The Research Centre for Architecture and Tectonics is the for-
malised research environment of the institute for architecture
at AHO. The centre supports interdisciplinary studios, elec-
tive courses and workshop sessions involving architecture and
design teaching staff and students focused on research-by-de-
sign as a mode of inquiry. In this context emphasis has been
placed on the development of [i] auxiliary architectures, in
particular complex membrane and cable-net systems, [ii] the
responsive capacities of wood as a porous, heterogeneous and
hygroscopic material, [iii] design and construction of complex
structural brick systems, [iv] biomimetics and biological sys-
tems analysis, and [v] computational design, analysis and fab-
rication. An overarching theoretical theme is the refinement of
the idea of performance in architecture. Projects within RCAT
use varying methods to question and refound this concept.
Full-scale construction constitutes an essential element of this
research endeavour, carried out both in senior researcher pro-
jects and in the studio courses. In 2008 a number of research-
by-design focused PhD stipends were launched at AHO and
respective candidates were, wherever possible, encouraged to
co-teach studio and elective courses, as well as to direct work-
shop sessions. This makes it possible to elaborate a system of
inquiry that correlates and interlinks education and research
systematically, while involving practice and industry closely in
these efforts.
The initial strategic funding period of three years (2011-13),
granted by AHO, focused on configuring the specific research
approach of RCAT through the development of an underlying
theoretical framework; through creating a committed research
culture at the institute of architecture, including increase in
grant capture; through building a recognised track-record in
research, and more particularly research-by-design in archi-
tecture; and through initiating national and international col-
laboration with key partners.
Experimental
Wood Structures
at RCAT
Architecture, performance and innovation
