Skip to content

You are here: Home / Doctoral programmes / Architectural, Civil and Urban Heritage and Refurbishment of Existing Buildings

Architectural, Civil and Urban Heritage and Refurbishment of Existing Buildings

The doctoral programme in Heritage is a joint doctoral programme.

Candidates meeting the admission requirements may apply to the programme through the channels established by each participating university. Candidates may register their doctoral theses at any of the three participating universities (the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, the University of Cantabria or the University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea) and be awarded one doctoral degree holder from the doctoral programme in Architectural, Civil and Urban Heritage and Refurbishment of Existing Buildings. The interuniversity nature of this programme enables mobility among candidates and interaction among the participating universities’ research groups.
Coordinating university:
University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (Department of Architecture, Applied Physics I Department)
Participating universities:
University of Cantabria, School of Civil Building Management and Technology (GTED)
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Department of Architectural Representation, ADR&M research group.


Other Universities

This is a joint doctoral programme.

Coordinating university:

University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
(Department of Architecture, Applied Physics I Department)

Participating universities:
University of Cantabria, School of Civil Building Management and Technology (GTED)
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, research group: Architecture, Design, Representation and Modelling ADR&M 2017 SGR 791

COORDINATOR

Redondo Dominguez, Ernest

CONTACT

Secretary’s Office for Doctoral Programmes in Architecture
Tel.: 934 011 875
Secretariadoctorat.utgab@upc.edu
https://etsab.upc.edu/es/estudios/doctorado

https://etsab.upc.edu/es/estudios/doctorado

General information

Access profile

The ideal or recommended candidate should, preferably, be in possession of one of the following official Spanish undergraduate or master’s degrees, as the contents of these programmes offer optimal preparation for this doctoral programme:

• Master’s degree in Comprehensive Management, Refurbishment and Restoration of Built Heritage and Existing Structures (UPV/EHU)
• Master’s degree in Architecture, Energy and the Environment (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Building Construction (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Urban Management and Valuation (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Architectural Technology (UPC)
• Master’s degree in the Theory and History of Architecture (UPC)
• Master’s degree in the Theory and Practice of Architectural Projects (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Urbanism (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering (UC)
• Master’s degree in Historical and Territorial Heritage (UC)
• Master’s degree in Construction Engineering (UC)
• Master’s degree in Integrity and Durability of Materials, Components and Structures (UC).
Other official Spanish master’s degrees and equivalent foreign degrees with similar focuses to those previously mentioned will also be considered.

Applicants meeting the admission requirements may apply to the programme via the channels established by each participating university.

Note that the desired background for applicants to the UPC and the ADR&M research group is decidedly technological, with an emphasis on ICT applications. The programme at the UPC focuses more on applications to heritage studies and less on refurbishment studies (which correspond more to the Architectural Construction Department or the GTED research group at the University of Cantabria), conservation and reuse (which correspond more to the Department of Architectural Design) or public spaces (which correspond more to the Department of Urbanism and Regional Planning).

The multi-disciplinary nature of cases requiring joint supervision must be duly substantiated.

Output profile

Doctoral candidates who complete a doctoral degree will have acquired the following competencies, which are needed to carry out quality research (Royal Decree 99/2011, of 28 January, which regulates official doctoral studies):

a) A systematic understanding of the field of study and a mastery of the research skills and methods related to the field.
b) An ability to conceive, design or create, put into practice and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
c) An ability to contribute to pushing back the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
d) A capacity for critical analysis and an ability to assess and summarise new and complex ideas.
e) An ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general as regards their fields of knowledge in the manner and languages that are typical of the international scientific community to which they belong.
f) An ability to foster scientific, technological, social, artistic and cultural progress in academic and professional contexts within a knowledge-based society.

The award of a doctoral degree must equip the graduate for work in a variety of settings, especially those requiring creativity and innovation. Doctoral graduates must have at least acquired the personal skills needed to:

a) Develop in contexts in which there is little specific information.
b) Find the key questions that must be answered to solve a complex problem.
c) Design, create, develop and undertake original, innovative projects in their field.
d) Work as part of a team and independently in an international or multidisciplinary context.
e) Integrate knowledge, deal with complexity and make judgements with limited information.
f) Offer criticism on and intellectually defend solutions.

Number of places

5

Duration of studies and dedication regime

Duration
The maximum period of study for full-time doctoral studies is three years, counted from the date of admission to the programme to the date of submission of the doctoral thesis. The academic committee of the doctoral programme may authorise a doctoral candidate to pursue doctoral studies on a part-time basis. In this case, the maximum period of study is five years, counting from the date of admission to the programme to the date of submission of the doctoral thesis. For calculating these periods, the date of admission is considered to be the date of the first enrolment for tutorials, and the date of submission the moment in which the Doctoral School officially deposits the doctoral thesis.

For full-time doctoral candidates, the minimum period of study is two years, counted from the date of an applicant's admission to the programme until the date on which the doctoral thesis is deposited; for part-time doctoral candidates it is four years. When there are justified grounds for doing so, and the thesis supervisor and academic tutor have given their authorisation, doctoral candidates may request that the academic committee of their doctoral programme exempt them from the minimum period of study requirement.

The calculation of periods of study will not include periods of absence due to illness, pregnancy or any other reason provided for in the regulations in force. Students who find themselves in any of these circumstances must notify the academic committee of the doctoral programme, which, where appropriate, must inform the Doctoral School. Doctoral candidates may also temporarily withdraw from the programme for up to one year, and this period may be extended for an additional year. Doctoral candidates who wish to interrupt their studies must submit a justified request to the academic committee of the doctoral programme, which will decide whether or not to approve the request. Each programme will establish conditions for readmission to doctoral studies.

Extension
If full-time doctoral candidates have not applied to deposit their thesis by the end of the three-year period of study, the academic committee of the programme may authorise an extension of up to one year. In exceptional circumstances, a further one-year extension may be granted, subject to the conditions established by the corresponding doctoral programme. In the case of part-time doctoral candidates, an extension of two years may be authorised. In both cases, in exceptional circumstances a further one-year extension may be granted by the Doctoral School's Standing Committee, upon the submission of a reasoned application by the academic committee of the doctoral programme.

Dismissal from the doctoral programme
A doctoral candidate may be dismissed from a doctoral programme for the following reasons:

  • The doctoral candidate submitting a justified application to withdraw from the programme.
  • The maximum period of study and of extensions thereof ending.
  • The doctoral candidate not having enrolled every academic year (unless he or she has been authorised to temporarily withdraw).
  • The doctoral candidate failing two consecutive assessments.
  • The doctoral candidate having disciplinary proceedings filed against him or her that rule that he or she must be dismissed from the UPC.

Dismissal from the programme implies that doctoral candidates cannot continue studying at the UPC and the closing of their academic record. This notwithstanding, they may apply to the academic committee of the programme for readmission and the committee must reevaluate them in accordance with the criteria established in the regulations.

Organization

COORDINATOR:
ACADEMIC COMMISSION OF THE PROGRAM:
Other Universities:

This is a joint doctoral programme.

Coordinating university:

University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
(Department of Architecture, Applied Physics I Department)

Participating universities:
University of Cantabria, School of Civil Building Management and Technology (GTED)
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, research group: Architecture, Design, Representation and Modelling ADR&M 2017 SGR 791


STRUCTURAL UNITS:
  • Departamento de Representación Arquitectónica (PROMOTORA)
SPECIFIC URL OF THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM:
https://etsab.upc.edu/es/estudios/doctorado

CONTACT:
Secretary’s Office for Doctoral Programmes in Architecture
Tel.: 934 011 875
Secretariadoctorat.utgab@upc.edu
https://etsab.upc.edu/es/estudios/doctorado

Agreements with other institutions

1. Title: Integrative Multidisciplinary People-centered Architectural Qualification & Training.
Type of activity: competitive project.
Funding body: European Commission
Funding body’s code: 586437-EPP-1-2017-1-AT-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP

2. Title: Ludificación para la Enseñanza del Diseño Urbano y la Integración en Ella de la Participación Ciudadana 3.0 (Gamification for Teaching Urban Design and Integrating Citizen Participation 3.0)
Type of activity: competitive project.
Acronym: GAME4CITY 3.0.
Funding body: Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.
Funding body’s code: BIA2016-77464-C2-1-R

3. Title: E-learning 3.0 en la Docencia de la Arquitectura (E-learning 3.0 in Teaching Architecture). Casos de Estudio de Investigación Educativa para un Futuro Inmediato (Research into Case Studies for the Immediate Future)
Type of activity: competitive project.
Abbreviated name: 3.0 E-learning Architecture.
Funding body: Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.
Funding body’s code: EDU2012-37247

4. Title: MOOC. De la Realidad al Proyecto (From Reality to the Project). Del Proyecto a la Realidad Aumentada (From the Project to Augmented Reality) (2014 MOOC 00019).
Type of activity: competitive project.
Funding body: Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (Agaur).
Funding body’s code: Doctoral Programme:

Access, admission and registration

Access profile

The ideal or recommended candidate should, preferably, be in possession of one of the following official Spanish undergraduate or master’s degrees, as the contents of these programmes offer optimal preparation for this doctoral programme:

• Master’s degree in Comprehensive Management, Refurbishment and Restoration of Built Heritage and Existing Structures (UPV/EHU)
• Master’s degree in Architecture, Energy and the Environment (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Building Construction (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Urban Management and Valuation (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Architectural Technology (UPC)
• Master’s degree in the Theory and History of Architecture (UPC)
• Master’s degree in the Theory and Practice of Architectural Projects (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Urbanism (UPC)
• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering (UC)
• Master’s degree in Historical and Territorial Heritage (UC)
• Master’s degree in Construction Engineering (UC)
• Master’s degree in Integrity and Durability of Materials, Components and Structures (UC).
Other official Spanish master’s degrees and equivalent foreign degrees with similar focuses to those previously mentioned will also be considered.

Applicants meeting the admission requirements may apply to the programme via the channels established by each participating university.

Note that the desired background for applicants to the UPC and the ADR&M research group is decidedly technological, with an emphasis on ICT applications. The programme at the UPC focuses more on applications to heritage studies and less on refurbishment studies (which correspond more to the Architectural Construction Department or the GTED research group at the University of Cantabria), conservation and reuse (which correspond more to the Department of Architectural Design) or public spaces (which correspond more to the Department of Urbanism and Regional Planning).

The multi-disciplinary nature of cases requiring joint supervision must be duly substantiated.

Access requirements

Applicants must hold a Spanish bachelor’s degree or equivalent and a Spanish master’s degree or equivalent, provided they have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on the two degrees (Royal Decree 43/2015, of 2 February)

In addition, the following may apply:

  • Holders of an official degree awarded by a university in Spain or any other country in the European Higher Education Area, pursuant to the provisions of Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, which establishes official university course regulations, who have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on official university degrees, of which at least 60 must be at the master's degree level.
  • Holders of an official Spanish bachelor’s degree comprising at least 300 credits, as provided for by EU regulations. Holder of degrees of this kind must complete bridging courses unless the curriculum of the bachelor’s degree in question included research training credits equivalent in value to those which would be earned on a master's degree.
  • Holders of an official university qualification who, having passed the entrance examination for specialised medical training, have completed at least two years of a training course leading to an official degree in a health-sciences specialisation.
  • Holders of a degree issued under a foreign education system. In these cases, homologation is not required, but the UPC must verify that the degree certifies a level of training equivalent to an official Spanish master's degree and qualifies the holder for admission to doctoral studies in the country where it was issued. Admission on this basis does not imply homologation of the foreign degree or its recognition for any purpose other than admission to doctoral studies.
  • Holders of a Spanish doctoral qualification issued under previous university regulations.
  • Note 1: Doctoral studies entrance regulations for holders of an undergraduate degree awarded before the introduction of the EHEA (CG 47/02 2014)

    Note 2: Governing Council Decision 64/2014, which approves the procedure and criteria for assessing the fulfilment of academic admission requirements for doctoral studies by holders of non-homologated foreign degrees (CG 25/03 2014)

Admission criteria and merits assessment

In accordance with that which is established in Article 7 of Royal Decree 99/2011, the previous experience of candidates wishing to register doctoral theses in this doctoral programme will be considered. This programme has a well-defined focus on refurbishment and restoration, but, at the same time, it covers a wide range of contents and specific subject matters. Taking this into consideration, criteria have been established to assess, using a defined scoring system for the merits indicated hereafter, and identify future candidates’ abilities and interests in the research carried out in this doctoral programme.

As can be seen, the total value of all of the sections adds up to 100 points. The minimum score required to be admitted to the doctoral programme is 50 points.

1. Academic transcript, including the master’s programme taken. Will be given up to 30 points. Undergraduate degrees will be given a maximum of 10 points and master’s degrees will be given a maximum of 20 points.

2. Concordance of the master’s programme taken. Will be given up to 20 points. Total similarity of subject matters in the master’s programme taken and in the master’s thesis with topics related to historic buildings or refurbishment will be given a maximum of 20 points. To provide some orientation, the maximum points will be given if applicants have completed the following official, research-focused master’s programmes:

• Master’s programme in Comprehensive Management and Refurbishment of Built Heritage (UPV/EHU)
• Maser’s programme in Architecture, Energy and the Environment (UPC)
• Master’s programme in Construction (UPC)
• Master’s programme in Urban Management and Valuation (UPC)
• Master’s programme in Landscape Architecture (UPC)
• Master’s programme in Architectural Technology (UPC)
• Master’s programme in Theory and History of Architecture (UPC)
• Master’s programme in the Theory and Practice of Architectural Projects (UPC)
• Master’s programme in Urbanism (UPC)
• Master’s programme in Civil Engineering (UC)
• Master’s programme in Historical and Territorial Heritage (UC)
• European master’s programme in Construction Engineering (UC)
• Master’s programme in Integrity and Durability of Materials, Components and Structures (UC)

3. Level of English. Will be given up to 10 points. Holding a certificate that ensures a B1 level or equivalent will be given 2 points. Holding a certificate that ensures a B2 level or equivalent will be given 6 points. Higher levels will be given the maximum number of points. The minimum required points in this area is 2 points.

4. Publications. Will be given up to 10 points. To provide some orientation, the maximum number of points will be awarded if applicants have two publications (with a maximum of 3 co-authors) in Q1 journals (JCR).


5. Knowledge of computing and information and communication technologies. Will be given up to 10 points. To provide some orientation, the maximum number of points will be awarded if applicants can demonstrate their proficiency using high-performance computing tools (AutoCAD, 3D Studio or similar), sending and receiving large volumes of data by telematic means and using smartphone applications.

6. Other languages. Will be given up to 10 points. To provide some orientation, the maximum number of points will be awarded if applicants can accredit holding at least a B2-level language certificate, or equivalent, for the German, French or Italian languages.

7. Other merits. Will be given up to 10 points. This section basically considers the merits applicants can demonstrate in any of the six aforementioned sections, as long as they are related to historic buildings or refurbishment. The aim here is to award candidates who have a notable mastery in the field.

Training complements

Applicants’ first enrolment may be completed after receiving their admission letter if it is received after the standard period for honours enrolment (more than 10), extraordinary thesis awards, maximum scores on the master’s thesis, master’s programmes taken at one of the top 50 universities at an international level, other similar postgraduate occurrences at foreign universities, extensive knowledge of high-performance computing tools, active participation in research projects, contracts and agreements, grants previously received in competitive calls or having a predoctoral grant awarded by any body or via a research project, contract or agreement.

Enrolment period for new doctoral students

No specific bridging courses are planned.

More information at the registration section for new doctoral students

Enrolment period

Applicants’ should first enrol after receiving their admission decision, if this occurs after the standard enrolment period.

More information at the general registration section

Monitoring and evaluation of the doctoral student

Procedure for the preparation and defense of the research plan

Doctoral candidates must submit a research plan, which will be included in their doctoral student activity report, before the end of the first year. The plan may be improved over the course of the doctoral degree. It must be endorsed by the tutor and the supervisor, and it must include the method that is to be followed and the aims of the research.

At least one of these annual assessments will include a public presentation and defence of the research plan and work done before a committee composed of three doctoral degree holders, which will be conducted in the manner determined by each academic committee. The examination committee awards a Pass or Fail mark. A Pass mark is a prerequisite for continuing on the doctoral programme. Doctoral candidates awarded a Fail mark must submit a new research plan for assessment by the academic committee of the doctoral programme within six months.

The committee assesses the research plan every year, in addition to all of the other activities in the doctoral student activity report. Doctoral candidates who are awarded two consecutive Fail marks for the research plan will be obliged to definitely withdraw from the programme.

If they change the subject of their thesis, they must submit a new research plan.

Procedure for assignment of tutor and thesis director

The academic committee of the doctoral programme assigns a thesis supervisor to each doctoral candidate when they are admitted or enrol for the first time, taking account of the thesis supervision commitment referred to in the admission decision.

The thesis supervisor will ensure that training activities carried out by the doctoral candidate are coherent and suitable, and that the topic of the candidate’s doctoral thesis will have an impact and make a novel contribution to knowledge in the relevant field. The thesis supervisor will also guide the doctoral candidate in planning the thesis and, if necessary, tailoring it to any other projects or activities undertaken. The thesis supervisor will generally be a UPC professor or researcher who holds a doctoral degree and has documented research experience. This includes PhD-holding staff at associated schools (as determined by the Governing Council) and UPC-affiliated research institutes (in accordance with corresponding collaboration and affiliation agreements). When thesis supervisors are UPC staff members, they also act as the doctoral candidate’s tutor.

PhD holders who do not meet these criteria (as a result of their contractual relationship or the nature of the institution to which they are attached) must be approved by the UPC Doctoral School's Standing Committee in order to participate in a doctoral programme as researchers with documented research experience.

The academic committee of the doctoral programme may approve the appointment of a PhD-holding expert who is not a UPC staff member as a candidate’s thesis supervisor. In such cases, the prior authorisation of the UPC Doctoral School's Standing Committee is required. A UPC staff member who holds a doctoral degree and has documented research experience must also be proposed to act as a co-supervisor, or as the doctoral candidate’s tutor if one has not been assigned.

A thesis supervisor may step down from this role if there are justified reasons (recognised as valid by the committee) for doing so. If this occurs, the academic committee of the doctoral programme will assign the doctoral candidate a new thesis supervisor.

Provided there are justified reasons for doing so, and after hearing any relevant input from the doctoral candidate, the academic committee of the doctoral programme may assign a new thesis supervisor at any time during the period of doctoral study.

If there are academic reasons for doing so (an interdisciplinary topic, joint or international programmes, etc.) and the academic committee of the programme gives its approval, an additional thesis supervisor may be assigned. Supervisors and co-supervisors have the same responsibilities and academic recognition.

The maximum number of supervisors of a doctoral thesis is two: a supervisor and a co-supervisor.

For theses carried out under a cotutelle agreement or as part of an Industrial Doctorate, if necessary and if the agreement foresees it this maximum number of supervisors may not apply. This notwithstanding, the maximum number of supervisors belonging to the UPC is two.

More information at the PhD theses section

Permanence

The academic committee of the programme may authorise an extension of up to one year for full-time doctoral candidates who have not applied to deposit their thesis by the end of the three-year period of study, in the terms outlined in the Academic Regulations for Doctoral Studies of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. In the case of part-time candidates, an extension of two years may be authorised. In both cases, in exceptional circumstances a further one-year extension may be granted by the Doctoral School's Standing Committee, upon the submission of a reasoned application by the academic committee of the doctoral programme.

A doctoral candidate may be dismissed from a doctoral programme for the following reasons:

  • The doctoral candidate submitting a justified application to withdraw from the programme.
  • The maximum period of study and of extensions thereof ending.
  • The doctoral candidate not having enrolled every academic year (unless he or she has been authorised to temporarily withdraw).
  • The doctoral candidate failing two consecutive assessments.
  • The doctoral candidate having disciplinary proceedings filed against him or her that rule that he or she must be dismissed from the UPC.

Dismissal from the programme implies that doctoral candidates cannot continue studying at the UPC and the closing of their academic record. This notwithstanding, they may apply to the academic committee of the programme for readmission and the committee must reevaluate them in accordance with the criteria established in the regulations.

International Mention

The doctoral degree certificate may include International Doctorate mention. In this case, the doctoral candidate must meet the following requirements:

a) During the period of study leading to the award of the doctoral degree, the doctoral candidate must have spent at least three months at a respected higher education institution or research centre outside Spain to complete courses or do research work. The stays and activities carried out must be endorsed by the thesis supervisor and authorised by the academic committee of the programme. The candidate must provide a certifying document issued by the person responsible for the research group of the body or bodies where the stay or activity was completed. This information will be added to the doctoral student’s activity report.
b) Part of the thesis (at least the summary and conclusions) must be written and presented in one of the languages commonly used for science communication in the relevant field of knowledge, which must not be an official language of Spain. This rule does not apply to stays and reports in Spanish or to experts from Spanish-speaking countries.
c) At least two PhD-holding experts belonging to a higher education institution or research centre outside Spain must have issued officially certified reports on the thesis.
d) The thesis examination committee must have included at least one PhD-holding expert from a higher education or research institution outside Spain who was not responsible for the candidate’s stay abroad (point a) above).
e) The thesis defence must have taken place on UPC premises or, in the case of joint programmes, at the location specified in the collaboration agreement.

Learning resources

Activity: Attending and presenting papers in national and international conferences.
Hours: 90.
This educational activity is optional, and will depend on the thesis supervisor’s recommendations and the availability of related funding.

Activity: Stays at other institutions.
Hours: 150.
Optional.

Activity: Thesis, work and research follow-up meetings.
Hours: 40.
This activity is compulsory.

Doctoral Theses

List of authorized thesis for defense

No hi ha registres per mostrar.

Last update: 29/03/2024 05:45:32.

List of lodged theses

  • ZHANG, ZHIHUI: Linking architecture and emotions: sensory dynamics and methodological innovations
    Author: ZHANG, ZHIHUI
    Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
    Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURAL, CIVIL AND URBAN HERITAGE AND REFURBISHMENT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS
    Department: (RA)
    Mode: Article-based thesis
    Deposit date: 25/03/2024
    Reading date: pending
    Reading time: pending
    Reading place: pending
    Thesis director: FORT MIR, JOSEP MARIA | GIMÉNEZ MATEU, LUIS
    Committee:
         PRESIDENT: FONSECA ESCUDERO, DAVID
         SECRETARI: NAVARRO DELGADO, ISIDRO
         VOCAL: VENTURA RODÀ, ORIOL
    Thesis abstract: This study delves deeply into the complex relationship between the field of architecture and human emotions, aiming to fill a significant gap in existing research. It extensively explores the profound impact of architectural design elements, such as lighting, colour schemes, and the integration of natural landscapes, on emotional responses. This research goes beyond traditional focuses on aesthetics and sustainability, striving to innovate methods for assessing the emotional impact of architectural spaces.In this study, we adopted a technological pathway from the laboratory to virtual reality, and finally to AI, combining theoretical analysis with practical experiments and case studies. The main research includes examining the effects of lighting and spatial dimension variations on people's emotions, as well as the application of facial emotion recognition technology in virtual reality architectural environments, exploring AI's perceptual capabilities as a tool in architectural design. These studies aim to narrow the gap between theoretical research and practical application, providing new perspectives and empirical data for the field of architectural design.The study concludes with a reflection on the methodologies used and their broader implications for architectural design practice. It offers specific strategies for architects and designers, aimed at creating spaces that resonate emotionally and add substantial value to human experiences. By prioritizing emotional factors in the design process, this research seeks to enhance overall quality of life and promote well-being in thoughtfully designed architectural spaces.

Last update: 29/03/2024 05:30:27.

List of defended theses by year

  • AL HELAL, ABDULHADI JAWAD I: Architectural identity for digital corporations. New architectural design strategies based on green values
    Author: AL HELAL, ABDULHADI JAWAD I
    Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
    Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURAL, CIVIL AND URBAN HERITAGE AND REFURBISHMENT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS
    Department: (RA)
    Mode: Normal
    Reading date: 06/02/2024
    Thesis director: ESCODA PASTOR, MARIA CARMEN | ESQUINAS DESSY, JESÚS

    Committee:
         PRESIDENT: AMADO LORENZO, ANTONIO GONZALO PEDRO
         SECRETARI: ZARAGOZA DE PEDRO, MARIA ISABEL
         VOCAL: FERRATER ARQUER, BORJA
    Thesis abstract: The thesis reveals new corporate and architectural identity relationship developments in the twenty-first century. The study unpacks that relationship by examining digital corporations' approach to exploiting architectural design to reflect their corporate identity. Corporate identity expresses a set of values that corporations attempt to engage to substantiate themselves. They do this using several means, one of which is through having an architectural identity. Some corporate facilities have characteristic features in their architectural design, such as ¿ but exclusive to ¿ forms, space, and materials. One of the aims of these characteristic features is to visually express the company's values visually, thereby giving them substance. This thesis proposes that the architectural identity of the five largest digital companies use design strategies to relate to green values such as sustainability, environmental responsibility, and nature.This thesis uses a case study format to examine the characteristic features of corporate buildings over time and recognises the values these corporations are attempting to project. Additionally, it studies the influences of this strategy.This study presents several case studies that exemplify how corporations have exploited architectural design to reflect their corporate identity, using a historical timeline. Before the Industrial Revolution, we argue that the first corporations were entities emerging from institutions like the monarchy (represented in Kings), the church (represented in clerics), and armies; these three powers were the main spheres of expression and identity in life during that period. These powers exploited architectural design in their early facilities, such as palaces, temples, and castles. These institutions gave substance to their values, expressing their social importance in materiality. Their core value was displaying power, which these early institutions were keen to communicate to the public, and they expressed these values using characteristic features in their buildings.After the Industrial Revolution, developments occurred in various spheres of life, which led to the emergence of new socially important powers. These new corporations included institutions and companies devoted to commerce, sports, art, and education. These corporations have identities and values, like the old entities before the Industrial Revolution. Therefore, these institutions also used various means to communicate their identity and values to the public. Like the pre-industrial powers, these new powers used architectural design to reflect their values through characteristic features in their facilities. In the post-industrial period, these features could include towers, which used the ongoing progress in construction techniques to express power and modernity.The case studies presented in the current century are organised in three phases. The first phase includes studies of various general categories of corporations, including cultural, educational, and commercial. In the second phase, we have selected digital corporations to study in more detail. This is done because digital corporations are now the wealthiest and most powerful institutions globally. Moreover, in the third phase of academic exploration, we have selected one digital corporation to study in greater detail.The rise of digital corporations in the last twenty-five years has been coined as the third industrial Revolution or the Digital Revolution. This study analysed cases from the five most prominent technology companies leading the digital Revolution: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta (previously Facebook), and Apple. These companies have become important community hubs and impacted many areas of life. Their corporate identities are shifting to keep up with modern values such as environmentalism, innovation, social work environments, and entertainment.

Last update: 29/03/2024 06:00:40.

Theses related publications

AUTHOR:GONZÁLEZ PÉREZ, FRANCISCO JAVIER
Title:La Seu Episcopal d¿Ègara. El projecte d¿un conjunt cristià al segle V
Reading date:19/07/2022
Director:GIMÉNEZ MATEU, LUIS
Co-director:SÁNCHEZ RIERA, ALBERTO
Mention:No mention
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
El orden de San Miguel de Egara
Universidad de Cantabria
Publication date: 24/05/2016
Book chapter

Los precedentes de las medidas de la catedral gótica de Girona
Instituto Juan de Herrera
Publication date: 2017
Book chapter

La representación de las construcciones bíblicas en la iconografía de la Antingüedad tardía = The representation of biblical constructions in the iconography of Late Antiquity
Gangemi Editore
Publication date: 14/09/2017
Book chapter

The music of Sant Fructuós' measures
Fco. Javier González; Millan, A.
Springer
Publication date: 04/01/2018
Book chapter

L’Arqueologia arquitectònica de Puig i Cadafalch a l’edifici funerari de Sant Pere de Terrassa
Departament de Cultura. Generalitat de Catalunya
Publication date: 2021
Book chapter

El orden de San Miguel de égara
6th Euro-American Congress on Construction Pathology, Rehabilitation Technology and Heritage Management
Presentation date: 24/05/2016
Presentation of work at congresses

The representation of biblical constructions in the iconography of Late Antiquity
39th International Conference of Representation Disciplines Teachers = 39º Convegno Internazionale dei Docenti delle Discipline della Rappresentazione
Presentation of work at congresses

Los precedentes de las medidas de la Catedral Gótica de Girona
Simposio Internacional Obra Congrua
Presentation date: 2017
Presentation of work at congresses

La forma de la arquitectura desde el año 1000 a.C. hasta finales del Siglo X
II Jornadas Doctorales Interuniversitarias
Presentation date: 11/2018
Presentation of work at congresses

AUTHOR:DÍEZ BLANCO, MARÍA TERESA
Title:El espacio a partir del plano: el Neoplasticismo en la arquitectura contemporánea
Reading date:07/02/2022
Director:MILLAN GOMEZ, ANTONIO
Mention:No mention
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Steven Holl: from the hinged space to the chromatic space
Springer
Publication date: 2017
Book chapter

Spatial analysis of Finnish architect Juha Leiviskä's churches and their link with the Stijl Dutch group
8th Euro-American Congress on Construction Pathology, Rehabilitation Technology and Heritage Management
Presentation date: 09/2020
Presentation of work at congresses

AUTHOR:BAGHERI MOGHADDAM, FAEZEH
Title:Urban Vertical Garden: Ways to Improve Living Conditions by Applying Green Façades in Buildings Refurbishment at Semi-Arid Climate
Reading date:24/01/2022
Director:FORT MIR, JOSEP MARIA
Co-director:NAVARRO DELGADO, ISIDRO
Mention:International Mention
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Building orientation in green facade performance and its positive effects on urban landscape case study: an urban block in Barcelona
Bagheri Moghaddam, F.; Fort, JM; Besne, A.; Navarro, I.; Redondo, E.
Sustainability (Switzerland), ISSN: 2071-1050 (JCR Impact Factor-2020: 3.251; Quartil: Q2)
Publication date: 08/11/2020
Journal article

Evaluation of thermal comfort performance of a vertical garden on a glazed façade and Its effect on building and urban scale, case study: an ofice building in Barcelona
Bagheri Moghaddam, F.; Fort, JM; Navarro, I.; Redondo, E.
Sustainability (Switzerland), ISSN: 2071-1050 (JCR Impact Factor-2021: 3.889; Quartil: Q2)
Publication date: 12/06/2021
Journal article

Understanding the performance of vertical gardens by using building simulation and its influences on urban landscape
Bagheri Moghaddam, F.; Navarro, I.; Redondo, E.; Fort, JM; Gimenez-Mateu, L.
ACE: architecture, city and environment = arquitectura, ciudad y entorno, ISSN: 1887-7052 (JCR Impact Factor-2021: 0.389; Quartil: Q1)
Publication date: 11/2021
Journal article

A literature review on thermal comfort performance of parametric façades
Yazdi Bahri, S.; Alier, M.; Sanchez Riera, A.; Bagheri Moghaddam, F.; Casany, M.J.; Llorens, A.
Energy reports, ISSN: 2352-4847 (JCR Impact Factor-2022: 5.2; Quartil: Q2)
Publication date: 10/2022
Journal article

AUTHOR:CHRISTODOULOU, MARILENA
Title:Developing a parametric system for pointe shoe customization
Reading date:17/12/2021
Director:DE SOLA-MORALES SERRA, PAU
Co-director:NAVARRO DELGADO, ISIDRO
Mention:No mention
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Landscape design methodology: pattern formation through the use of cellular automata
DLA Conference Bauhaus 2019
Presentation date: 23/05/2019
Presentation of work at congresses

The history of parametric design and Its applications in footwear design
ICDHS 12th International Conference on Design History and Design Studies
Presentation date: 17/10/2020
Presentation of work at congresses

Developing a parametric system for pointe shoe customization
23rd International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction
Presentation date: 24/07/2021
Presentation of work at congresses

Research projects

START DATEEND DATEACTIVITYFINANCING ENTITY
12/09/202328/06/2024Conveni de col.laboració per la formació per dissenyar i desenvolupar eines informàtiques interactives per ajudar al desenvolupament dels terapeutes ocupacionals a la seva feina.PESA 4040 SL
01/12/202230/11/2024Dispositivos inteligentes de control solar para la rehabilitación de envolventes a partir de residuosAGENCIA ESTATAL DE INVESTIGACION
15/11/202231/03/2024Contracte de col.laboració per la Redacció del Pla Director de restauració de la Torre de Bellesguard d’Antoni Gaudí, Edifici principal,Castell i muralla (Bellesguard 20); Exteririors i jardí;...GRUPO CATALANA OCCIDENTE ACTIVOS IN
30/09/202230/06/2023Contracte de formació en Realitat Virtual i Augmentada en el Màster de Música i So per a experiències de l'Entreteniment i del grau en Fisioteràpia InternacionalPESA 4040 SL
01/09/202201/09/2023Aplicacions de la recerca teoricopràctica en artFundació Bosch i Gimpera
17/05/202216/05/2023 Modelos tiflológicos Virtuales. Cátedras de Tecnologías AccesiblesFundación Universia
01/04/202230/04/2023Innovative Eco-construction System based on Interlocking Modular Insulation Wood and Cork-based PanelsCommission of European Communities
10/01/202214/06/2022Formació en Realitat Virtual i Augmentada en el Màster de Música i So per a Experiències de l’Entreteniment i del grau en Fisioteràpia InternacionalPESA 4040 SL
01/09/202131/08/2025Remansos urbanos en barrios vulnerablesAGENCIA ESTATAL DE INVESTIGACION
14/05/202113/11/2022Barcelona Ciutat FràgilAGAUR. Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca
01/10/202031/07/2021Realització de 7 conferències i 7 workshops telemàtics impartits per diferents professors de l'ETSAB per a l'empresa pública BIAD de Beijing, a través de l'empresa Diagonal China.DIAGONAL ARCHITECTURE DESIGN AND CO
01/03/202028/02/2021ARQUITECTURAS PORTÁTILES: VISERAS DE PROTECCION FACIAL FRENTE AL COVID19Centre de Cooperació per al Desenvolupament , UPC
15/12/201914/12/2023Realització del Projecte R+D consistents en la documentació geomètrica i històrico-arqueològica exhaustiva de les construccions existents a la Torre de Bellesguard d'Antoni Gaudí .GRUPO CATALANA OCCIDENTE ACTIVOS IN
30/10/201917/04/2024Contracte R+D de desenvolupament de la investigació referent a les campanes hiperboloïdals de la façana del Naixement de la Sagrada Família amb el resultat de la fosa de tres prototips de campanes.JUNTA CONSTRUCTORA DEL TEMPLE EXPIA
03/06/201903/06/2019col·laboració al Senseable City Laboratory del Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusets Institute of Technology
01/01/201930/09/2022Indicadores socio-espaciales para la mejora del parque habitacional en zonas vulnerables. Criterios de actuación en los casos de las Áreas Metropolitanas de Barcelona y BilbaoAGENCIA ESTATAL DE INVESTIGACION

Teaching staff and research groups

Research groups

UPC groups:External groups:
University of Cantabria, School of Civil Building Management and Technology (GTED)
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, research group: Architecture, Design, Representation and Modelling ADR&M 2017 SGR 791

Research projects

START DATEEND DATEACTIVITYFINANCING ENTITY
12/09/202328/06/2024Conveni de col.laboració per la formació per dissenyar i desenvolupar eines informàtiques interactives per ajudar al desenvolupament dels terapeutes ocupacionals a la seva feina.PESA 4040 SL
01/12/202230/11/2024Dispositivos inteligentes de control solar para la rehabilitación de envolventes a partir de residuosAGENCIA ESTATAL DE INVESTIGACION
15/11/202231/03/2024Contracte de col.laboració per la Redacció del Pla Director de restauració de la Torre de Bellesguard d’Antoni Gaudí, Edifici principal,Castell i muralla (Bellesguard 20); Exteririors i jardí;...GRUPO CATALANA OCCIDENTE ACTIVOS IN
30/09/202230/06/2023Contracte de formació en Realitat Virtual i Augmentada en el Màster de Música i So per a experiències de l'Entreteniment i del grau en Fisioteràpia InternacionalPESA 4040 SL
01/09/202201/09/2023Aplicacions de la recerca teoricopràctica en artFundació Bosch i Gimpera
17/05/202216/05/2023 Modelos tiflológicos Virtuales. Cátedras de Tecnologías AccesiblesFundación Universia
01/04/202230/04/2023Innovative Eco-construction System based on Interlocking Modular Insulation Wood and Cork-based PanelsCommission of European Communities
10/01/202214/06/2022Formació en Realitat Virtual i Augmentada en el Màster de Música i So per a Experiències de l’Entreteniment i del grau en Fisioteràpia InternacionalPESA 4040 SL
01/09/202131/08/2025Remansos urbanos en barrios vulnerablesAGENCIA ESTATAL DE INVESTIGACION
14/05/202113/11/2022Barcelona Ciutat FràgilAGAUR. Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca
01/10/202031/07/2021Realització de 7 conferències i 7 workshops telemàtics impartits per diferents professors de l'ETSAB per a l'empresa pública BIAD de Beijing, a través de l'empresa Diagonal China.DIAGONAL ARCHITECTURE DESIGN AND CO
01/03/202028/02/2021ARQUITECTURAS PORTÁTILES: VISERAS DE PROTECCION FACIAL FRENTE AL COVID19Centre de Cooperació per al Desenvolupament , UPC
15/12/201914/12/2023Realització del Projecte R+D consistents en la documentació geomètrica i històrico-arqueològica exhaustiva de les construccions existents a la Torre de Bellesguard d'Antoni Gaudí .GRUPO CATALANA OCCIDENTE ACTIVOS IN
30/10/201917/04/2024Contracte R+D de desenvolupament de la investigació referent a les campanes hiperboloïdals de la façana del Naixement de la Sagrada Família amb el resultat de la fosa de tres prototips de campanes.JUNTA CONSTRUCTORA DEL TEMPLE EXPIA
03/06/201903/06/2019col·laboració al Senseable City Laboratory del Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusets Institute of Technology
01/01/201930/09/2022Indicadores socio-espaciales para la mejora del parque habitacional en zonas vulnerables. Criterios de actuación en los casos de las Áreas Metropolitanas de Barcelona y BilbaoAGENCIA ESTATAL DE INVESTIGACION

Quality

The Validation, Monitoring, Modification and Accreditation Framework (VSMA Framework) for official degrees ties the quality assurance processes (validation, monitoring, modification and accreditation) carried out over the lifetime of a course to two objectives—the goal of establishing coherent links between these processes, and that of achieving greater efficiency in their management—all with the overarching aim of improving programmes.

Validation

        Registry of Universities, Centers and Degrees (RUCT)

        Quality section on the home university website

        Indicators

        Up