Design Research
Design Research encompasses the methods and outputs of investigations that contribute to new knowledge through the creation of design projects in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design.

The home of Design Research at the University of Adelaide is the Design Research Collective (DRC).
We aim to develop a community of designers whose research not only raises the quality of debate around the built environment but also engages in its production. Our activities include support for PhD by Design candidates, including the testing and dissemination of their work through the biannual DRC Colloquium.
Our research
DRC researchers are working on a range of design-focus research projects that include:
- Epistemological processes of spatial thinking in practice.
- Design research pedagogy and methods.
- Designing for adaptive reuse.
Learn more about our research experts
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Lead researchers in this area are currently focused on
- Landscapes of agricultural tourism (Dr Jo Russell-Clarke)
- Rethinking post-industrial sites (Dr Tanya Court)
- Landscapes as products of art, politics, and policy (Dr Tanya Court)
- Emotive cognition and analytic synthesis in design (Dr Urs Bette)
- Inner city densification and sustainable models of growth (Dr Jo Russell-Clarke & Dr Urs Bette)
- Rural / shrinking towns (Dr Tanya Court & A/Prof Julian Worrall)
- Art and festivals as catalysts for urban development (A/Prof Julian Worrall)
- Site-related production of architectural character and space (Dr Urs Bette)
- 'Form as space' and 'form as meaning' (Dr Urs Bette)
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Our research units and groups working in this area
- The Design Research Collective (DRC)
Interested in undertaking a postgraduate research degree with us?
The School of Architecture and Built Environment offers exciting opportunities for researchers at both the masters and doctorate levels. If you are interested in humanism and sustainability, consider furthering your research career with us.