Research Excellence Award

Sponsored by: ADP Sponsor Pool

School: School of Architecture, Design and Planning

Awarded for outstanding research achievement by a Bachelor or Master student, demonstrating innovation, academic rigour, and meaningful contribution to the built environment.

An exploration of the psychosocial factors that influence climate action agency in architecture and allied fields

by  Hannah Holmen

Master of Architecture thesis project investigating the psychosocial influences shaping architects’ agency in taking climate action, focusing on the emotional and social factors that enable or constrain climate-responsive practice.

Informal Housing in South East Queensland

by  Lauren Hall

My poster summarises my honours thesis conducted for PLAN4009, on the topic of informal housing in SEQ. There has not yet been any research on informality conducted in this region, and only four other studies in Australia (all in Sydney). My aim for this thesis was therefore to gain insight into this underdiscussed field and provide recommendations for future policy.

Kindling: Igniting Reconciliation Across Industry

by  Lauren Jauncey

Kindling is a professional toolkit that empowers Australian businesses to engage meaningfully with reconciliation initiatives. Developed as a multi-touchpoint intervention, Kindling guides leaders and their teams through structured processes of education, reflection, and action, facilitating inclusive and informed decision-making, with the potential to shape a more equal and equitable Australia.

Optimising Ecological Performance in High-Density Social Housing Using the BCC Green Factor Tool

by  Lisa Sabu

This project investigates how Brisbane City Council’s Green Factor Tool can be strategically applied to enhance the ecological performance of high-density social housing. Using the Curwen Terrace development as a case study, the research models green façades, roofs, and rain gardens to evaluate their environmental impact and feasibility

Rediscovering the 1959 Birrell Toowong Pool

by  Hal Chandler

This project proves that the Toowong Pool was eligible for listing on the Queensland Heritage Register via the completion of a Cultural Heritage Significance Assessment (CHSA), and should never have been demolished. As a way of preserving the Pool's memory, it has been digitally modelled (based on archive research and interviews) so its legacy can continue in the digital realm.

The effects of urban densification and climate change on residential urban water

by  Sophie Barrett

This research shows how Brisbane’s medium-density infill development increases stormwater runoff and reduces infiltration, with climate change worsening these effects. Using SUWMBA modelling, it finds that strategies like permeable pavements and added greenery help but weaken under future climates, highlighting the need for more water-sensitive planning.

Womens Safety Experiences in the James Street Precinct

by  Alexandra Rooney

The aim of this research is to understand how the built form and time of day shape the perceptions of safety of the women working in the precincts' perceptions of safety whilst commuting at night. The research indicates that usage of the precinct by women is greater reliant on activation of the built form than time of day.