Introduction to Catholic University of Leuven

From the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, the Design- & Building Methodology group/CADLAB of the Department of Architecture, Urban Design and Planning  participates in DDSS.

The team’s research topics relate to the epistemological and design methodological study of the design and building process in architecture.

The research team of the CADLAB distinguishes itself from others in the domain by its strong connection with architectural theory and design practice: almost all team members have graduated as civil engineer-architect (Master of Science in Engineering: Architecture). This foundation in architectural sciences, construction and design allows critical and constructive research activity in a whole range of areas.
Due to the team’s position in the Faculty of Engineering and the K.U.Leuven, interdisciplinary collaboration is the rule rather than the exception.

The primary focus lies on the early stage of design, which intellectually and especially in architecture still represents the major intellectual challenge. The team is present at all important CAAD forums through participation and/or review. In the domain of CAAD, attention goes to exploring useful concepts for future developments in computer-aided architectural design. Since the team is embedded in design education and strongly connected with the European Association of Architectural Education, its scientific production includes design didactics as well. A few topics originate in the CADLAB’s involvement in the Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation.

Most research topics are investigated via externally financed projects (FWO, OT, IWT, OOI, OOF, VHM, …) and prepared or supported via Master’s theses civil engineer-architect. A number have resulted in a Ph.D.