Celebrating 15 years of Industrial PhDs: how research drives our work

Kickstarted in the late 2000s, the industrial PhD program is now integral to our way of work. By combining hands-on research with industry support our candidates go beyond theoretical exploration and address real-world challenges. This flexibility ensures their work is not only innovative but also makes a meaningful, tangible impact. To learn more, we spoke with our current candidates—Katie, Magnus, Gulin, Jesse, and Nitsan—about their research, passions, and what drew them to Henning Larsen.

Can you give us the elevator pitch of your Ph.D. research, what it aims to achieve and what stage you’re currently at in your research?

Katie: “I am developing a framework that redefines how we design with, and for, 3D concrete printing (3DCP). Beyond focusing solely on material optimization, I’m considering a wider range of sustainability factors – from upfront carbon impacts and circularity, to boosting the performance of printed elements. By combining analytical insights with hands-on experimentation, I’m critically evaluating 3DCP’s sustainability potential. This approach drives my work at Henning Larsen, where I design and fabricate prototype architectural elements, seamlessly integrating 3DCP into a forward-thinking, hybrid construction strategy.”

Magnus: “I am currently a year into my industrial PhD, titled ‘The Tectonics of Sustainable Building Transformation - Methods for Holistic Circular Adaptive Reuse of Existing Buildings.’  In the coming years, the core of my research will revolve around investigating the methods of adaptive reuse, and understanding how the industry can develop and scale these approaches to meet future environmental needs while maintaining architectural and cultural heritage. To do so, a mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods will guide the understanding of how to integrate these two, once far-removed aspects, together.”

Gulin: “Did you know that heat-related deaths in Europe have risen by approximately 30% over the past two decades? This increase is even more pronounced in least developed and underdeveloped countries. I firmly believe that we, as designers, can play a crucial role through our design choices. Therefore, my PhD research focuses on the urban heat island effect, seeking to develop strategies and guidelines to address this issue. I am currently in the data collection and analysis phase, where I will evaluate various urban design interventions, including the impact of stormwater management, and their effectiveness in mitigating heat.  Ultimately, my goal is to produce practical design guidelines that practitioners can use to create more resilient cities, thereby enhancing the quality of life for urban residents.”

Jesse: “How do we improve project planning for biodiversity? My PhD – in collaboration with University of Copenhagen - looks at the ways open-source geospatial data can be used to help designers and decision-makers organize our communities to not just be green but include a tapestry of local flora and fauna. The project integrates largescale data analysis with a landscape ecological framework to improve the potential of an individual landscape to support local biota. It explores the integration of biodiversity within human landscapes, and how the places where we live can be better places for our nonhuman neighbors to live as well.”

Nitsan: “My industrial PhD investigates regenerative urban design and artificial intelligence, divided into three parts. I’ve started by examining the concept of ‘regenerative urban design’ and defining how it differs from the conventional approach to sustainability. This will be followed by a deeper evaluation of urban analysis data, assessing how it’s effectively used – identifying what works, and what doesn’t. The final stage will aim to develop a data framework that applies regenerative design principles, using AI to synthesize and present site analysis in a format that inspires and informs the design process.”

How do you think your research could influence the industry in the coming years?

Katie: “I think that the 3DCP industry has a lot of potential to change the industry, but I would argue we need to move towards a more strategic application. The main outcome from my research that I hope will impact industry is the importance of designing 3DCP elements with sustainability considerations as the driving factor, and this doesn't mean just optimizing the structure or reducing the volume but thinking of a broader range of strategies.”

Magnus: “By developing environmentally and culturally conscious strategies for adaptive reuse, I would encourage the industry to prioritize renovation over demolition. This not only reduces the need for virgin materials but also helps retain the cultural and historical value of buildings. In the coming years, I hope my work can guide the industry toward more circular practices, reducing environmental impact while maintaining architectural heritage.”

Gulin: “As cities face the growing challenges of climate change, insights from my research can contribute to sustainable design practices that improve urban livability. The guidelines I develop over time, could serve as an effective benchmark for future projects, encouraging stakeholders to adopt strategies that help reduce urban heat and protect public health.”

Jesse: “I don’t expect my work to change the world, but I want to assist in creating a future where, by the time I retire, there are more birds and butterflies thriving due to our collective efforts than would have been otherwise. Spreading ecological literacy allows the industry to add a new layer of site analysis to the design process – offering a new angle to data interpretation that drives design strategies protecting and enhancing wildlife and biodiversity. It's essential to encourage more companies to recognize how ecological considerations not only improve their projects but also enrich the lives of the humans, plants, and animals involved.”

Nitsan: “Artificial intelligence is an ever-evolving technology and I look forward to seeing how that develops and shapes my work over the coming years. I believe there is a deeper potential for AI to be embedded within the industry, it’s a matter of not only focusing on the low hanging fruits (i.e. renders and other visual assets) but also the more impactful design choices of architecture. My work aims to mesh data and design, transitioning the outlook of our designs to give more than they take, improving the urban spaces that we inhabit.”

What do you enjoy most about working at Henning Larsen?

Katie: “We have such a great culture in the office, and I think this really helps support the research environment. I can always find someone in the office who can help me, from tackling questions about fire performance, acoustics, quantifying carbon, to having amazing discussions about what we even mean when we talk about sustainability, different perspectives, and theories. It's so rich and inspiring, and this all filters into the development of my project.”

Magnus: “I have been here for over 13 years and the people have always made it an enjoyable place to work. I also deeply appreciate the investment in knowledge at Henning Larsen – investing in our own research to better our work and ultimately our impact within the industry.”

Jesse: “There is a culture of openness, where people are receptive to new ideas, and eager to think about things from a new and unconventional perspective. It’s inspiring to be part of a team that embraces innovation, while staying passionate about prioritizing ecological diversity in the design process.”