AHO WORKS RESEARCH 2012
RCAT
In terms of its theoretical position, RCAT
takes the development of research-by-design
within architecture as a research enquiry in
itself. The centre has carefully mapped a broad
range of interdisciplinary research by design
efforts in architectural education in the Nordic
region and internationally. This effort is now
being extended to studying the integration of
research and design in architectural practice.
The centre has contributed significantly to
the first volumes of the
As Built
book series,
AHO’s project to methodically document
Norwegian architectural projects of merit
as a resource, not only for interested general
readers, but also for committed researchers.
These efforts have helped to underpin RCAT’s
approach to the built environment as a vast
repository of embedded knowledge. This posi-
tion places particular focus on combining spa-
tial and material strategies to articulate the built
environment, and on understanding how archi-
tecture modulates local and microclimate, how
it can provide for a broad scope of space use and
habitation, and how it supports local ecosys-
tems. Emphasis is placed both on new designs,
as well as on supplementing the already existing
built environment with auxiliary architectures
to improve its performative capacities.
Successful grant capture depends on build-
ing strong foundations within research groups.
Efforts in establishing research in the use of
wood in architecture commenced initially in
2009 and 2010 with the ResponsiveWood Stu-
dio Courses and related seminar courses that
focused on a biomimetic approach to wood.
Further efforts included the Small Buildings
Studio in 2011-12. Strategic meetings and dis-
cussions with the NorwegianMinistry of Agri-
culture and Forestry, TreFokus, the Norwegian
Institute of Wood Technology, the Norwegian
University of Life Sciences in Ås and other key
organisations commenced in 2011. In 2012 a
themed PhD stipend was launched with focus
on the performative capacity of wooden surfac-
es in architecture. In 2012, based on this plat-
form of investigation, the prestigious Bionær
Research Grant was awarded to AHO and its
collaborating partners to finance the ‘Wood-
be-better’ research project that focuses on the
use of wood in architecture in urban contexts
(21M NOK 2.5M Euro).
International collaboration is of vital impor-
tance to RCAT’s activities and strategic devel-
opment. In 2012 the centre collaborated with
the department of architecture at Cornell Uni-
versity in co-organising two symposia, which
focus on the relation between architecture
and ecology and that took place in February
2012 and 2013 respectively. Conversations com-
menced with Chalmers University to co-host a
symposium in September 2013 that will focus
on the integration of research and design in
architectural practice. During 2012 this inter-
national collaboration led to a range of research
production around full-scale construction.
This includes most notably the four projects
constructed at the Open City in Ritoque, Chile.
Biomimetics and
Biological Systems
Analysis at RCAT
Michael U. Hensel
Director
RCAT
