaquín Arnau Amo . The research contextualizes the architectural works of pianist, architect, and composer Anna Bofill Levi and brings into focus the result of her multidisciplinary approach, intertwining practices and research in design, architecture and music.

The 3rd Lilly Reich Grant for Equality in Architecture is Awarded to a Research Project Celebrating Anna Bofill Levi - Image 1 of 4

A City of Rooms: An Analysis of Shared Housing and Domestic Living

A City of Rooms: An Analysis of Shared Housing and Domestic Living - Featured Image

"A city of rooms" is a research work by architect Paula Olea Fonti that focuses on the study of shared housing, which is one of the most common ways for young students and professionals to live in the city. A popular and ordinary house, if you will. One that many architects would distinguish for its low architectural value.

The Architect-Researcher: Exploring New Possibilities for the Production of Architecture

The Architect-Researcher: Exploring New Possibilities for the Production of Architecture - Featured Image

While research seems intrinsic to the design process, architectural research is a professional path in itself, whose purpose is to highlight scientific evidence and explore alternatives outside of pre-established norms or empirical considerations. Its purpose is to create a framework of knowledge that can inform the design to reach objectively better outcomes. The following discusses the role and state of research in architecture, some prominent areas of inquiry, and the architects or institutions that dedicate their work to these subjects.

The Architect-Researcher: Exploring New Possibilities for the Production of Architecture - Image 1 of 4

RIBA Announces Winners of 2021 President’s Medal and Awards for Research

RIBA Announces Winners of 2021 President’s Medal and Awards for Research - Featured Image

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the winners of the 2021 President's Medal and Awards for Research , highlighting the best research concerning architecture and the built environment. The President's Medal was awarded to John Lin and Sony Devabhaktuni from the University of Hong Kong for their research project As Found Houses , which explores vernacular practices in rural China . Two more awards were granted to the development of an ethics guide for architectural practitioners and a study of thin-tile vaulting in Cuba.

RIBA Announces Winners of 2021 President’s Medal and Awards for Research - Image 1 of 4

Between Arches, Architecture of Connection: An Alternative View of Barcelona

Between Arches, Architecture of Connection: An Alternative View of Barcelona - Featured Image

The gaze is a tool that the architect uses constantly but does not fully value. It is an instrument that, in addition to allowing us to know and recognize our reality and the phenomena that arise from it, can work as a method of analysis. " Entrearcos (Between-arches): architecture of connection " is a research project developed by the architect Daniela Silva Landeros that studies, in the specific case of the Ciutat Vella neighbourhood of the city of Barcelona , the issue of arches in our cities. And Silva Landeros does so from alternative points of view that call into question the way we are used to looking.

Systematica Releases First Assessment on Milan Public Realm, Green Areas and Gathering Places

Systematica Releases First Assessment on Milan Public Realm, Green Areas and Gathering Places - Featured Image

Systematica has just released a case study on access to green areas and the public realm in the city of Milan . Focusing on the availability of these gathering spaces for residents, the research, particularly relevant in this time of the pandemic, also highlights open and not crowded public spaces, convenient for a safe social life.

2020 AIANY | Center for Architecture Arnold W. Brunner Grant for Mid-Career Architects

2020 AIANY | Center for Architecture Arnold W. Brunner Grant for Mid-Career Architects  - Featured Image

CALL FOR ENTRIES Arnold W. Brunner Grant $15,000 Deadline: Monday, February 3rd, 2020 5 pm (EST)

The Center for Architecture is now accepting applications for the 2020 Arnold W. Brunner Grant. This grant is awarded to mid-career architects for advanced study in any area of architectural investigation that will contribute to the knowledge, teaching, or practice of the art and science of architecture. The proposed investigation is to result in a publicly available written work, design project, research paper, or other form of presentation to be offered at the Center for Architecture. Previous topics of research have ranged from the impact of American

AD Interviews: Kim Nielsen of 3XN

During the World Architecture Festival 2018, which will be held this year again in Amsterdam , we had the chance to sit down with Kim Nielsen, one of the founders of Denmark-based firm 3XN .

How To Promote Lifelong Learning, Productivity, And Meaningfulness In Architecture

How To Promote Lifelong Learning, Productivity, And Meaningfulness In Architecture - Featured Image

With the aim of generating an architecture that incubates the wellbeing, self-realization, and fulfillment of its inhabitants to become the best version of themselves, CEBRA has launched an ambitious Research and Development Program (R&D) called WISE (Work, Innovation, Space and Education). As explained by its creators, the purpose of WISE is "to bridge the ongoing and rapid change in the sectors of workspace and education to inform the design of buildings that stimulate learning and innovation. We are connecting ideas of the foremost thinkers of education and entrepreneurship, research and studies in sensory stimuli, cognitive psychology, and behaviorism with architecture." We spoke with Carsten Primdahl , founding partner of CEBRA, and Klaudio Muca , R&D Architect at CEBRA, to better understand the approach and expected results of the program.

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  1. Architecture Research Paper Example

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  2. How to Write a Research Paper on Architecture

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  3. Architecture and Environment Paper Free Essay Example

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  4. (PDF) Architecture and design research: Reflections in relation to the

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  5. sebis TU München : Paper on Enterprise Architecture Documentation

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  3. Critically Analyzing a Research Paper

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  5. Software architecture research topic idea for software engineering students

  6. Aspects of the School Environment

COMMENTS

  1. Architecture Research Paper

    View sample architecture research paper. Browse research paper examples for more inspiration. If you need a thorough research paper written according to all the academic standards, you can always turn to our experienced writers for help. This is how your paper can get an A! Feel free to contact our writing service for professional assistance.

  2. Architecture Research Papers

    Shaping the City of Tomorrow in East Asia: Concepts, Schemes and Ideas for Urban Development from 1960s to 2010, and Beyond. The paper attempts to outline the urban visions and architectural ideas and vocabulary behind the formation of the large urban conglomeration in Japan, South Korea and China, and how the seeds of Western planning theories ...

  3. Architectural Research for Sustainable Environmental Design

    Simos Yannas Architectural Research for Sustainable Environmental Design ENHSA Conference October 2013. 2. their environmental expectations). This is the environmental inheritance of the ...

  4. How to Write a Research Paper on Architecture

    As you start to have more insights into the topic, you can formulate more precise questions. Take notes on your own thoughts on the topic and the questions is raises in your mind. 2. Pick an example that seems to represent a larger group or an idea and analyze it in terms of your question. Refine both as you proceed.

  5. Architectural Dissertation Report

    CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the research titled, Contemplative Spaces in Built Environment is a bonafide work by Aayushi Rajani of Aayojan School of Architecture, Jaipur. This research ...

  6. 20 Types of Architecture thesis topics

    While choosing an architectural thesis topic, it is best to pick something that aligns with your passion and interest as well as one that is feasible. Out of the large range of options, here are 20 architectural thesis topics. 1. Slum Redevelopment (Urban architecture) Slums are one of the rising problems in cities where overcrowding is pertinent.

  7. (PDF) Architectural design research: Drivers of practice

    In a prominent example, written as a position paper for the RIBA Research Committee, Till ( 2005 ) divides the stages of architectural research into ' architectural processes ...

  8. Successful thesis proposals in architecture and urban planning

    1.2 Research methodology. Figure 1 summarizes the process pursued to develop the "Successful TP Conception". From 2000 to 2005, the conception was proposed and included in an unpublished textbook (Abdellatif and Abdellatif, 2005).From 2005 to 2020, the conception has been applied on several batches of graduate students in the College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman bin ...

  9. Architectural Research Paradigms: an overview and a research example

    The paper will examine synchRG's response to current architectural research challenges and illustrate its unique structure as a possible model to be replicated. ... A Research Example - architecture engaging engineering In the following a summary of the research process of the author's study Sustainability - Energy Efficiency ...

  10. Most Downloaded Frontiers of Architectural Research Articles

    Using passive cooling strategies to improve thermal performance and reduce energy consumption of residential buildings in U.A.E. buildings. June 2014. Hanan M. Taleb. Passive design responds to local climate and site conditions in order to maximise the comfort and health of building users while minimising energy use.

  11. (PDF) Frameworks & Approaches to Architectural Research

    Frameworks & Approaches to Architectural Research. November 2022. November 2022. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.12373.09443. Conference: Faculty Development Program on EMERGING PARADIGMS IN ARCHITECTURAL ...

  12. Articles

    Here is a list of important architecture journals you might be interested in browsing. These are just a few examples. Do not discount a journal because it's not on the list. Occasionally you might find an article that may be considered scholarly even though the journal is not considered scholarly. Ask your professor or GSI when in doubt.

  13. The Practice of Architectural Research: How to start

    Architectural Research_©Abbott Andrew. There was a rise in the independence of architectural theory as a discipline in the 1960s, developing the theory of architectural practice. This creates a self-referential and independent area in architecture which is separate from the world of production and the sphere of action.

  14. Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research

    Archnet-IJAR is an interdisciplinary scholarly journal of architecture, urban design and planning, and built environment studies. ... Research paper. Reports on any type of research undertaken by the author(s), including: ... for example whether contact and affiliation details are up to date and your name is spelled correctly, and then returned ...

  15. FIU Libraries: Architecture Research Methods: Special Topics

    Architecture Research Methods: Special Topics + Literature Review. Find architecture research resources, citation, and search strategy assistance. Welcome; ... Includes notes to explain the details. From APA Style. Use this sample paper as a guide for headings, in-text citations, references, & more. The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) APA Guide.

  16. How to Write a Research Paper on Architecture: Step-by-Step Guide

    You should then narrow down all the research topics you have chosen and focus on one topic. Consolidate your information sources. With your research paper topic ready, your next step is to gather relevant information for writing your discussion points. For example, suppose your research topic is on green architecture, AI in architecture, or ...

  17. 115 Comprehensive Architecture Research Topics To Pick From

    Here are some nice topics related to public structures: An in-depth look at the design of the Lincoln Memorial. Design the plan of a new bank in your neighborhood. Designing a new skyscraper in your city. An in-depth look at the design of the Empire State Building.

  18. Free Architecture Research Paper Samples and Examples List

    In our online database you can find free Architecture Research Paper work for every taste: thesis, essays, dissertations, assignments, research and term papers etc. - easy and free. Choose any document below and bravely use it as an example to make your own work perfect! Samples List. An research paper examples on architecture is a prosaic ...

  19. Full article: Architectural design research: Drivers of practice

    Output-driven research in architecture. Archer (Citation 1995) states that research is 'a systematic inquiry whose goal is communicable knowledge', which has become a widely accepted definition of research (Fraser Citation 2013).Architects produce knowledge through design ideas and practice (Fraser Citation 2013), with architectural design research increasingly expected to form part of the ...

  20. Chapter 1

    A separate 2018 study conducted by Research and Tech Lab (RTL), a digital research and consulting firm, found that 68% of Filipinos still prefer traditional shopping. Despite the allure of 24/7 access and convenience, shoppers still prefer inspecting the products before they check out.

  21. FIU Libraries: Architecture Research Methods: Special Topics

    Find architecture research resources, citation, and search strategy assistance. ... A literature review can be a part of a research paper or scholarly article, usually falling after the introduction and before the research methods sections. In these cases, the lit review just needs to cover scholarship that is important to the issue you are ...

  22. Writing & Citing

    Purdue OWL: MLA: Online Writing Lab's examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page. Purdue OWL: APA: Online Writing Lab resources to help you use the American Psychological Association (APA) citation and format style.

  23. Architectural Research

    January 14, 2020. Havana University Staircase by Purdy & Henderson circa 1927 from Beatriz del Cueto's Brunner research. CALL FOR ENTRIES Arnold W. Brunner Grant $15,000 Deadline: Monday, February ...

  24. Full article: Old and New Vallila. The early years of affordable

    Secular architecture then developed from Art Nouveau into Functionalism through s... The paper highlights two examples of Finnish urban construction, town planning and affordable housing in 1900-1930. ... Etu-Töölö and Uusi Vallila in Helsinki as examples) her research interests focused on Finnish twentieth century town planning and social ...