Design-Led Building Performance for Primary Schools (Advert Reference: SF18-2/ABE/ALWAN)

Green building design has been a main driver for many new commercial projects in recent years and schools have been no exception, many requiring green benchmarking certification such as LEED or BREEAM. However, the drive for early stage environmental and energy consideration has not always translated to better performing school buildings. In addition, most projects do not consider design for well-being or user interaction within the internal environment.

How can school design be improved to deliver a better learning experience? Children’s learning experiences are different to adults’ in terms of light, acoustics and other visual perceptions which aid the learning activities. For example, studies have demonstrated that a good daylight factor rather than artificial lighting, and improved acoustic design can help the learning experience. What important aspects are therefore missing from the design process that could help to deliver better learning environments for young people?

The PhD work will focus on existing buildings and retrofitting potential of schools, in terms of improvement of school building performance and user satisfaction. Schools could be based in the UK, Europe or in an international context, and could cover some or all aspects from design and human interaction to BIM and digital specifications.

Please note eligibility requirement:

* Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]) in architecture, engineering, construction, computing or technology discipline; or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
* Appropriate IELTS score, if required.

This project is well suited to motivated and hard-working candidates with a keen interest in social housing, sustainability, building performance, BIM. The applicant should have excellent communication skills including proven ability to write in English.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. SF18-2/ABE/ALWAN) will not be considered.

Start Date: 1 March 2019 or 1 June 2019 or 1 October 2019

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender quality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers.