Research Centres

Sydney University is the top university in the country in terms of research excellence according to international research rankings announced at the National Press Club. more...

The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning houses these major research centres:

AHURI Sydney Housing and Urban Research Centre
AHURI is a national organisation that conducts and disseminates research on current housing and urban issues. It has research facilities in all States and Territories. AHURI will spend over $14 million on research and related activities over the four years from January 2000. To date, over $3 million has been committed to 48 separate research projects on contemporary housing issues.

CRC for Construction Innovation

Ian Buchan Fell Housing Research Centre
The Ian Buchan Fell Housing Research Centre was established in the University of Sydney in 1964. It is funded by the estate of the late Ian Buchan Fell who graduated in Architecture at Sydney University in 1929 and died in 1961. The Centre was generally, but not exclusively, established for the purpose of research into aspects of social housing. The Centre has conducted a variety of projects, organised seminars and conferences and produced publications which include a biennial directory of Australian housing research, books, monographs and articles. It maintains a housing research database and a small specialist library and promotes a wide range of housing research.
Director: Mr. Colin James AM

Key Centre of Design Computing and Cognition
The Key Centre of Design Computing is a collection of people within the Faculty whose main interests lie in the general area of design computing and design cognition. The vision of the Key Centre is to improve the quality of design through the application of the latest developments in computing. This vision is achieved through a symbiotic relationship between the education and research programs supported by the Key Centre. The Key Centre is internationally known for advances in the following areas:
Artificial Intelligence in Design, Digital Media in Design, Design Cognition, Computer-Support for Collaborative Design
Directors: Professor John Gero & Mary Lou Maher

Planning Research Centre
The Planning Research Centre's main purpose is to further fundamental research into physical planning and development. It also sponsors seminars in specialised fields, undertakes research and consultancy projects, runs professional development courses, and promotes the publication of research material. It has an active membership comprised of members of government and industry.
Director: Professor Edward Blakely

In addition to the three major research centres, there are a number of other groups of academic staff, post-docs, research staff and students working on architectural history and theory, cognition models of design, environment and behaviour, environmental science, environmental sustainability, heritage conservation and urban design.

Further enquiries
For more information concerning research degrees,
contact any of the above lead researchers
or the Associate Dean (Research)
Dr Densil Cabrera
Phone: +61 2 9351 5267
Fax: +61 2 9351 5665