Design Technology: Digital Ability for Sustainable Architectural Practice

Project Name: Design Technology: Digital Ability for Architectural Practice

Project Leader: Alexander Gösta, RISE

Head of Research: Jonas Runberger, KTH School of Architecture

See below for current call for PhD candidate linked to the project.

Participating Organisations:

KTH School of Architecture

RISE

BAU

Blick Arkitektur

Brunnberg Forshed

Datatrees

ElinderSten

Equator

FOJAB

GAIA

Gatun Arkitekter

Kaminsky

Parametric solutions

Pragmatic AI Sweden

Ramboll

Reflex Arkitekter

Rundquist

Scharc

Tyréns

Urban Design

Project Period: 2025-06-01 – 2028-05-31

Funding: Formas / Smart Built Environment

External Link: Design Technology: Digital Capability for Sustainable Architectural Practice - Smart Built

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This project aims to strengthen architects' ability to use and develop design technologies for a more efficient, sustainable, and business-oriented architectural practice.

Climate change, resource scarcity, and increased demands for sustainability and efficiency drive transformation in the construction industry, where new methods and technologies are becoming crucial. Small and medium-sized architectural firms contribute with diversity and innovation capacity but often lack the resources to keep pace with rapid digitalisation. A lack of effective methods for collaboration and exchange on digital development limits the potential of new technologies, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. At the same time, evolving business models and industry structures do not always support innovation or long-term value creation.

Design technologies refer to tools and platforms deeply integrated into the design and planning process, enabling architects to develop new working methods in their daily practice, including BIM, computational design, and a wide range of AI-supported applications.

We seek to enhance architectural firms' digital development capability by streamlining workflows, exploring new business models, and improving conditions for digital innovation. The collaborative nature of the project will also foster synergies among partners during the project period to establish a long-term and growing network, which will strengthen the competitiveness of architectural firms and their ability to contribute to a more sustainable built environment with a reduced climate impact in the construction sector.

Throughout the project, we will conduct methodological development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and pilot studies with direct applications in the participating firms' ongoing work in, among other things, the reuse of materials, material optimisation, and generative design processes. Outcomes will include reusable digital workflows, a strategic framework for digital development, and examples of business models that promote innovation and sustainability in strengthened architectural practice. Knowledge exchange and dissemination will be done through seminars, scientific publications, and educational materials to enable the broad implementation of the project's goals.

The project is led by RISE in collaboration with the KTH School of Architecture. It involves 13 architectural firms, two engineering consultants, and three digital development companies.

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Current call for PhD candidate linked to the project

The KTH School of Architecture is currently recruiting a PhD candidate (full-time, 4 years) that will participate in the project part-time (30%, 2 years). Applicants are also expected to define their own topic within the subject Architectural Technology. Read more below, and for additional information see the KTH recruitment system .  

Doctoral student in Architectural Technology and Design Technologies

The PhD position addresses advanced design technologies, design-based research, and critical discourses attuned with the current and future practice of architecture. The research project will be conducted in response to societal and environmental concerns and follows a research-by-design approach, employing computational design development and digital and material prototyping from early design stages to fabrication, through speculative as well as practice-affiliated design projects. Participation in several research projects is included in the role, but an individual topic should be provided. There will be teaching opportunities within the 1st and 2nd cycle of the architectural program.

The candidate is expected to have a good understanding of architectural technology, strong design sensitivity, advanced skills in computational design, a keen interest in collaborative design processes, and an interest in shifting between design-based research and scholarly writing.

Architectural Technology in the context of the KTH School of Architecture entails an integrative view of different aspects at the intersection of technology and architectural thinking - from structures and materials to lifecycle perspectives and design technologies. The special focus on design technologies in this call includes the competence to develop digital workflows for analysis, design and digital fabrication through the use of computational design.

The individual topic should consider a future career within academia and/or practice, and could address (but is not limited to) the following:

• AI, Machine Learning and automation of design and fabrication processes.

• The development and application of advanced and sustainable digital fabrication methods such as additive manufacturing.

• The advancement of other domains within the Architectural Technology subject such as Structures, Materials, Building Technologies, Building Lifecycle, or Construction Processes.

• Speculative, Artistic and Critical Design practices in relation to Architectural Technology.

• Pedagogical innovation within the subject of Architectural Technology.  

Jonas Runberger is proposed to be the main supervisor for the doctoral student, with secondary supervisors set in alignment with the profile of the selected candidate. Decisions are made on admission.

The candidate must have general expertise in the field of computational design, and a documented design sensitivity presented in a portfolio.