WITH/OUT WATER

The research project 'Architecture and Urbanisation With/Out Water' investigates the material, tectonic and social dimensions of architecture in its relationship towards water.

The research project 'Architecture and Urbanisation With/Out Water' investigates the material, tectonic and social dimensions of architecture in its relationship towards water. Protocols of water-use vary dramatically across the globe. The research focusses on practices of water relative to architecture including agriculture, construction, energy, shelter, hygiene. Learnings help to address architecturally some of the challenges linked to anthropogenic climate change in the immediate future. Methods include the study of social practices and vernacular approaches, ecology, hydrology, architectural and urban parametric prototyping, development of physical, digital and blended models and simulation tools. Design research studios with the National University Singapore, School of Design and Environment have been conducted since 2018: With/Out Water: Architecture within a water-food nexus in Khulna, Bangladesh.

EDUCATION RESEARCH

The research on Education aims to transform the interdisciplinary research findings into communicable, teachable and applicable outcomes for urban design by the development of so called 'Urban Elements’ and the development of Engagement Formats.

TOOLS

We develop and use digital tools for analysis, design, communication, and education. Our tools harness data and technology both critically and productively. These tools address the analytical, generative, simulation, visualisation and communication domains of design processes.

Wave Breaker

The “Wave-breaker” project challenges conventional architectural drafting methods as it is a land-art and landscape installation. The project narrates the story of seemingly abandoned industrial artifacts (the concrete precast wave-breakers) in a desert landscape.

AUREL VON RICHTHOFEN

Dr Aurel von Richthofen is a researcher, architect and urban designer. He leads the practice aurelVR that entered numerous international competitions and worked on several private commissions. As senior researcher Aurel leads the Education Research programme at the Future Cities Laboratory (FCL) in Singapore. His current research investigates cities as dynamic and complex systems with the project 'Semantic Urban Elements'.