Informing Practice through Research

Last Wednesday the SA Chapter held the Informing Practice through Research Forum.  The forum was the most recent activity undertaken by the Academic/Practice Work Group, which aims to increase the collaboration between research and practice.

So why is research relevant in practice?  Every architecture project is a prototype.  In order to design architects must develop an understanding of the client’s requirements, the site, the regulatory parameters and the technical factors relevant to the project and resolve this information into a design response.  All of this is research, albeit very project specific and focused research.  Definition of problems and resolution of problems are integral to the practice of architecture as well as are inherent aspects of research.

Having agreed that all architects undertake research in some form, the forum considered the barriers to pursuing further research activity in practice.  The primary reasons identified was the lack of available time.  Given the pressures on the profession at the current time undertaking research may appear to be an unrealistic luxury.  However, if pursuing research adds value to projects and provides a point of difference in the marketplace then research can be viewed as an investment in the future of the profession and a means of improving business viability.
Research enables design thinking to be underpinned by evidence thereby gaining credibility with clients and the wider community.  By engaging with research architects can move beyond instinct and unsubstantiated observation to build a compelling, evidence based case for design decisions.  In a society that values certainty and wants innovation while simultaneously seeking to minimise risk, having an evidence based approach is a powerful value add.

The process by which practice can interact with academics and engage with research was also discussed.  Suggestions ranged from an informal conversation to embedding researchers within projects or practitioners within research teams.  Grant types and the different avenues for that they present for collaboration between academia and practice were also explained.

Opportunities for engaging with current research to inform project decisions, test outcomes and validate design decisions were also discussed.  The range and relevance of the research activities currently being undertaken at both universities was highlighted during brief presentations from some of the academics present at the forum.  Yes, some topics are highly conceptual and theoretical, but many are focused on issues faced by practice.  And while the practically focused research may appear easier to apply in a practice context, the conceptual may inspire practice to explore different methodologies and invigorate their design thinking.  ARM is a prime example.

So, how can links between practitioners and academics be improved?  Increasing the understanding of how practice and academia work and who is involved in particular types of activity is a vital first step in achieving this aim.  Forums are one way to achieve this.  Practitioners participating in sessional teaching, critiques and other activities within universities is another example.  The Academic/Practice Work Group and future Forums will explore others.

A register of academics and their areas of research was also discussed.  This would be beneficial for improving knowledge of the research resource available.  Practitioners could also be listed on the register to indicate areas of practice specialisation.  The register would be provide a first point of reference for both practice and academia to identify potential collaborators.  It would enable academics to access projects to test and validate their research and practitioners to inform research topics and access specialist knowledge.  The key will be to develop a platform that is easy to access and maintain.

South Australia is a small and connected community.  We have the ideal environment for fostering collaborative enterprise.  This provides us with a fantastic opportunity to develop a mutually supportive relationship between practice and academia that will grow the capacity and the capability of the architecture profession.

The Forum was sponsored by Boral, who are a long term partner of the SA Chapter.   We thank Boral for their ongoing support for the architecture profession.

Written by Nicolette Di Lernia
SA Chapter Manager