Research Assistant: Place-Based Sustainable Building on Lolland-Falster

Introduction to the topic:

The Lolland-Falster region – located just 1–2 hours from Copenhagen- represents a unique ecosystem of stakeholders engaged in the bioeconomy, with initiatives such as Bio-Economy Hotspot Guldborgsund. The region is rapidly becoming a national frontrunner in circular economy strategies and biomaterial innovation, offering strong case study potential for the U.S. and other countries.

The aim of this research project is to apply Research by Design and Practice-Led Research methodologies to investigate architectural case studies in Lolland-Falster. Research Assistants (RAs) will explore selected building cases through multiple lenses—researching the site, stakeholders, and the collaborative process behind the project. They will analyze materials and construction processes, the heritage of the building, and evaluate future design proposals. The cases may incorporate reused or bio-based materials.

RAs will also conduct interviews with key figures such as municipal representatives, investors, and architects involved in new constructions and architectural transformation projects.

Project details:

Depending on the project stage, RAs may contribute to material-driven design research guided by Studio Kathryn Larsen, which explores emerging construction technologies for future-built projects. The studio is known for its innovative work with eelgrass and algae in architecture design. It is the sister company to ReefCircular, which focuses on nature restoration using materials like shell bioconcrete and clay.

This project is particularly well-suited for architecture students with experience in graphic design. With guidance from the research mentor, RAs will apply their 2D visual communication skills to the heritage analysis of architectural case studies—particularly focusing on ornamental detailing in older buildings.

As a group, RAs will be focusing on one building case per term. To accommodate potential travel days, students may be required to keep some weekdays free of DIS courses.

Research outputs will emphasize visual storytelling—showing rather than telling the research. RAs will produce a visual report or video to share their findings. Outputs will be disseminated publicly through Studio Kathryn Larsen’s social media and open-source digital platforms. A self-published hard-copy report may also be produced.

Selected relevant publications:

Larsen K.E. (2022). [Seaweed] Farm to Table: Designing with shells, seagrass and seaweed for the Dutch building industry. TU Delft Repository. PDF is available for view at this website.
Karana E., Barati B., Rognoli V., Zeeuw van der Laan A. (2015). Material Driven Design (MDD): A method to design for material experiences. International Journal of Design [Online], 9(2), 35–54. PDF is available for view at at this website.
Edith Cowan University Library (n.d.). Practice-based & practice-led research. Research Methodologies for the Creative Arts & Humanities. Retrieved from https://ecu.au.libguides.com/research-methodologies-creative-arts-humanities/practice-based-and-practice-led-research

Recommended experience

Architecture major: Must be able to use rhino or other similar 3d modeling programs and be comfortable drafting in 2d. Students are expected to be able to develop a graphic language over the course of the project for communicating their research.

Other majors: Must be able to utilize Microsoft office and the adobe software package proficiently. Students are expected to be able to develop a graphic language over the course of the project for communicating the research.

Additional application required

You must submit an additional application through the Online Registration portal.

All application materials must be submitted on the following dates by midnight in your time zone:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your application through Student Registration.

Syllabus

The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be posted here as soon as it is available.

Recommended course

You might also consider taking the course Place Based Sustainable Building, taught by research mentor Kathryn Larsen, as the course reinforces many of the research methodologies and critical thinking approaches used in the project.

Faculty

Kathryn Larsen

Faculty

Bachelors (Architectural Technology and Construction Management, KEA, 2019). Msc. (Architecture, TU Delft, 2022). CEO, Studio Kathryn Larsen, 2019-Present. With DIS since January 2024.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic:

Project details:

Recommended experience

Additional application required

Syllabus

The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be posted here as soon as it is available.

Recommended course

Faculty

Kathryn Larsen

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?