Erasmus Mundus, 2013 – 2016
Prof. Dr. Philipp Misselwitz, Ursula Hartig, Nina Pawlicki, Simon Colwill

EDBKN: European DesignBuild Knowledge Network

The 'European DesignBuild Knowledge Network' promotes the implementation, distribution, and sustainability of the DesignBuild methodology.

The DesignBuild-Studio is a teaching and research model focusing on the realisation of building projects, from the initial design to the process of building by the students themselves. It is based on a specific building task and is carried out in an academic environment, engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration in fields such as architecture, landscape architecture, construction engineering and sociology.

DesignBuild combines the synergetic potentials of teaching, research and practice in ways that are still far from being exhausted.

DesignBuild-Studios address cultural and social challenges and tackle new experimental and technical solutions, involving the building industry and local craftsmanship. They are increasingly seeking cooperation with partners in developing and emerging countries, where 'low-cost','high efficiency' and sustainability considerations intertwine with cultural acceptance, aesthetics, appropriateness, participation and education issues.

The focus is placed on 'Architecture of Social Engagement' with goals to provide social support, gain professional knowledge, and to make students more sensitive to the social and cultural responsibility implications of their work.

The European dbXchange Network will stimulate sustainable, practice related and interdisciplinary knowledge-transfer, foster multinational cooperation and promote research related to DesignBuild activities. It aims to become a lively and growing association, representing the DesignBuild initiatives and providing a corporate identity aimed towards national and international institutions. It will promote the visibility of DesignBuild Studios, enhance the efficiency and quality of the execution of the projects and form a strong partner for the collaborating networks dbX, SEED and Live Projects Network. It will address stakeholders performing in the fields of research, non-academic and higher education, the building industry, clients, designers and planners, constructors and users.

In order to reach these goals, an interactive DesignBuild web platform is currently under development with the intention to become the most effective tool of the EDBKN. The beta version of the platform has recently been launched: www.dbXchange.eu. A pilot DesignBuild project has been developed in Egypt and monitored on the web platform to improve performance.

The outcomes and results of the research project will be disseminated on the designbuildXchange platform and in printed publications. 

The project is funded by European Union Erasmus Mundus Programme.