Dr Ranald Lawrence MA MPhil PhD SFHEA

I believe architectural education has an influential role to play in implementing the changes it will be necessary to effect in our environment in order to make the transition from a globally destructive carbon economy to a clean, low energy future. At the same time it is important that we learn from buildings and ideas of the past that have responded successfully to transition and change in society.

Techniques and technologies should not become normative. The appropriate application of technology can improve the relationship between people and the environment, but inappropriate use of technology can do more harm than good. Technical studies must not be conducted discreetly or retrospectively. Analysis of the social, cultural, and environmental context is essential.

In practice I have worked on projects of a variety of scales from new build houses to university campuses. I have led Post Occupancy Evaluations examining energy use and comfort across a range of non-domestic buildings. I am interested in comparing the performance of passive, mixed-mode and active environmental design strategies across different ages and building types. My research critiques the use of standardised metrics and performance criteria that do not differentiate according to use patterns or context, promoting overly specialised building servicing regimes and automated controls in often inappropriate circumstances.

My personal approach to design is built on studying precedents that establish a relationship with the immediate natural environment. I believe that passive environmental strategies can be as effective as technological solutions in providing comfort, particularly when these are in tune with the local climate.