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Deakin Mediated Intelligence in Design Lab
Innovating the built environment through design and technology
How our research innovates the built environment
The Deakin Mediated Intelligence in Design Lab is a practice-based and transdisciplinary research group based in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Deakin University, located in Geelong – UNESCO designated City of Design.
We operate at the intersection of the built environment, smart urban ecosystems, information technology, design innovation and the circular economy. We explore the potential of socio-technical, socio-ecological, socio-spatial and socio-economic systems to create more agile, sustainable and adaptive solutions for the built environment. Our work advocates the use of design thinking and system thinking as a methodology for knowledge production (in research and education), and transdisciplinary thinking as a strategy for cross-sector innovation (for industry).
Our research expertise
Our research pushes the boundaries of innovation in design, technology and urban ecosystems, tackling challenges in building sustainable, intelligent environments.
Human-building interaction
We enhance the relationship between people and buildings through human-centred technologies and spatial design that improve user experience and wellbeing.
Transdisciplinary design
Our research facilitates a shift from product-based design to systems-based innovation, emphasising disruptive potential across various sectors.
Design for circular cities
We apply circular economy principles to urban ecosystems, focusing on the necessary socio-technical, socio-ecological and socio-economic transitions for sustainable cities.
Digital placemaking
We integrate technology into urban spaces to create location-specific digital experiences that enhance the attractiveness and memorability of physical environments.
Innovate the built environment
Join us in shaping the future of design and technology. Whether you are a prospective HDR student, an academic seeking collaboration or a government or commercial stakeholder, we invite you to engage with the Deakin Mediated Intelligence in Design Lab.
We explore the potential of IT, intelligent data, computation and digital media to create more agile and adaptive solutions for socially, environmentally and economically viable built environments.
Director, Deakin Mediated Intelligence in Design Lab
Our researchers
The Lab unites a diverse team of experts advancing research at the intersection of design, technology and the built environment. Their work stems from curiosity and an ability to think outside the box.
Professor Tuba Kocaturk is director of the Deakin Mediated Intelligence in Design Lab and a professor of integral design at Deakin. Her research integrates intelligent technologies, digital media and AI into sustainable design, advocating for collaborative approaches that develop innovative tools and models impacting industry practices and community engagement.
Dr Maycon Sedrez is the deputy director of the Deakin Mediated Intelligence in Design Lab and a lecturer in architecture at Deakin. His research integrates sustainability, computational design and creative practice to generate impact across teaching, research, industry engagement and public culture.
Dr Gregory Pitts is an architect and academic whose work is driven by a deep interest in the intersection of design, technology and sustainability. He explores how digital tools, design processes and environmental strategies can shape the future of the built environment.
Professor Paul Sanders is a professor and the chair of architecture in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Deakin University. He is currently collaborating with leaders at Deakin to establish a groundbreaking new area of teaching, research and applied facilitation named Design for Circular Cities, focusing on systems thinking for sustainability in the built environment.
Dr Abdul-Manan Sadick is a senior lecturer in construction management at the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Deakin University. His research investigates building performance, indoor environmental quality, occupant wellbeing and sustainable construction practices.
Dr Angad Nayyar is an Associate Teaching and Research Fellow in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Deakin University. His research focuses on spatial user experience through spatial computing and human building interaction in healthcare, dementia empathy training and relaxation in VR.
Professor Sarah McGann focuses on applied interdisciplinary research, working with significant industry partnerships. Her central research objective is to investigate the impact of architectural design and lived experience on health, wellbeing, aged and palliative care across different building types.
Featured projects
The Deakin Science and Society Network Incubator scheme supports interdisciplinary collaborative research led by Deakin early- and mid-career academics to address significant social issues. Our projects achieve an impressive 4:1 return on investment, with researchers leveraging their work to secure external funding, inform policy and build partnerships across various sectors.
Public city space as virtual museum
This project safeguards Geelong’s disappearing intangible heritage by creating an immersive digital platform that integrates local stories into public spaces. The Geelong Digital Outdoor Museum (GDOM) allows users to explore the city’s hidden histories through interactive 3D scans, videos and archival materials, all accessible online.
Extended reality for the design of future cities
In partnership with the City of Greater Geelong, this project harnesses Extended Reality (XR) technologies to improve city planning and enhance public engagement. With augmented reality (AR) applications that make city data more accessible and interactive, this project fosters a more connected and informed community.
Contact us
Email the team
