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Teaching Architecture: Insights from TU Delft – Research on Education Innovation in Architecture & the Built Environment
Full text linkThis book marks the commencement of a series of projects and initiatives initiated by the Research-on-Education-Innovation programme at the Faculty of Architecture & the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, at the conclusion of the 2010s. These initiatives, including the call for contributions to this volume, sought to address pertinent questions that would engage the interests of our colleagues.
The primary objectives of these inquiries were to foster innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches in architecture and built environment education. We sought to bridge the gap between theory and practice, encouraging students to engage with both historical contexts and contemporary challenges. Additionally, we explored the potential of educational settings as laboratories for spatial and societal transformation.
Furthermore, we examined the development of technical skills and academic skills, such as critical thinking and reflection, among design students. Finally, we addressed the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the need for flexible and collaborative learning frameworks and learning environments.
Many colleagues responded positively to the call for contributions. After several rounds of review and feedback by the book editors, the submitted papers have been organized into two thematic parts of this volume.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all contributing authors for their support and patience, and to the 4TU Centre for Engineering Education, which warmly supports our Faculty’s Research-on-Education-Innovation programme and this book project
Along the Waterfront: Cities in Europe facing Climate Change
Full text linkIn the face of escalating climate challenges, "SOS Climate Waterfront" emerges as a compilation of strategies that bridges the gap between climate change challenges and urban waterfront planning. Through a collaborative effort supported by the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant, this book brings together thoughts and findings from experts across fields like architecture, urban planning, and environmental science.
The book explores innovative ways to make cities along waterfront more resilient against climate threats. It showcases projects and strategies that combine the old with the new, ensuring that cities can withstand future climate impacts while maintaining their cultural essence and boosting community life.
It aims to spark a transformation in how waterfront cities cope with climate change. As sea levels rise and flooding becomes more frequent, it\u27s crucial for urban planners, architects, and policymakers to rethink how cities can adapt. This book fills the crucial need for a modern guide that integrates cultural heritage with sustainable urban development, presenting a unified approach to climate adaptation.
"SOS Climate Waterfront" tackles the pressing issue of enhancing urban resilience along waterfronts. It guides readers through understanding the risks, opportunities, and innovative strategies necessary for developing sustainable cities that are ready for future climate conditions. This book is designed to be both practical and inspiring, offering a roadmap for integrating environmental care with urban development, ensuring cities not only survive but thrive in the face of climate challenges. It serves as a tool for those involved in city planning and community building, enriching their projects with forward-thinking approaches and sustainable practices
An Unproductive Project: Perspectives on Planning, Ecology, and Ethics
Full text linkThe familiar topic of production is the analytical and conceptual lens of this book. Yet, both the premise and outlook of all three chapters together hopefully determine a prismatic research perspective. Its points of view are quite expansive. Taken together, the three chapters can be read as different but parallel articulations of a shared problem: how to confront the compulsion to build that subtends architectural and planning disciplines. This issue is presented as transversal to design: it is tackled from different “scales.”
Chapter I posits the notion of unproduction as a theoretical and ethical necessity, drawing out a continuity between architecture, urbanism and territorial planning to highlight their common productivist logic.
Chapter II suggests unproductive activity as a source of spatial and political value in the urban public realm, focusing more on urban design and ecological urbanism.
Chapter III, in dialogue with Charlotte Malterre-Barthes, situates the moratorium as a practical, pedagogical, and political opening that insists on the feasibility—and the urgency—of stopping construction here and now. This chapter revolves around architecture, or rather around the legal tools that make architecture a matter of politics and therefore bring it closer to the field of planning.
While their focus is similar rather than identical, therefore, the three chapters of this book share a common demand, namely, the need nowadays, amid social and ecological injustices and violence, to produce less and thus build less. This stance, by no means, wishes to recall the functionalism or minimalism proper to “less is more” arguments. Instead, this book wishes to join calls, originating from many disciplinary fields, to discuss this collective urgency, and thus political tension.
Unproduction is the coordinate that stems from and describes this necessity and an unproductive activity is only one among many cautious answers that might be offered. In this sense, production is central to the pages that follow only insofar as it is the object of a critique which, necessarily, extends over to our current economic and political system—capitalism.
Agenda 3-30-300 Roadmap: Steps from Concept to Catalogue of Interventions in Belgrade
Full text linkThe Agenda 3-30-300 project, initiated and led by Placemaking Western Balkans (PWB) in collaboration with WWF Adria and the EU4You program, was developed to popularise and critically examine the significance of the 3-30-300 principle in the Balkans and Southeast Europe. Conceived as both a research and educational initiative, the project stands at the intersection of academic knowledge, professional practice, and civic engagement, aiming to translate a globally recognised principle into actionable local strategies.
The 3-30-300 principle, developed within the framework of the Dutch Nature-Based Solutions Institute under the leadership of Professor Cecil Konijnendijk, has gained increasing attention worldwide as a simple yet effective guideline for greening cities and improving public health. It requires every resident to have three trees visible from their window, 30% canopy cover in each neighbourhood, and a maximum distance of 300 m to the nearest green space. Multiple international studies have confirmed that access to greenery improves mental health, reduces stress, encourages physical activity, mitigates the urban heat island effect, and strengthens social cohesion. In the long term, investing in urban nature reduces public health and infrastructure costs.
In Belgrade, where grey infrastructure continues to expand at the expense of green spaces and access to quality greenery remains uneven, the adoption of the 3-30-300 principle represents a significant step towards sustainable urban development. By re-centring nature in the design and management of public spaces, the principle provides a regenerative approach to urban transformation, where shade, biodiversity, and accessibility are understood as essential infrastructure.
Within this broader mission, the Agenda 3-30-300 project has established itself as a platform for exchanges between students, academics, practitioners, and citizens. Its activities include international student workshops, expert interviews, and public exhibitions. Importantly, the International Student Workshop on the 3-30-300 Agenda was organised in connection with the International Academic Conference on Places and Technologies (PT25), providing a strong academic framework and fostering dialogue between emerging professionals and leading experts in the field.
The exhibition “Greening the Cities – The 3-30-300 Principle in Action”, hosted at the Impact Hub Belgrade, marked a significant milestone in the project. It showcased the work of international student teams who, through visual narratives, illustrated how three distinct Belgrade neighbourhoods could be transformed by applying this principle. Serving as a public translator of the project’s findings, the exhibition highlighted how small, incremental, and locally tailored interventions—tree rows, pocket parks, rain gardens, green roofs, and vertical greenery— could enhance everyday life and ecological functioning in urban areas.
By combining European perspectives, local expertise, and citizen participation, Agenda 3-30-300 positions Belgrade within the global movement for greener, healthier, and more equitable cities. The project demonstrates that a city where every child sees a tree from their window, every park is within walking distance, and every neighbourhood enjoys shade and greenery is prepared to withstand the challenges of climate change.
AM Perspectives 2: Research in advanced manufacturing for architecture and construction
No full textThe pressing challenges of climate change, reduction of available material and skilled labor for construction, have given a big input to the development of advanced manufacturing, declined in the triad of additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing and robotic platforms.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) has held its promise of mass customization, from the component scale to full building scale, providing the imagination that each component could be tailored to specific needs without significantly affecting its production costs or time. Today we are witnessing, that while, perhaps, complete dwellings have not been additively manufactured, certainly there have been few houses and neighbourhoods, having their walls fully 3D printed. We have seen them, to be developed in a variety of materials, from concrete, having the largest share, to earthen and bio-based now starting to appear. Bringing to the resurge of the traditional materials, as well opening up to a nearly infinite exploitation of innovative materials, which can be tailored to use organic compounds, to achieve thermal, acoustic and structural performance on demand.
The definition, prediction and assessment of the performance of those advanced manufactured materials, components, buildings and infrastructures is enabling to refine AM and the development of new architectural tectonics. Numerical and Virtual simulations are enabling prediction and testing of manufacturing stages, in use performances, and life cycle assessments to measure innovation versus current sustainable development goals.
Lately, we are also witnessing the manifestation of the (once) utopian dream of having machines, and robots around us building up components, and full structures. How far are we from the Plug-in City envisioned by the Archigram or by the Gramazio & Kohler urban forms resulting from robotic logics rather than human hands? Perhaps, we are still quite distant by their complete realization, but robotic agents are becoming real in the construction realm. From robotic systems assembling components, to platforms automating repetitive tasks, to digital twins sensing the cities, and drones constructing in harsh environments, we are witnessing growing human-robotic interactions.
Therefore, this book presents and discusses upon the latest research in the field of advanced manufacturing for the building realm, simulation for the advancement of customized properties of AM components, and robotic manufacturing of construction systems developed across a vivid network of researchers based in European Universities. We hope this book can stimulate reflection about the current and future trends in construction automation, with a strong emphasis on their architectural quality, forms of tectonics, and achievable performances. We hope some or many of these, research-based innovation will soon show their full application in construction industry
AM Perspectives 2: Research in advanced manufacturing for architecture and construction
No full textThe pressing challenges of climate change, reduction of available material and skilled labor for construction, have given a big input to the development of advanced manufacturing, declined in the triad of additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing and robotic platforms.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) has held its promise of mass customization, from the component scale to full building scale, providing the imagination that each component could be tailored to specific needs without significantly affecting its production costs or time. Today we are witnessing, that while, perhaps, complete dwellings have not been additively manufactured, certainly there have been few houses and neighbourhoods, having their walls fully 3D printed. We have seen them, to be developed in a variety of materials, from concrete, having the largest share, to earthen and bio-based now starting to appear. Bringing to the resurge of the traditional materials, as well opening up to a nearly infinite exploitation of innovative materials, which can be tailored to use organic compounds, to achieve thermal, acoustic and structural performance on demand.
The definition, prediction and assessment of the performance of those advanced manufactured materials, components, buildings and infrastructures is enabling to refine AM and the development of new architectural tectonics. Numerical and Virtual simulations are enabling prediction and testing of manufacturing stages, in use performances, and life cycle assessments to measure innovation versus current sustainable development goals.
Lately, we are also witnessing the manifestation of the (once) utopian dream of having machines, and robots around us building up components, and full structures. How far are we from the Plug-in City envisioned by the Archigram or by the Gramazio & Kohler urban forms resulting from robotic logics rather than human hands? Perhaps, we are still quite distant by their complete realization, but robotic agents are becoming real in the construction realm. From robotic systems assembling components, to platforms automating repetitive tasks, to digital twins sensing the cities, and drones constructing in harsh environments, we are witnessing growing human-robotic interactions.
Therefore, this book presents and discusses upon the latest research in the field of advanced manufacturing for the building realm, simulation for the advancement of customized properties of AM components, and robotic manufacturing of construction systems developed across a vivid network of researchers based in European Universities. We hope this book can stimulate reflection about the current and future trends in construction automation, with a strong emphasis on their architectural quality, forms of tectonics, and achievable performances. We hope some or many of these, research-based innovation will soon show their full application in construction industry
Blue Papers: Ancient Hydro-Technologies
No full textAs humanity becomes aware of the impacts of climate change and mobilizes to address the inescapable challenges of increasing resource scarcity and of protecting the planet from the damage caused by human activities, innovation becomes a key tool for rethinking our lifestyles and consumption models – that is, the organization of our societies. If it is true at the global level that water crises will inevitably escalate in coming decades, the kind of innovation that we adopt must consider future generations. Our goal should be to leave them an environment that respects biological diversity and ecosystems – where all forms of life coexist in natural balance – thereby ensuring a healthy environment for human communities as well.
If, then, the innovative approach is absolutely fundamental to overcoming a water and climate crisis that is unprecedented in human history, why not also consider what sustainability lessons we can learn from the development models that have preceded us, with a view also to learning from mistakes that have been made? Why not take a look, then, at those traditional knowledge and water management systems that we have often been so quick to relegate to the past - but which are actually the result of extraordinary social, cultural and technological innovations?
On closer inspection, in fact, these are solutions that have been “tested” over centuries and whose sustainability has been witnessed by countless generations residing in the most diverse ecosystem on earth. The uncritical application of new technologies risks the extinction of contemporary ways of life and social organizations that, by their very nature, are ecological and deeply respectful of nature. These are practices inherited from the past that we should take as models for rethinking our future systems of production and resource use.
Here, then, is where this thematic issue of Blue Papers dedicated to AHTs proves to be of fundamental help in rethinking current development models. The various contributions included here show concrete historical cases that can inspire new solutions based certainly on innovative technologies but anchored, at the same time, in that wise hydro-vision of centuries-old social practices of water management. These are practices that demonstrate a forward-looking coexistence with the ecosystems on which life depends – an important basis of a healthy and clean environment.
ADASA is convinced that this is the right approach and it is with this in mind that we are working to realize our MINA Water Memorial project in Brasilia – a water museum that adheres to the UNESCO-IHP principles implemented by the Global Network of Water Museums. In this water museum, we intend to create a state-of-the-art exhibition space to give voice to management models based on ancient hydro-technologies. Indeed, museums represent a powerful medium of science communication, capable of translating complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
Such an exhibition on ancient hydro-technologies will showcase concrete examples as a platform for dialogue, discussion and sharing among government agencies, civil society, environmental associations and business to build a more just and equitable future.
In this spirit, ADASA intends to continue its efforts, also through MINA, for fostering holistic and multidisciplinary reflections for action that rely on forward-looking sources of knowledge for integrated governance of water and heritage
Adaptive Reuse for Housing
No full textTo address the current housing shortage in the Netherlands, approximately 90,000 new homes need to be added to the housing stock annually. Adaptive reuse of vacant buildings for housing contributes to achieve this aim. Until around 2014, adaptive reuse was seen as a solution to office market vacancy, which surged from around 5% nationwide in 2001 to nearly 15% in 2013. The high vacancy rates were partly a result of the dotcom crisis and the financial crisis. These crises, along with technological advancements and an increase in flexible working, led to a reduced need for office space, while an oversupply of office buildings was developed and constructed.
After 2014, a tipping point became apparent. Adaptive reuse was increasingly driven by the demand side of the housing market rather than the supply side of the office market. The focus on sustainable construction and the greening of the existing building stock increased. In the publication preceding this book Transformatie van kantoorgebouwen (Adaptive reuse of offices) from 2007, sustainability was hardly mentioned. At most, adaptive reuse was noted as inherently sustainable because the building was reused. However, due to rising energy costs, the costs of building materials, and the climate crisis, sustainability aspects such as energy-efficiency, circularity, and adaptability have become much more important, though they are not yet fully applied in the market.
Currently, the Netherlands has a high demand for housing, and at the same time many buildings remain vacant. Numerous urban areas comprise outdated office buildings that are no longer in demand or in (full) intended use. Across the country, churches are increasingly left vacant due to aging populations and secularisation. Industrial real estate loses its function as industries relocate from city centres to more accessible locations or abroad. School buildings are left empty as neighbourhoods age. Hospitals are vacated due to new concepts and scaling up of healthcare. Retail space is becoming vacant due to centralisation and online shopping. Thus, buildings originally constructed for these (and other) purposes can be adapted into housing.
The fusion of old and new buildings can potentially contribute to preserving local identity. When architecturally interesting buildings are involved, adaptive reuse also contributes to preserve cultural heritage. Adaptive reuse can support the greening of the building stock, reduce demolition waste and the use of raw materials. Moreover, adaptive reuse could contribute 10-15% to annual housing production.
The conclusion seems logical: adapt vacant buildings into housing. But it\u27s not that simple. The owners of vacant properties and housing developers are not always able to agree on feasible plans for the building’s future destination. Adaptive reuse is different from new construction and therefore requires a different approach. There are also various financial, economic, legal, and policy challenges, such as uncertainty about financial feasibility and fear of lengthy procedures. This is why we have taken the initiative to publish this book now, at a time when we are amid both a housing crisis and a climate crisis. With this book, we aim to provide more insight into the opportunities and challenges of adaptive reuse. We give voice to actors who have gained experience from different perspectives, and we discuss projects that showcase the breadth of Dutch adaptive reuse practices.
This book was written by researchers from the TU Delft, but also various experts from industry contributed. This has resulted in a wide range of themes. Adaptive reuse is examined from different angles, with a focus on feasibility. We then discuss adaptive reuse as a sustainable design, development, and management strategy. The role of different actors is highlighted in the perspectives section: property owners, investors, developers, as well as housing associations, architects, users, and governments. Finally, we present a number of adaptive reuse projects to illustrate best practices
Cyber-physical Architecture #6
No full textThe Spool CpA #6 issue on Human-Robot Interaction for Carbon-free Architecture reviews current tendencies in autonomous construction and human-robotic interaction in architecture. It aims at affirming and/or challenging research agendas in the domain of architectural robots and attempts to answer questions about (i) the fundamental framing of post-carbon autonomous construction, (ii) the interdependencies between machines, humans, and materials, and (iii) the different imple-mentation timeframes ranging from continuous transformation to leapfrogging
AM Perspectives: Research in additive manufacturing for architecture and construction
No full textAs technology continues to evolve, it has made a significant impact on the field of architecture and construction. The introduction of additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, has transformed the way architects and construction professionals approach design and engineering. With the ability to print structures layer by layer, this technology offers a level of precision and complexity that was previously impossible. The current state of research on additive manufacturing for architecture and construction is rapidly expanding, and this book aims to provide an overview of the latest developments in this exciting field at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Delft University of Technology, and the University of Minho.
The book covers the materials and processes used in additive manufacturing for construction, the challenges and opportunities of scaling up 3D printing for large-scale projects, and case studies of innovative 3D-printed structures. We explore the potential implications of additive manufacturing for sustainability, affordability, and accessibility in the construction industry.
Looking to the future, we offer ideas and insights into the possibilities of 3D printing as an ecosystem. As technology continues to improve and costs decrease, additive manufacturing could become a widespread and accessible method of construction, with implications for everything from disaster relief housing to space colonization. The potential for customization and personalization in 3D printing also offers exciting possibilities for individual homeowners and small-scale projects.
We aim at providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on additive manufacturing for architecture and construction, while also exploring the exciting potential for this technology in the years to come. We hope this book will inspire architects, engineers, and researchers to explore the possibilities of 3D printing and to embrace the opportunities for innovation and creativity that it presents