The Department of Architecture is part of the Science and Technology Group at the KU leuven and coordinates the research on Interior Architecture, Architecture and Urbanism and Spatial Planning at the Faculty of Architecture Campus Sint-Lucas Brussels and Ghent and the Faculty of Engineering Science (Leuven). The Department enjoys an international reputation and currently counts more than 150 (international) PhD students. The doctoral researcher will be part of the research cell ARCHITECTURE & WICKED MATTERS within the research group Material Narratives (www.materialnarratives.eu).
The research is led by Prof. Nel Janssens (supervisor KU Leuven, Faculty of Architecture) and Dr. Johan Liekens (co-supervisor KU Leuven, Faculty of Architecture). It connects to ongoing research lines that interrogates how, in an era of ecological crises, reconceptualizing our engagements as (interior-)architects with "more-than-human", "vibrant" matters may re-figure (interior-) architecture as a practice and a substance. The research hence situates (interior-)architecture in the turn from an industrial to an ecological, and from an anthropocentrist to a post-humanist and new-materialist era.
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Project
The research addresses the challenge to adopt post humanist and new materialist concepts in interior architectural design. The focus is on the interrogation of principles as “nature-inclusivity”, “rewilding”, “more-than-human” … and how to extend such principles and craft novel cultural patterns of habitation with so-called “wicked” (in-)(co-)habitant matters. This involves the refiguring of our way of designing to re-valorize and re-interiorize vital matters as soil, air, and water on and in which (interior-)architecture is founded, as well as matters now valorized as “waste” and “dirt”.
On a concrete level, through Research-by-Design framed in literature- and case-study, the research aims at developing a hybrid “gardenbuilding” typology —a novel mixture of garden and building. This notion we relate to Haraway’s “natureculture”. This “gardenbuilding” we situate in urbanity, intending to seek connection with the movement of ‘urban rewilding’. The ecological emphasis of the research is on cultural levels (habitation) rather than on mere technological levels.
Drawing on our previous research, the research is propelled by two specific architectural elements, affiliated with specific research lines, situating it on an interior-urban spectrum. On an interior-architectural level, affiliated with the research line “26 toilets to Re-figure Habitation,” it is propelled by the “wicked,” under-investigated architectural element toilet. Essential to —sanitizing— urban habitation, it is an architecturally neglected space typifying the culturally defined urge to externalize what we consider waste. Research explorations deal with what happens if we take toilets off-grid, and engage with more-than-human matter on-site. What novel (interior/architectural/urban) spatial organizations would this generate; what novel material practices of gardening, taking care, and bringing into culture would this instill? On an urban-architectural level, affiliated with research line “Urban Corners,” the research takes as its site selected urban corner houses, ecologically normative for their era. It considers these corners as late-anthropocentrist ruins, inviting for re-figurations. The opting for urban corners is strategic, as these have a strong display potential within urban fabrics, able to pilot change within current, problematic patterns of habitation.
Research foci:
- “natureculture” — how to rewild by (interior-)architecture? how to hybridize habitation?
- “urban corners”— how to activate the public narrating potential of the typology?
- “element toilet”— how to engage with, make room for, and take care of waste as vibrant matter?
In line with carrying out the research project in close collaboration with your supervisors, your job will consist of:
- following the doctoral training program at the Arenberg Doctoral School of the KU Leuven and at the Faculty of Architecture;
- publishing your research in academic journals and books, contributing to ADRO (Artistic and Design Related Research Output), presenting at international seminars and conferences, while aiming to disseminate your work also on non-academic platforms;
- making a clearly defined contribution to teaching at the Faculty;
- engaging in general services for the Sint-Lucas Campus (including for example surveillance of exams, assisting the organization of events, etc.);
- organizing activities related to your research topic (e.g. international research meetings, conferences, exhibitions);
- being an active member of the research group Material Narratives (presenting and sharing ideas and work,…);
- participating in the writing of additional funding applications related to your research.
Profile
We are looking for an outstanding candidate who:
- has obtained a master’s degree in Interior Architecture (preferably) or Architecture (with a demonstrable interest in Interior);
- has distinguished yourself during your studies, academic career or professional life; and can demonstrate this by means of distinctions, achievement, awards, or endorsements;
- is able to show proof of excellent writing and graphic/visual skills by means of a portfolio and article, book chapter, or master’s thesis;
- has relevant or promising provisional experience in (design driven) research;
- is enthusiast and skilled to publicly present your work and engage in discussions with peers;
- is proactive, and enjoy taking initiative;
- is eager to work with a high level of autonomy;
- is impelled to contributing to team work as well as able to work individually;
- has a good command of English;
- you live in, or are willing to move to Belgium for the duration of the position.
Offer
We offer an appointment as a full-time PhD researcher (PhD Scholarship, net wage equals scale 43) for the duration of 1 year, extendable to a maximum of 4 years in total (depending on positive interim evaluations and on available funding). You will be based at the Faculty of Architecture, campus Sint-Lucas Ghent. The starting date of the position is envisioned in October 2024.
Within this position, you will be part of KU Leuven, a university where 13,000 colleagues together make top-level teaching and research possible. This includes an exciting work environment that offers opportunities to build your experience and develop your skills. In addition, various initiatives are taken, locally and centrally, to ensure the well-being and satisfaction of colleagues in this work environment.
Scale 43
Working conditions
Interested?
For more information, please contact prof. Nel Janssens (nel.janssens@kuleuven.be) or dr. Johan Liekens (jo.liekens@kuleuven.be). Candidates are invited to apply online before June 12th, 2024 at 00.59h Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in the week of June 24th, 2024 in Ghent or, if necessary, online.
Please include in your application file (in English):
- a cover letter with a clear motivation (2 pages max);
- a concise research statement with your tentative vision on the research project, describing your proposed research focus, theoretical and design perspective, potential urban corner houses as case-study/studies in Ghent, and methodological approach. (2 pages max)
- A CV;
- A portfolio and/or sample of relevant research or work experience, preferably showing your writing and drawing (or other visual) skills (a paper, article, bookchapter, thesis, professional project, …).
- The names, function and contact information of two referees whom we might contact during the selection process.
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