该计划为考生提供了一个机会，利用设计作为方法学的关键组成部分来开发建筑学论文，探索他们自己选择和定义的已批准主题。尽管可以对项目的基于设计的部分进行绘制，建模，拍摄，建造等，但仍要求候选人将这项研究作为随附书面论文的组成部分。好的建筑采用整体设计方法，因此建筑物内体现的环境战略提出了巨大的挑战。他们需要调和通常相互矛盾的气候，建筑功能和用户期望的考虑，同时要注意与能源有关的碳排放。环境设计项目通常反映这些策略的综合性质，并探索自然通风，被动供暖和制冷，太阳能保护，织物蓄热，日光和太阳能策略以及建筑声学等领
While the design-based component of the project may be drawn, modelled, filmed, built, etc, candidates will be required to incorporate this research as an integral component of an accompanying written thesis. Good architecture embraces a holistic approach to design and as a consequence the environmental strategies embodied within buildings present considerable challenges. They need to reconcile the often conflicting considerations of climate, building function and user expectation, while at the same time being mindful of energy related carbon emissions. Projects in environmental design typically reflect the integrated nature of these strategies and explore areas such as natural ventilation, passive heating and cooling, solar protection, fabric thermal storage, daylight and solar strategies and architectural acoustics. These are intrinsically linked to the tectonics of architecture and considerable potential exists to explore the opportunities offered where these overlaps occur, eg the environmental performance of facades, natural ventilation of high rise buildings, etc.<br><br>Urban design is concerned with the city as a field of analysis and intervention. Research in urban design explores the complex relationship between spatial and design issues and social and economic urban processes. PhD topics are defined in conjunction with supervisors and can cover many different aspects of urban design, such as: History and Theory of Urban Design, Public Realm, Sustainable Cities, Urban Conservation & Revitalisation, Innovation Environments and Waterfront Regeneration.