Architectural & Design Science

Research Areas | Our Staff | Our Students

Architecture & Design Science is the study of the physical aspects of architecture and design. The area encompasses studies in the physical aspects of lighting, daylighting, acoustics, thermal performance, wind effects, noise, structures and construction. It can also include studies in how people react to environments. There are a number of leading researchers in Architectural Science within the Faculty who provide expert supervision of research leading to higher degrees. It is possible to undertake some advanced coursework with your research studies.

For information about applying for a research degrees in Architectural & Design Science, please contact the discipline head or any member of the discipline group.

• Lead by Professor Kenny (Conservatorium) involving Michael Haliwell and Dr Densil Cabrera - Kenny D Enhancing quality in western classical singing and pedagogy - 4 years, $349,999.
• Densil Cabrera - Early career researcher grant for Control of Perceived Room Size in Virtual Acoustic Environments $22,000
• F. Fricke – Activated ventilator, Roads and Traffic Authority (1996-1998)
• F. Fricke & D. Gunaratnam – A generalised neural network approach for encoding building design and evaluation knowledge, ARC Small Grant (1999).
• W. Julian - Daylighting buildings in the 21st century, Technology Diffusion Program - Department of Industry, Science and Resources (2000)

Chris Field
Acoustics is a specialist discipline in architecture and engineering. Consultancies are small, but we are always looking out for talented people from any architectural or engineering background. There are many streams of acoustic work including environmental noise control, architectural acoustics, building acoustics, railway noise and vibration, just to name a few. The diversity of projects is huge, so we employ a diverse range of people! My study in the Faculty of Architecture's acoustics and audio research group was fantastic and I would recommend it to everyone. I had the opportunity to pursue areas of research I was interested in, not necessary related to the topic of my PhD. The technical staff were first class (Ken Stewart, Phil Granger and Rick Moss) and always went out of their way to help me. I am very grateful to have worked with Associate Professor Fergus Fricke, both as a research leader in the field of acoustics and also as a great person.

My study in acoustics prepared me well, and gave me a head start, for my current job. I have continued to publish conference and journal papers regularly after leaving university. I owe this discipline and skill to my time spent studying acoustics.

Dr Chris Field, won the ABC’s Inventor of the Year Award on the “New Inventors” program with his Silenceair, an invention which allows fresh air into a building while leaving 85 per cent of the noise outside. Dr Field originally developed the idea while studying for his PhD in Acoustics (supervisor, Honorary Associate Professor Fergus Fricke)

Dr Chris Field with his supervisor, Honorary Associate Professor Fergus Fricke. Dr Chris Field, won the ABC's Inventor of the Year Award on the "New Inventors" program with his Silenceair, an invention which allows fresh air into a building while leaving 85 per cent of the noise outside. Dr Field originally developed the idea while studying for his PhD in Acoustics.