My general research interests focus on architectural production in post-colonial societies. I started my research in my Masters with a study of architecture in Pakistan after independence and how simultaneous tensions and fusions between ideals of nationalism and religion have influenced the production of architecture in the country. Through this study I am also focusing on expressions of national identity through architectural form and space and the role that a 20th century expression of Islamic architecture has played in the formation of a post-colonial nation state. In my PhD I hope to expand this inquiry to the larger South-Asian region and/or the Post-colonial Muslim world.
Lab/Center: BE PhD Program
Lucky Pratama
I am interested in research related to emerging technology in the AEC industry, and looking for opportunities to conduct experiment-based research whenever possible, particularly research related to virtual construction or construction safety. I have additional interests in public-private partnerships, lean construction, and project delivery.
Kristin Potterton
I am interested in exploring the development of historic structural systems. I plan on researching a historic development in structural engineering and construction, exploring the history, including the introduction and implementation of the system, balancing a historic narrative with a technical engineering exploration, as well as considerations for modern construction – in both new and preservation contexts. I am particularly interested in focusing my research on the development of the West Coast and Pacific Northwest. I am a structural engineer and am also interested in structural engineering topics, including teaching and the history of the structural engineering field, as well as broader topics related to the history of construction and building technologies, historic preservation, and sustainable design.
Bo Peng
My particular interest and great passion lies in the social consequences of inclusive landscapes in immigrant communities, especially in relation to public space. I would love to research the typologies and requirements of an inclusive place-making that conveys respect to different needs and activities, especially under today’s political atmosphere in terms of immigration and the xenophobia surrounding it. My doctoral study will try to establish a comprehensive understanding of the inclusivity and livability of more recent immigrant communities, as concerned directly with the narrative of everyday activities. How can inclusive public spaces in immigrant communities that serve diverse populations, including outsiders, promote environmentally as well as socially sustainable development of those communities? I would also like to explore the theory of space syntax with regard to an inclusive place-making process. By analyzing spatial configuration of public landscapes that are shaped by people’s everyday activities, space syntax offers empirical studies regarding reciprocal impacts of human behavior and the environment.
Christopher Monson
My research interests focus on the contemporary problems of integrated architecture, engineering, and construction practices, particularly the communication processes and team workflows that support them. This work is at the intersection of AEC and the sociological and organizational theories that help identify and analyze the activities within professional practice collaboration. I am using qualitative studies to build theory and practice models for Lean Construction, sustainable design and construction, and integration across design, construction, and facility management. I am also working with technological constructs like BIM and COBie that form foundations for new kinds of collaboration.
I am a licensed architect, and have been a long-time educator in architecture and construction. I have taught design and construction studios, building detailing and assemblages, and architectural theory, and have been recognized institutionally and nationally for teaching excellence. My instructional research is focused on studio-based learning and design thinking.
Kyle McDermott
My research interests are in organizational excellence and change theory, systems approaches to sustainable development, and the use of virtual reality for providing increased transparency and understanding of sustainable building and green infrastructure technologies. I am intrigued by post-colonial theory and alternative understandings of decision-making and creative processes within institutions, organizations, and communities that collectively define value and objectives as they relate to creation of the built environment. I’m particularly interested in how these collective understandings and decision-making structures can work to ensure equitability and participation that centers diverse semantic and cultural approaches to sustainability.
Bo Jung
I am interested in developing analysis methods and metrics for accurate daylight analysis. More concretely, I would like to work on developing color accurate sky models through analyzing HDR photographs, and to integrate it to annual daylight simulation method. Additionally, I am also interested in integration of daylight simulation in environmental design.
Babita Joy
I plan to examine the intersections of architectural practice and theory, specifically, the interweaving of structural and material compositions with theoretical frameworks. My research focuses on the architecture of modern/contemporary cultural spaces being shaped by influences of technology, interdisciplinary dialogue, culture, and urbanism. I have additional interests in materiality, complexity theory, minimalism, construction history, and transnational and global architects/architecture.
Kirk Hochstatter
In addition to working in the construction industry, I plan to research reliability in supply chains and its impact on economic stability in prefabricated materials. I will further explore how human behaviors, such as communication, impact project reliability. I have helped design and teach the newly launched undergraduate digital tools course at UW and am an active member and leader of the Cascadia-Seattle LCI community of practice.
Daniel Dimitrov
My personal research interests include emerging building technologies, such as BIM, and their integration into the field, augmented reality within construction, sustainability within the construction management industry, net-zero or net-positive energy buildings, and emerging building technologies as a whole. I am also interested in building energy performance for new construction and retrofits, decarbonization of buildings, passive sustainable design for buildings, and building to grid optimization.