Towards a new earthly vernacular

This is one of several fully-funded PhD studentships available within the College of Arts, Technology and Environment (CATE) at UWE Bristol.

Although many doctoral projects are being advertised across the College, CATE will only fund up to eight studentships in total. Projects selected for funding will be determined based on applicant merit through the selection process outlined below.

This PhD project explores how contemporary architecture can develop a new “earthly vernacular” by drawing on the environmental, cultural, and material intelligence of earthen construction.

As earthen architecture re-emerges in response to climate change, resource scarcity, and the need for low carbon construction, it faces the challenge of meeting modern performance expectations while expanding its expressive and architectural potential. Despite growing interest, existing practice is often limited to historical replication or isolated experimental work, reflecting a broader lack of design frameworks that translate vernacular knowledge and material behaviour into mature, integrated, and scalable architectural languages. 

Current research rarely combines technical innovation, digital fabrication, and design language development, leaving a significant gap in understanding how earth can meaningfully shape contemporary architectural form. This project aims to address that gap by defining the principles, methodologies, and design processes that could underpin a new, contemporary earth based architectural vernacular. 

Using a practice based, design led methodology, the research will integrate material experimentation, prototyping, case studies, and collaboration with engineering and fabrication partners – including HG Matthews, Ryder Architecture, and Elliot Wood Engineers – to investigate the interplay between craft traditions, technical performance, and design expression. The project will generate new design frameworks, physical and digital prototypes, and critical insights for sustainable architectural practice, aiming to reposition earthen construction as a credible, expressive, and innovative component of contemporary building culture.

For more information about this studentship please contact Tavs Jorgensen at tavs.jorgensen@uwe.ac.uk.

The studentship is available from 1 October 2026 for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax-exempt stipend, which is currently £20,780 (2025/26) per annum.

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years.

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 2627-OCT-CATE05. 

Application deadline

The closing date for applications is 12 June 2026.

Apply now

Applicants shortlisted for this project will be invited to interview with a panel comprising members of the supervisory team and the School’s Postgraduate Research (PGR) Lead and/or a senior researcher from the School or College. Successful candidates will be offered a studentship following interview.

Supporting documentation

You will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and a recognised English language qualification is required.

You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application.

Interview dates

It is expected that interviews will take place in early July. If you have not heard from us by August, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.

Candidates who meet the entry requirements for doctoral study at UWE Bristol but are not awarded one of the funded studentships may be offered the opportunity to take-up a self-funded PhD place.