Coventry University Architecture academic wins RIBA research fund

Introduction

Coventry University’s Dr Hossein Sadri has been awarded RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) research fund.

Dr Sadri will act as lead applicant alongside two other academics, researching whether community involvement in the construction of a building can foster a stronger sense of belonging within that community. We caught up with Dr Sadri to understand the process and what being awarded this fund means for him.

What is RIBA?

If you’ve ever looked into becoming an architect, you’ll likely already be familiar with RIBA. For those who aren’t, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that supports architects and advances skills and knowledge across the profession.

As one of the world’s premier professional membership organisations, RIBA sets rigorous standards for the profession. Achieving Chartered RIBA Architect status demonstrates that an individual is fully qualified, adheres to strict ethical standards, and possesses the skills and expertise required to be trusted in practice.

Research into community building

It was never guaranteed that Dr. Sadri would receive the research grant, as RIBA selects only a small number of proposals each year through a competitive application process. But after submitting their proposal and waiting for two months, they got the good news they had been selected.

Dr Sadri’s research is around whether a community getting involved and building something together will provide a greater feeling of community belonging.

“Basically, people feel that ‘OK, I contributed to this, I'm part of this, this is my home’. It strengthens their relationship with the land and with the other beings living in that environment.”

The group is partnering with Birmingham Unitarians to develop a community project in Ladywood area in Birmingham. The researchers plan to observe the community as they design and build the project, exploring whether personal involvement influences their overall response to the finished project.

“We are talking to other stakeholders and collaborators particularly in Ladywood and we hope to create a truly inclusive project by bringing together diverse partners.”

It’s not just the individuals that make up the community, but the materials as well. All coming together to for a connection to the building.

“We are going to ask them to think of a structure to design and build and then we are going to go and harvest materials in the immediate environment of the land with them. Instead of buying, we want to harvest most of the materials because that process will also help us to understand the history of that material.”

Applying the research to students’ studies

Dr Sadri and Architecture MArch Course team at Coventry University has included this idea in different student projects already. In 2024, Coventry University architecture students helped design and build a shelter in the allotments of a local primary school.

“This year we will be working with the Church of England in the Handsworth area of Birmingham. It’s a National Heritage Site and does loads of community stuff, including a food bank and so on.”

It’s hoped that this research and the projects that spawn from it will help strengthen bonds within different communities in the West Midlands.

“This really motivates our students as well because they immediately see the impact of their work. So, what they discuss, or what they produce as a drawing or even taking a picture, they know anything they do immediately relates back to community.”

If you want more information about studying architecture at Coventry University, check out our range of architecture courses.