Architecture, Building and Planning

Learn how we’re making a difference

Our research teams are actively assessing the impacts of COVID-19. Projects range from analysis and models to assist decision makers and understanding its effects on global cities, through to predicting the necessary changes to our working environments.

We researched the effect of design on children in healthcare and wellbeing settings. This project led to resources to assist architects and government agencies to provide more supportive care environments for children and their families.

We determined how to design safe streets that prevent injuries. Together with Columbia University and the Barcelona Institute of Global Health, we analysed 1700 cities worldwide. The outcomes promote better data-based urban design for fewer road accidents.

We’ve worked alongside schools to evaluate learning spaces. The research findings then informed the re-design of these spaces across different school systems and hundreds of schools. We collaborated with the State Government of Victoria and independent schools organisations.

We’ve promoted greater attention for urban equality in planning and policymaking in cities around the world. To achieve this, we teamed up with the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment at University College London, one of more than 10 international partners.

This is only a snapshot of research in architecture, building and planning. We’re continuing to push the boundaries of built environment inquiry, on a global scale. See the work of our research units to learn more.

Explore the research

Research units

The faculty hosts research groups that bring together internationally recognised experts. They are leaders in built environment research across a variety of areas. They also offer platforms to engage with other faculties and disciplines.

Research units in our Faculty

• Advanced Digital Design and Fabrication Research Hub – exploring diverse fields, from data-driven design and robotics to 3D printing and mixed reality environments
• Informal Urbanism Research Hub – focusing on the informal side of cities
• Learning Environments Applied Research Network – understanding and improving the way learning and built environments intersect
• Sustainable and Healthy Environments Research Lab – evaluating the performance of spaces to positively affect satisfaction, productivity and wellbeing.
• Transport, Health and Urban Design Research – driving research on wellbeing in cities, via urban analytics.

University Centres and Institutes we host

• Australian Centre for Architectural History, Urban and Cultural Heritage – specialising in historical and cultural analysis of the built environment
• Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network – focusing on spatial analysis and datasets of Australia’s cities
• Hallmark Research Initiative for Affordable Housing – facilitating research into the quality and sustainability of housing
• Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute – convening the University’s collaboration on sustainability and resilience
• Melbourne Centre for Cities – working with international partners on the key drivers of city leadership

Partner with an overseas institution

Current funded Joint PhD opportunities

We offer numerous opportunities to connect your graduate research experience to international partners and experts working with us to advance built environment research. We currently host joint PhD projects with internationally renowned institutes such as the University of Manchester, KU Leuven and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, for instance.

For example, two joint PhD projects are underway between the Melbourne Centre for Cities and the University of Manchester.

• A study by Caitlin Morrissey of global city-making in Manchester and Melbourne investigating how urban infrastructure is being reshaped in these city-regions, with the Manchester Urban Institute.
• A study by Hannah McNichol on the impact of the 'new cold War' in shaping the urbanisation of special economic zones in Asia, with the Manchester Global Development Institute.

When you undertake a joint PhD, your research will benefit from a truly global perspective. And you will enhance your prospects for an international research career. Search for opportunities within the theme of architecture, building and design, among our current fully funded Joint PhD opportunities.

Work in a stimulating environment

Melbourne School of Design

You will be based in an inspiring building that enables multidisciplinary engagement. It also supports the exploration of complex built environment issues.

Graduate researchers have dedicated spaces to study and work. You can access contemporary facilities within our building and across campus to support your research. These include the faculty’s FabLab, NeXT Lab, Makerspace and MicroStudio.

Precincts

When you research with us, you’ll be in the heart of Australia’s leading scientific and cultural precincts. All of these will inform your research within the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning.

Opening in 2024, our new engineering and design campus at Fishermans Bend will bring research to life at an industrial scale. Purpose-built facilities will allow researchers and students to collaborate with industry to tackle real-world challenges. Together, we will turn groundbreaking ideas into market-ready solutions. And we will create a globally connected and thriving public realm in the heart of Fishermans Bend.

See industry and research precincts to learn more about scientific, cultural and entrepreneurial precincts close to our campuses.