Professor Ostwald’s research uses computational methods to analyse, optimise or better understand architectural and urban space. His research typically involves modelling or examining the complex relationships between design and human behaviour and cognition. Michael has a doctorate (PhD) in architectural history and theory and a higher doctorate (DSc) in design computing and mathematics. Under the auspices of the Byera Hadley international fellowship he completed postdoctoral research at the CCA (Montreal, Canada), the Loeb (Harvard, USA) and UCLA (Los Angeles, USA). Michael is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Nexus Network Journal: Architecture and Mathematics (Springer) and on the editorial boards of ARQ (Cambridge) and Architectural Theory Review (Taylor and Francis). He has authored more than 430 scholarly publications, including 20 books. His recent publications include the two-volume Architecture and Mathematics from Antiquity to the Future (Springer, 2015), co-edited with Kim Williams; The Fractal Dimension of Architecture (Birkhäuser, 2016), co-authored with Josephine Vaughan; and The Mathematics of the Modernist Villa (Birkhäuser 2018), co-authored with Michael J. Dawes. From 2018 Michael is Series Editor of Birkhäuser’s Mathematics and the Built Environment (a research monograph series) and Topic-Editor for Springer-Nature’s Mathematics in Art, Architecture and Design. His practice-based, non-traditional research outputs (NTROs) include over 100 published, exhibited and executed design works.

Bruce’s area of research is currently centred on learning and teaching within design studio settings. This research allows a nexus between making and teaching and the possibility for both to influence the other. Bruce also has a research agenda around Sustainable modular transportable housing and with a research team is developing carbon neutral prototypes.

My research interests cover a range of topics within the broad ambit of built environment sustainability, including urban morphology, urban metabolism and ecosystem services, urban climatology and architectural/urban ambience (experienced physical and psychological qualities of the built environment). I see the future direction of my research as consolidating and developing the above, with a key objective being to support the emergence and growth of recognised “nodes of excellence” around these (and related) topics. My most recent research project experience has been as chief investigator and lead author for the Guide to Urban Cooling Strategies, launched in August 2017 by the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living; and as member of the National Green Infrastructure Network team which delivered the Urban Ecology Desktop Review and Blueprint for Living Cities: Policy to Practice reports for the NSW Environmental Trust in April 2017.

Dijana's research interests focus on the relationship between modernity and national expression in architecture, particularly in the context of (post-World War 2) 'Eastern' Europe. In her teaching Dijana draws inspiration as well as theoretical understanding from her research. In developing the design curriculum she aims to enhance the links between architectural design and broader socio-political contexts.

Key research areas include: war and architecture, modern architecture and national expression in Eastern Europe, cross cultural histories of modern architecture in Europe and Australia, heritage studies, technology, multiculturalism and cultural memory.

My research interests cover a range of topics within the broad ambit of built environment sustainability, including urban morphology, urban metabolism and ecosystem services, urban climatology and architectural/urban ambience (experienced physical and psychological qualities of the built environment). I see the future direction of my research as consolidating and developing the above, with a key objective being to support the emergence and growth of recognised “nodes of excellence” around these (and related) topics. My most recent research project experience has been as chief investigator and lead author for the Guide to Urban Cooling Strategies, launched in August 2017 by the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living; and as member of the National Green Infrastructure Network team which delivered the Urban Ecology Desktop Review and Blueprint for Living Cities: Policy to Practice reports for the NSW Environmental Trust in April 2017.

Architectural design and computing
I developed a Glenn Murcutt shape grammar in 2012 (as part of ARC DP1094154 – “Computational analysis of the 20th century architecture”), proposing a new mathematical approach to analysing and generating design instances within a specific language of architectural design. The final output was invited to present a fully funded, plenary talk at Cultural DNA Workshop 2017. I have further developed an innovative method that combines Shape Grammar and Space Syntax approaches to offer a rigorous way of understanding an architectural style and then producing variations of that style. The two approaches have only rarely been connected in the past. This research has provided a new critical knowledge base about architecture in terms of forms, styles and spatial configurations. In 2016, I undertook a strategic pilot grants project, “New computational tools for assessing spatial and social cognition in aged-care environments”, which syntactically examined Australian and Korean facilities as well as hypothetical designs reflecting ‘best practice’ in the industry. These grammatical and/or syntactical studies over the eight years have resulted in a co-authored book, presenting advances into two of the areas of research.

Design cognition
Involved in strategic research on design computing and cognition in 2011, I developed a methodological framework for exploring parametric design processes. I also advanced protocol analysis techniques to analyse architectural design protocols. These works assisted in the development of HDR students’ formal methodologies and attracted a strong audience’ interest at international conferences such as Design Research Society (2012) and Design Computing and Cognition (2012) – invited to present in a plenary session. In late 2012, I started my own cognitive project, “Formal evaluation of creativity on parametric design”. I developed an innovative research framework, combining protocol analysis (process) and a consensual assessment technique (product), to investigate creativity in parametric design. Such a conceptual framework has not previously been available and is a catalyst for this research program on the language of design. 
My strategic pilot project (2014) on multi-cultural design communication was the first study into the relationship spatial cognition and spatial language in the field of architectural design. This research has proposed a significant conceptual leap viewing design cognition from a linguistic perspective and was invited to be published in a special issue of International Journal of Architectural Computing.
Awarded an international relations grant from the DFAT in 2016, I organised two ‘Design and Language’ symposiums (2016 Seoul, 2017 Newcastle). I also initiated a cross-cultural network, ‘Australia–Korea design language group’, to develop educational, cultural and industrial links between Australia and South Korea. My OLT project (2016-18) have also developed pedagogical solutions to the linguistic and cultural barriers in design education. It developed 23 design protocols produced by Australian and Asian architectural students from four architecture schools in Australia. It also recorded and examined two sets of interviews, (1) focus-group interviews and (2) face-to-face interviews. Since this multi-focused research contributes to fundamental knowledge-building pertaining to how different cultures understand and communicate design, it was invited to deliver keynotes at (Co)Design events (2017).

Catherine has been instrumental in researching the intersection of environmental impact on human performance.  Her funded research has been sustained and substantial. Over the last decade her grant income has totalled several million dollars. The majority of research reports are available online and have made a significant impact nationally and internationally on both housing policy and practice and have been cited in National Productivity Commission reports.

Within the University, Catherine’s contribution to the overall research performance quantum and research review outcomes both within the City Futures Research Centre and the larger Faculty of the Built Environment have been significant. Her research program is strategic and is shaped by a clear vision that builds on significant faculty, interfaculty and industry collaboration.

Bruce’s area of research is currently centred on learning and teaching within design studio settings. This research allows a nexus between making and teaching and the possibility for both to influence the other. Bruce also has a research agenda around Sustainable modular transportable housing and with a research team is developing carbon neutral prototypes.

Dijana is internationally recognized for her scholarship on the relationship between architecture and society, in its multiple representations. This ranges from discussions on war and national identity to social and affordable housing. In broad terms, Dijana’s research is concerned with the relationship between architecture and the political and social contexts within which it is constructed. Her early research was prompted by her personal experience of war and the destruction of cultural heritage in Bosnia and Hercegovina, the former Yugoslavia. Her doctoral thesis explored the correlations between architectural identity and political ideology.

Dijana’s research on war and architecture is ongoing and has generated more than 20 publications, including the recent book chapter Alic, D. (2019). Mapping the War: Everyday Survival during the Siege of Sarajevo. In A. Pieris (Ed.), Architecture on the Borderline Boundary Politics and Built Space (pp. 139-156). Routledge.

Dijana’s ongoing interest in social aspects of architecture has included a collaborative research and teaching project that explores social housing in Vienna.  The outcomes are published as Alic, D., & Jadric, M. (2019). At Home in Vienna - Zuhause in Wien: Studies of exemplary affordable housing. Wien: TU Academic Press. https://tuwienweb.asol.at/produkt/at-home-in-vienna-zu-hause-in-wien/

My research interests cover a range of topics within the broad ambit of built environment sustainability, including urban morphology, urban metabolism and ecosystem services, urban climatology and architectural/urban ambience (experienced physical and psychological qualities of the built environment). I see the future direction of my research as consolidating and developing the above, with a key objective being to support the emergence and growth of recognised “nodes of excellence” around these (and related) topics. My most recent research project experience has been as chief investigator and lead author for the Guide to Urban Cooling Strategies, launched in August 2017 by the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living; and as member of the National Green Infrastructure Network team which delivered the Urban Ecology Desktop Review and Blueprint for Living Cities: Policy to Practice reports for the NSW Environmental Trust in April 2017.

Catherine has been instrumental in researching the intersection of environmental impact on human performance.  Her funded research has been sustained and substantial. Over the last decade her grant income has totalled several million dollars. The majority of research reports are available online and have made a significant impact nationally and internationally on both housing policy and practice and have been cited in National Productivity Commission reports.

Within the University, Catherine’s contribution to the overall research performance quantum and research review outcomes both within the City Futures Research Centre and the larger Faculty of the Built Environment have been significant. Her research program is strategic and is shaped by a clear vision that builds on significant faculty, interfaculty and industry collaboration.