Architecture of Flexibility in the UK: Towards Broader Customisation in Industrialised Construction (Ref: ABCE-EBE-AS2)

About the Project

One of the core benefits of Industrialised Construction (IC) is the repetitive standardised advantage gained, allowing broader efficiency, quality, and an inheritable learning process across different projects. However, one of the most obvious disadvantages of such an approach is undermining Architects’ site-specific designs, design flexibility, and creativity. Given the increasing need to change ways construction projects are delivered, there is a need to critically involve architect insight to ensure the feasibility of the overall national change programme for broader IC in the United Kingdom. The project includes rethinking how manufacturing facilities producing fullscale modules, through either volumetric or modular approaches, can benefit from the best of both worlds- repetitiveness and standardisation for one, and the flexibility and customisation for another. The PhD is expected to investigate how reconfiguring manufacturing facilities and production systems can be reconfigured to include enhanced architectural capability for variations within the same (whole) highly repetitive process. This would enhance our understanding of enhanced uses of manufacturing in construction, creating conditions of which can make offsite factories more efficient and capable of meeting various client preferences. The project may focus on a certain building typology, such as residential or educational buildings, or a combination of residential and non-residential buildings. This PhD projects welcomes applicants from Architecture and/or Construction Management backgrounds, preferably with experience or exposure to fabrication and/or construction.

Name of primary supervisor/CDT lead:
Dr. Ali M. Saad a.saad@lboro.ac.uk

Names of secondary supervisors:
Dr Sura Al-Maiyah
Dr Aya Al Kadi Jazaierly

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. A relevant master’s degree and/or experience is desirable.

English language requirements:
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website ( ).

Bench fees required: No

Closing date of advert: 30 June 2026

Start date: October 2026

Full-time/part-time availability: Full-time 3 years

Fee band: 2025/26 Band RB (UK £5,006, International £28,600)

How to apply:
All applications must be made online and must include a completed studentship application form (instead of a personal statement) and a two-page research proposal based on the project description outlining how you would approach the project and what methods you would use. Under programme name, please select ‘Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering (Built Environment)’. Please quote advert reference ABCEEBE-AS2.
To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents including an up-to-date CV, but a personal statement is not required.
ABCE will use these selection criteria to make a decision on your application.

Project search terms:
architecture, building & planning, construction management, industrialised construction, modern methods of construction (MMC), modular construction, volumetric, prefabrication, digital technologies, digitalisation

Email Address ABCE:
abce.pgr@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk