Transdisciplinary Knowledge Production in Architecture and Urbanism : Towards Hybrid Modes of Inquiry

The volume addresses the hybridisation of knowledge production in space-related research. In contrast with interdisciplinary knowledge, which is primarily located in scholarly environments, transdisciplinary knowledge production entails a fusion of academic and non-academic knowledge, theory and practice, discipline and profession. Architecture (and urbanism), operating as both a discipline and a profession, seems to form a particularly receptive ground for transdisciplinary research. However, this specificity has not yet been developed into a full-fledged, unique mode of knowledge production.

In order to dedicate specific attention to transdisciplinary knowledge production, this book aims to explore (new) hybrid modes of inquiry that allow many of architecture’s longstanding schisms to be overcome: such as between theory/history and practice, critical theory and projective design, the adoption of an external viewpoint and a view-from-within (often under the guise of bottom-up vs. top-down). It therefore offers the reader a mix of contributions that elaborate on knowledge production that is situated in the (architectural and urban) profession or practice, and on practice-based approaches in theory.

The volume addresses the hybridisation of knowledge production in space-related research. In contrast with interdisciplinary knowledge, which is primarily located in scholarly environments, transdisciplinary knowledge production entails a fusion of academic and non-academic knowledge, theory and practice, discipline and profession. Architecture (and urbanism), operating as both a discipline and a profession, seems to form a particularly receptive ground for transdisciplinary research. However, this specificity has not yet been developed into a full-fledged, unique mode of knowledge production.

In order to dedicate specific attention to transdisciplinary knowledge production, this book aims to explore (new) hybrid modes of inquiry that allow many of architecture’s longstanding schisms to be overcome: such as between theory/history and practice, critical theory and projective design, the adoption of an external viewpoint and a view-from-within (often under the guise of bottom-up vs. top-down). It therefore offers the reader a mix of contributions that elaborate on knowledge production that is situated in the (architectural and urban) profession or practice, and on practice-based approaches in theory.

Nel Janssens is an architect-spatial planner, teaching at the Sint-Lucas Department of Architecture Brussels and Ghent. She worked as an architect at T.O.P.office/Luc Deleu in Antwerp. Currently she conducts doctoral research at Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg and the Sint-Lucas School of Architecture, Brussels/Ghent. The topic of her thesis is ‘Projective Research in Urbanism’.

Isabelle Doucet is a Lecturer in Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Manchester, School of Environment and Development (SED) and the Manchester Architecture Research Centre (MARC). She received her PhD from the Delft University of Technology, Architecture Theory, with Prof. Arie Graafland. Her recent publications include, co-edited with Kenny Cupers, the fourth issue of Footprint Journal, on the theme ‘Agency in Architecture: Reframing Criticality in Theory and Practice?’