The design of our cities, streets and buildings have a significant impact on our lives- influencing behaviour and enhancing our environment. This Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between TODD Architects, an Architectural design firm of multi-sector expertise working in the public and private sectors, and Queen’s University Belfast addressed complex design issues in divided communities using expertise that is not held within standard practise.

The Built Environment is significantly important in divided communities, it is the platform for cross groups to connect, engage and interact. This KTP project offered the opportunity for KTP Associate, Nada Milivojevic, to apply academic knowledge in Architecture on a collaborative, multidisciplinary project between the company, Dr Clare Mullholland from the School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen’s and Prof Tony Gallagher from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s.

Dr Clare Mulholland commented on the success of the collaboration,

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership established a unique link to design industry that would not be possible through traditional academic case study research. The mutual benefits to all parties have enabled a successful continued working relationship, increasing the long term research and economic impact from the partnership, and created potential for the future.

The project was awarded the highest grade of ‘Outstanding’ by Innovate UK for its achievement in meeting KTP’s objectives, and exceeding all original expectations.

As a result of this project, an in-house design based toolkit was developed and a strategic framework for pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQ) was created for projects set in divided communities. This will allow TODD Architects to produce buildings using design informed by leading current and forward thinking theory and research into community projects involving shared space, and social and spatial engagement.

Jim Mulholland, Director of TODD Architects commented on the collaborative experience,

The KTP was a hugely rewarding experience for our business. It offered unique access to the expertise of academics, who ordinarily we would not have had the opportunity to engage with. The multidisciplinary experience motivated all partners to challenge and innovate.

This Knowledge Transfer Partnership has established TODDs as an architectural practise which is engaged in innovative research in the built environment.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) aim to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills within the UK knowledge base. This KTP project was co-funded by UKRI through Innovate UK, Invest Northern Ireland and Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

 

If you have an innovative idea for your business and would like to discuss whether a KTP could help take it forward, please get in touch with us at ktp@qub.ac.uk