Pathways to Net-zero

Exploring the opportunities for Biomaterials through Architectural Design and Construction Methods, Heritage Conservation, and Regenerative Practice.

RKE

This Research & Knowledge Exchange Doctoral Project brief summarises our priority areas of research interest under the heading of: Pathways to Net-zero: Exploring the opportunities for Biomaterials through Architectural Design and Construction Methods, Heritage Conservation, and Regenerative Practice

We welcome all research degree applications aligned with and in response to this brief.

The AD[A]PT (Architectural Design and Humanities Promoting Transformation) Consortium offers this PhD Studentship, funded through the inaugural Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Doctoral Training Focal Awards.

Lead photo by Tanya Griffiths.

    Project brief details

    This call for doctoral research proposals asks how biomaterials can address policy gaps, skills deficits, supply chain challenges, technical barriers and how they can contribute to healthy, inclusive, and biodiverse environments. It invites interdisciplinary approaches that can provide insight into innovation through design and construction, heritage conservation or regenerative practice and their potential intersections. 

    Research can be explored through three lenses: 

    • Architectural Design and Construction Methods: Identify current barriers to innovation for example through design, policy, certification and technical performance, construction skills and resource supply chains. Develop strategies or frameworks for implementing biomaterial methods as scalable solutions for new build and in adaptive reuse. 
    • Heritage Conservation: Explore how biomaterials can sustain our built heritage, maintain authenticity, and revive traditional conservation skills and crafts. 
    • Regenerative Practice: Investigate how innovation in biomaterials in the built environment can contribute to net-zero construction, circularity, systems thinking, and promote biodiversity and ecological health in the built environment. 

    Strategic alignment

    Projects deriving from this brief are expected to sit within the Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy and the following department.

    Department School of Architecture, Design & Interiors

    All successful research degree project proposals must emphasise a clear alignment between the project idea and our Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy. 

    Project brief lead

    Drummond Masterton

    Project brief lead: Drummond Masterton

    Drummond trained as a 3D designer, at Grays School of Art, Aberdeen and at postgraduate level at the Royal College of Art in London. His digitally designed and manufactured craft pieces have been selected for a number of major European and UK exhibitions, including Languages, 2006; Jerwood Contemporary Makers, 2008; Matter1, Dovecott, 2010; Labcraft, Crafts Council, 2010-12, Collect, Saatchi Gallery, London 2009-13. His work is represented by the Wills Lane Gallery in St Ives. He also has several key pieces of work in national collections, including the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh, Crafts Council, London, Shipley Museum, Tyne and Wear, Ironbridge Gorge Museum, Shropshire.

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    How to apply

    Project brief & project proposal enquiries

    To discuss this project brief, ideas or project proposal responding to this brief, please contact: Drummond Masterton.

    E: drummond.masterton@falmouth.ac.uk

    Application enquiries

    To apply to this PhD Scholarship, please review the guidance and application forms on the AD[A]PT website. If you have any queries about applying to this project brief, please contact us:

    E: pgr@falmouth.ac.uk