Navigating Complexity: Effective Management of Transdisciplinary Knowledge Integration in Built Environment Design Studio Projects

Abstract

Architects, urban planners, and policymakers face increasing pressure to address sustainability and resilience amidst shifting social dynamics and the pressing demands of climate change. Progress is often hindered by challenges such as climate change, socio-economic complexity, financial constraints, and varying stakeholder awareness. Effective knowledge integration between built environment professionals and stakeholders in design studios is essential for generating holistic solutions. However, existing research primarily emphasizes either individual tacit knowledge or organizational capabilities, neglecting the critical interplay between these dimensions. This thesis seeks to provide a unified framework for understanding knowledge integration in design studios and proposes a method for its evaluation.

This thesis investigates the integration of knowledge in design studios through a transdisciplinary framework. It begins with a literature review to establish a research framework for analysing the knowledge ecosystem in studio contexts. Using a case study approach, data from 28 students—comprising survey responses, audio recordings, and design sketches—were analyzed through thematic analysis and natural language processing. The findings informed the development of a resilience management-based assessment method, which was quantified and validated with the case data.

The research produced a framework for understanding knowledge integration in design studios, addressing cognitive differences among individuals that influence integration performance and design quality. Additionally, it developed an assessment method to ensure consistent production of sustainable design solutions and enhance resilience management. Unlike static models, this dynamic framework captures interactions between organizational structures and individual cognition, offering a novel process model for collaborative problem-solving based on the integration of diverse expertise. Notably, the study enables the systematic extraction and analysis of tacit knowledge within the design process, extending knowledge mapping to foster creativity.

This thesis has substantial implications for design studio research by integrating insights from environmental science, cognitive science, knowledge management, and design theory. The findings contribute to the development of effective knowledge management practices in design studios. For educational institutions utilizing design studios as pedagogical tools, the results provide strategies to optimize knowledge processes, addressing sustainability challenges in architectural design and enhancing the quality of teaching and learning.

Date of Award	22 Jan 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath
Supervisor	Kemi Adeyeye (Supervisor) & Stephen Emmitt (Supervisor)