Two outstanding academics from Lancaster School of Architecture, Dr Matt Pilling and Professor Des Fagan, have been awarded Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Design Secondments to advance innovative and valuable research projects.

Dr Pilling’s project, titled Connecting UK Makerspaces, aims to establish a robust network of makerspaces across the United Kingdom. The initiative focuses on empowering creative individuals by developing toolkits that provide practical guidance on setting up, managing, and expanding makerspaces to encourage knowledge exchange across a UK specific network of makerspaces to support the growth and long-term success of existing spaces and the development of new ones.

These resources will cover topics such as best practices for assessing community impact, accessing funding opportunities, and fostering collaboration with educational institutions. By engaging with existing makerspaces, Pilling seeks to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of these creative hubs, enabling them to support local makers in attaining their full potential and offering guidance on how to successfully collaborate with Further and Higher Education institutes.

Meanwhile, Professor Fagan’s project, AI for Designing Low Carbon Buildings: Accelerating Achievement of Net Zero 2050 in our Built Environment, develops artificial intelligence to address the climate emergency and generate alternative workflows for designers.

Buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions. Therefore, this research explores how AI-driven decision support systems can optimise the design, construction, and operation of buildings to minimise carbon emissions and reduce material waste. Working in collaboration with Grimshaw Architects, Fagan’s team will evaluate AI tools that guide designers towards low-carbon solutions, through real-world case studies. Focussing on both new builds and retrofits, the eco-focused project aims to revolutionise sustainable design practices and contribute to the UK’s ambitions to reach net-zero by 2050. It was publicly launched at a sold out industry summit held at the end of January at Morecambe’s Winter Gardens, a Grade II* listed building with strong community support as part of the town’s cultural landscape.

These exciting Design Secondments build on earlier awards, such as Professor Ana Costa’s ‘Accelerating Material Re-Use in Construction’ with architectural practice ORMS. Ana’s research led to the production of the Material Passports policy paper, that provides guidance on how to implement material passports and accelerate material reuse in construction. Continuing to attract successful grant funding signals the strength of Lancaster School of Architecture and its commitment to research with real world applications and impact. The series of projects also underscore the School’s global-local approach and ongoing commitment to tackling pressing societal challenges, from supporting grassroots creativity to combating the climate crisis, making a positive difference to people, places and spaces through considered collaboration.