No. 30 (2025): TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFER AND NEW RESEARCH HORIZON. Connecting university, industry and communities to innovate and transform society
Essays and Viewpoint

The practice of design as a vehicle for knowledge, between university and professional practice

PDF
  • Giiulia Vignati,
  • Gianluca Pozzi,
  • Laura Daglio,
  • Elisabetta Ginelli
Giiulia Vignati
Dipartimento di Architettura, Ingegneria delle Costruzioni e Ambiente Costruito, Politecnico di Milano, Italia
Gianluca Pozzi
Dipartimento di Architettura, Ingegneria delle Costruzioni e Ambiente Costruito, Politecnico di Milano, Italia
Laura Daglio
Dipartimento di Architettura, Ingegneria delle Costruzioni e Ambiente Costruito, Politecnico di Milano, Italia
Elisabetta Ginelli
Dipartimento di Architettura, Ingegneria delle Costruzioni e Ambiente Costruito, Politecnico di Milano, Italia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/techne-17446

Published 2025-11-07

Keywords

  • Design,
  • Knowledge,
  • Education,
  • Research by design,
  • Professional practice

How to Cite

Vignati, G., Gianluca Pozzi, Laura Daglio, & Elisabetta Ginelli. (2025). The practice of design as a vehicle for knowledge, between university and professional practice. TECHNE - Journal of Technology for Architecture and Environment, (30), 57–68. https://doi.org/10.36253/techne-17446

Copyright (c) 2025 Giiulia Vignati, Gianluca Pozzi, Laura Daglio, Elisabetta Ginelli

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

Abstract

The education of architects is characterised by the integration of theoretical knowledge and professional practice. However, changes in the university system and the increasing specialisation of research have deepened the divide between academic training and professional work. Research, often focused on the development of guidelines and policy tools, tends to have limited or fragmented applications in the construction sector. In this context, the contribution explores the transfer of technology and knowledge between universities, institutions, and non-academic actors, highlighting the role of design as a research tool and the need for dialogue between academia, the profession, and the production sector to foster innovation.

PDF

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

  1. AAVV. (2020), Architectural Design: Volume 90, Issue 2 – Special Issue: The Disruptors: Technology‐Driven Architect‐Entrepreneurs, March/April 2020.
  2. Adamoli, M. (2024), Lo sviluppo dei docenti universitari tra progettazione didattica e ricerca, Pensa MultiMedia, Lecce. ISBN: 9791255680505.
  3. Andrews, M.W. (2022), “The mantra of architecture practitioners: Architectural education is detached from the profession. Healing the schism: The need for reformation in UK architecture education”, Journal of Problem-Based Learning, Vol. 9, n. 1, pp. 4–12. Available at: https://doi.org/10.24313/jpbl.2021.00108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24313/jpbl.2021.00108
  4. Archibugi, D. and Filippetti, A. (2011), Innovation and Economic Crisis: Lessons and Prospects from the Economic Downturn (1st ed.), Routledge, Londra. Available at: 10.4324/9780203804513.
  5. Aydemir, A. Z. and Jacoby, S. (2022), “Architectural design research: Drivers of practice”, The Design Journal, Vol. 25, n. 4, pp. 657–674. Available at: 10.1080/14606925.2022.2081303. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14606925.2022.2081303
  6. Bertoni, F. (2016), Universitaly. La cultura in scatola, Laterza, Roma-Bari. ISBN:9788858124499.
  7. Biraghi, M. (2019), L’architetto come intellettuale, Einaudi, Torino. ISBN: 9788806239923.
  8. Boyer, E.L. and Mitgang, L.D. (1990), Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities of professoriate, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Princeton.
  9. Braidotti, R. (2013), The Posthuman, Polity Press, Cambridge. ASIN: 074564158X.
  10. Buchanan, P. (2012), “The big rethink part 9: Rethinking architectural education”, The Architectural Review, 28 September. Available at: https://www.architectural-review.com/archive/campaigns/the-big-rethink/the-big-rethink-part-9-rethinking-architectural-education (Accessed on 09/07/2025).
  11. Campioli, A. (2025), “Teaching architectural design in transition time”, in Faroldi, E. and Vettori, M.P. (Eds.), FORMAMENTIS. For a Didactics of Architecture, LetteraVentidue, Siracusa. ISBN: 9791256440238.
  12. Ciribini, G. (1984), Tecnologia e progetto, Celid, Torino.
  13. Coleman, N. (2010), “The limits of professional architectural education”, International Journal of Art & Design Education, Vol. 29, pp. 200-212. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-8070.2010.01643.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-8070.2010.01643.x
  14. Cross, N. (2007), Designerly Ways of Knowing, Birkhäuser, Basilea.
  15. Cutiero, A. (2022), “The architect-researcher: exploring new possibilities for the production of architecture”. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/975921/the-architect-researcher-exploring-new-possibilities-for-the-production-of-architecture(Accessed on 09/07/2025).
  16. D’Emilio, M. (2020), La Formazione dell’Architetto. Un’indagine tra lavoro, professione e università, Tesi di Dottorato di Ricerca in Architettura – Teorie e Progetto, La Sapienza, Roma.
  17. Delaunay, F., Laureau, V., Hoddé, R., Feveile, L., Hatzfeld, H. and Lagurgue, X. (2024), “Hors les murs : une nouvelle approche pédagogique en architecture ?”, Les Cahiers de la recherche architecturale urbaine et paysagère. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4000/13351. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/13351
  18. Dunin-Woyseth, H. and Nilsson, F. (2011), “Building a culture of doctoral scholarship in architecture and design. A Belgian-Scandinavian case”, Nordic Journal of Architectural Research, Vol. 23, n. 1. Available at: https://publications.lib.chalmers.se/records/fulltext/157410/local_157410.pdf (Accessed on 09/07/2025).
  19. EAAE (2022), Charter on Architectural Research. Available at: https://www.eaae.be/about/statutes-and-policypapers/eaae-charter-architectural-research/ (Accessed on 09/07/2025).
  20. EUA (2025), “How universities can protect and promote academic freedom”. Available at: https://www.eua.eu/images/publications/Publication_PDFs/Academic_freedom_principles.pdf (Accessed on 09/07/2025).
  21. Faroldi, E. (2025), “Notes of a Professor”, in Faroldi, E. and Vettori, M.P. (Eds.), FORMAMENTIS. For a Didactics of Architecture, LetteraVentidue, Siracusa. ISBN: 9791256440238.
  22. Farren Bradley, J. (2000), “Learning in practice: A retreat, an opportunity or an imperative?”, in Nicol, D. and Pilling, S. (Eds.), Changing Architectural Education Towards a New Professionalism Taylor & Francis, London, pp. 179–190.
  23. Frayling, C. (1993), “Research in art and design”, Royal College of Art Research Papers, Vol. 1, n. 1, pp. 1–5. Available at: https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.29588.18565 (Accessed on 29/11/2024).
  24. Gutman, R. (1981), “Architettura: Gli sviluppi della professione”, Casabella, No. 474, Architettura. Quale Futuro?, pp. 28–32.
  25. Hensel, M.U. and Nilsson, F. (2019), The changing shape of architecture: Further cases of integrating research and design in practice, Routledge, New York. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315284095
  26. Hill, J. (2005), “Criticism by design: Drawing, wearing, weathering”, Journal of Architecture, Vol. 10, n. 3, pp. 285–293. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13602360500162386
  27. Iturbe, E. (2019), “Architecture And the Death of Carbon Modernity”, Log, n. 47, Overcoming Carbon Form, pp. 10-23.
  28. Joost, G., Bredies, K., Christensen, M., Conradi, F. and Unteidig, A. (2016), Design as Research. Positions, Arguments, Perspectives, Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel. ISBN: 9783035607406. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783035607383
  29. Kieran, S. and Timberlake, J. (2004), Refabricating Architecture: How Manufacturing Methodologies Are Poised to Transform Building Construction, McGraw-Hill, New York.
  30. Madelaine, C. (2024), “La création de réseaux dédiés à l’enseignement design-build: mise en place, objectifs, enjeux depuis 2012”, Les Cahiers de la recherche architecturale urbaine et paysagère. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4000/1334z. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/1334z
  31. Menoni, S. (2017), “Valutare la qualità della ricerca in urbanistica e non solo”, Planum, Vol. 35 n. 2. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/11311/1039692 (Accessed on 09/07/2025).
  32. Piątkowska, K. (2016), “Moving towards competence in teaching architecture: the relationship of research and design in academia”, Procedia Engineering, Vol. 161, pp. 1476-1481. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.08.613. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.08.613
  33. Rhowbotham, K. (1995), Form to Programme: Speculative Examination of Architecture Concepts in Design and Teaching Practice (1st ed.), Black Dog Publishing, London.
  34. Ricci, L. (Ed.) (2014), Sperimentare il progetto. Insegnamento e ricerca scientifica nelle scuole di architettura, INU Edizioni, Roma.
  35. Rossi, P. O. (2024) “Il progetto di architettura come prodotto di ricerca”, Proarch Intersezioni, 01, pp. 81-89.
  36. Salomon, D. (2011), “Experimental Cultures: On the ‘End’ of the Design Thesis and the Rise of the Research Studio”, Journal of Architectural Education, Vol. 65, n.1, pp. 33-44. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1531-314X.2011.01172.x (Accessed on 09/07/2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1531-314X.2011.01172.x
  37. Samuel, F. (2020), Social Value Toolkit for Architecture, Royal Institute of British Architects, London.
  38. Schiaffonati, F. (2011), “La finalità della progettazione nella formazione dell’architetto e dell’ingegnere”, TECHNE – Journal of Technology for Architecture and Environment, n. 2, Firenze University Press, Firenze.
  39. Semper, G. (1992), Lo stile nelle arti tecniche e tettoniche, o Estetica pratica: manuale per tecnici, artisti e amatori, Laterza, Roma.
  40. Stapleton, A.J. (2005), “Research as Design-Design as Research”, in Digital Games Research Conference 2005, Vancouver. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26503/dl.v2005i1.158
  41. Stricker, E. et al., (2022), Re-Use in Construction: A Compendium of Circular Architecture, Park Book. ISBN 13: 9783038602958.
  42. Tafuri, M. (1973), Progetto e utopia: Architettura e sviluppo capitalistico, Laterza, Roma-Bari.
  43. Till, J. (2005), What is Architectural Research. Architectural Research: Three Myths and One Model, Royal Institute of British Architects, London.
  44. Till, J. (2013), Architecture Depends, The MIT Press, Cambridge (MA). ISBN: 9780262518789.
  45. van Ouwerkerk, M. (2018), Design as Inquiry: Research-by-Design and the Means of Architectural Production, Delft University of Technology, Delft.
  46. Verbeke, J. (2013), “Research by Design: A Framework for Digital Design Research”, in Fraser, M. (Ed.), Design Research in Architecture: An Overview, Ashgate, Farnham.
  47. Viganò, P. (2010), I territori dell’urbanistica: il progetto come produttore di conoscenza, Officina, Roma.
  48. Voet, C., Schreurs, E. and Thomas, H. (Eds.) (2022), The Hybrid Practitioner, Leuven University Press, Leuven, pp. 9–18. Available at: https://doi.org/10.11116/9789461664556. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11116/9789461664556
  49. von Humboldt, W. (1809/1810), Über die innere und äußere Organisation der höheren wissenschaftlichen Anstalten in Berlin, Humboldt Universität, Berlino.