School of Architecture, Design and Planning

Thesis Topics and Supervisors

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  1. Informal Housing in Global North (Australia)
    This research examines the growing prevalence of informal housing in the Global North, particularly Australia, challenging assumptions that advanced economies are defined by stable and formal housing systems. It explores non-standard living arrangements—such as unregulated rentals, overcrowding, converted garages, couch-surfing and house‑sitting—to reveal informal housing as an expanding yet underexamined response to growing housing stress.

Supervisor: Dr Sara Alidoust

  1. Planning Healthy and Resilient Cities
    This research focuses on planning healthy and resilient cities through the development of policies and indicators for measuring and analysing health and resilience outcomes in urban planning and city governance. Related research in health‑focused and resilience‑oriented policy, planning, and urban design is also welcomed.

Supervisor: Dr Sara Alidoust

  1. Child-first inclusive urban and place-based design
    Looking at Zillmere, North Brisbane, linked to this project – Bindi Bindi Place

Supervisor: Associate Professor Stephanie Wyeth

  1. Women and girls’ safety in public spaces
    Safe Cities | Safe Streets - Queensland Walks

Supervisor: Associate Professor Stephanie Wyeth

  1. Designing for inclusion
    Review this record in UQ eSpace: https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:8cbc727

Supervisor: Associate Professor Stephanie Wyeth and Dr Kali Marnane (URBIS)

  1. Embodied Carbon Analysis of Contemporary Buildings in Subtropical Queensland
    This thesis focuses on understanding embodied carbon of contemporary buildings in Southeast Queensland using whole‑of‑life life cycle assessment (LCA) methods. Through a detailed case study, students will quantify carbon impacts associated with material selection, structural systems, construction processes, maintenance, and end‑of‑life scenarios and propose lower carbon alternatives. The research supports evidence‑based design decisions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining building performance and climate resilience. Students are welcome to propose case study buildings from architectural practices in which they work, provided permission from the practice is obtained.

        Supervisor: Dr Paul Matthew and Associate Professor Paola Leardini

  1. Climate‑Resilience, Occupant Comfort, and Energy Performance in Subtropical Buildings
    This thesis examines how contemporary buildings in subtropical Queensland respond to the increasing heat, humidity, climate variability and extreme climatic conditions expected in future decades.  Students will undertake a quantitative analysis of a case study building, estimate the consequences of design options in current and future climates or during specific extreme events and propose alternatives to mitigate bad outcomes. Students are welcome to propose case study buildings from practices in which they work, provided written permission from the practice is obtained.

Supervisor: Dr Paul Matthew and Associate Professor Paola Leardini

  1. Design for Disassembly and Reuse in Contemporary Building Systems
    This thesis investigates how design for disassembly (DfD) and design for reuse (DfR) can be embedded within contemporary building projects. Using a selected case study, students critically analyse existing materials and construction systems, then develop alternative material palettes and construction details to maximise reversibility, adaptability, and future reuse. The project combines technical detailing with environmental thinking, supporting architecture that anticipates change and extends material life beyond a single use cycle.

        Supervisor: Dr Paul Matthew and Associate Professor Paola Leardini

  1. Flexible work and city futures: Architecture and urban design
    Work patterns are undergoing rapid transformation as digital connectivity and global shocks normalise flexible and remote work worldwide. This research investigates how flexible work affects domestic and urban living and how housing design, neighbourhood amenities and social infrastructure will interact with emerging work practices to shape wellbeing across domestic, local and city scales. There is scope in research for place-based investigation liaising with the UQ Centre for Community Health at Springfield, design-based research on housing types addressing precedents and co-supervision.

       Supervisor: Professor Antony Moulis

  1. The AIA Gold Medal: Valuing Australian Architecture since 1960
    This thesis project will build on existing research undertaken by academics in the ATCH (Architecture Theory Culture History) Research Centre on how concepts of value and quality are determined in architecture. Taking the AIA Gold Medal as its focus, interested student/s will work with the project supervisors to develop an independent research project that looks at the history of this prestigious professional award, and the ways in which it contributes to the creation of value in the discipline.

       Supervisors: Dr Ashley Paine & Dr Susan Holden

  1. Nature-Integrated Design in Subtropical Queensland
    Work with us to explore how to green our built environment and make it more liveable and sustainable. This thesis project investigates design strategies for integrating vegetation into buildings in tropical and subtropical environments, positioning plants as an active architectural material rather than a decorative element.

Supervisor: Associate Professor Silvia Micheli

  1. Ontology of the Computational: Architecture, Code and the Status of Design Knowledge
    This thesis examines computation not only as a design tool, but as an ontological condition shaping architectural thought, authorship and material practice. It asks how algorithms, models and simulations redefine what architecture knows and produces. The project addresses a gap between technical use and theoretical reflection. Students will develop a thesis through literature review, conceptual framework, case study analysis and a critical argument on computational agency in architecture.

       Supervisor: Associate Professor Fred Fialho Teixeira

  1. Biogenic Robotic Additive Manufacturing: Living Materials, Digital Craft and Architectural Production
    This thesis by design investigates how biogenic materials and robotic additive manufacturing can reframe architectural production beyond extraction, standardisation and waste. It explores bio-clay, algae-based matter or regenerative composites through prototyping, robotic toolpath design and material testing. The research addresses the gap between bio-material speculation and scalable fabrication knowledge. Students will structure the thesis through precedent review, material experiments, robotic workflows, prototype fabrication and design reflection.

Supervisor: Associate Professor Fred Fialho Teixeira

  1. Spatial Data Digital Twins: Immersive Design Intelligence for Future Built Environments
    This thesis by design explores spatial data digital twins as design instruments for analysing, simulating and communicating complex-built environments. It asks how BIM, GIS, sensors, XR and visual analytics can support architectural decision-making across climate, movement, occupancy and urban performance. The project responds to a gap between operational data systems and design imagination. Students will develop the thesis through data mapping, twin modelling, scenario testing, immersive visualisation and design proposition.

Supervisor: Associate Professor Fred Fialho Teixeira