TU Delft's Innovative PhD Program Targets Material Reuse in Architecture
Delft, Wednesday, 19 March 2025.
TU Delft’s new PhD project studies material reuse in Ahmedabad to transform circular building practices and enhance Europe-Global South knowledge exchange.
Innovative Research Approach
The groundbreaking project, supervised by Prof. Dr. Paul Chan from Delft, Prof. Dr. Gauri Bharat from Ahmedabad, and Dr. Eireen Schreurs from Delft, aims to shift the circular building discourse from purely technological considerations to a broader cultural perspective [1]. This initiative aligns with TU Delft’s ambitious goal of achieving a fully circular campus by 2030, where all processes, including building development and renovation, will operate without resource depletion or environmental degradation [2].
Practical Implementation and Impact
The research will involve extensive fieldwork in Ahmedabad, India, spanning approximately one year, focusing on developing a visual language that combines ethnographic and architectural analysis [1]. This approach complements TU Delft’s current circular initiatives, which have already demonstrated success through projects like the EWI faculty renovation, where nearly 90% of new furniture was sourced from previous owners [2]. The university’s commitment to circularity extends beyond theoretical research, as evidenced by their temporary education building Flux, which showcases practical applications of demountable and reused components [2].
Educational Integration and Future Prospects
The selected PhD candidate will join TU Delft’s Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, ranked among the top three architecture schools worldwide [3]. This research initiative builds upon the faculty’s recent successes in circular design innovation, as demonstrated through the Circularity in the Built Environment Graduation Awards 2023-2024, which have already sparked innovative solutions in sustainable construction practices [4]. The project is scheduled to commence on September 1, 2025, with the selection process concluding in June 2025 [1].