Faculty of Architecture Research Unit (FARU)

Theme

The 17th International Research Conference of Faculty of Architecture Research Unit (FARU 2024) will be held on 6-7 December 2024 online and at the University of Moratuwa, Katubedda, Sri Lanka. The conference theme for this year is “Spatial Dynamics: Envisioning Tomorrow’s Design through Advanced Practices” to accelerate action on sustainability, as we approach the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals. The conference provides a platform to explore into global systems and human aspirations aligned with these goals. It will explore means to enhance sustainability through current and future methods, technologies, policies and practices.
Possible topics in the thematic selection includes (but not limited to)
  • Green products, buildings and cities
  • Technology for simulating-built form
  • Making places for people
  • Methods, tools and practices in delivering sustainable solutions
  • Integrated systems, policy and governance
  • Sustainable construction management

Venue and Date

6-7 December 2023
University of Moratuwa,
Bandaranayake Mawatha,
Moratuwa 10400 Sri Lanka.
www.uom.lk

Keynote Speakers - FARU 2023

Keynote Speaker 01

Professor Charles Egbu,
Vice Chancellor,
Leeds Trinity University,
United Kingdom.

Professor Charles Egbu is Vice Chancellor, Leeds Trinity University. He was formerly Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education & Experience) at University of East London, UK. And former Dean of School of the Built Environment and Architecture at London South Bank University, England, UK. He is Professor of Project Management and Strategic Management in Construction. He has also held academic positions at University of Salford, UK, University College London (UCL) UK, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK, and Glasgow Caledonian University, UK. His First Degree was in Quantity Surveying [First Class Honours]. His Doctorate was obtained from the University of Salford, UK, in the area of Construction Project Management. He was President ( 2019/20) of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (FCIOB), Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS), Fellow of the Association for Project Management (FAPM), Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce (FRSA), and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). He was admitted to the Worshipful Company of Constructors in May 2017, and received the Freedom of the City of London in 2017. He has supervised over 30 PhD students and examined over 100 PhD candidates world-wide; and has acted as an External Examiner to many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in many universities all over the world. He has contributed over 350 publications in various international journals and conferences and has hosted, chaired and spoken at many conferences in his areas of expertise. He has managed several large multi-disciplinary research projects (received over £25m funding) as Principal Investigator and led a number of successful Research Centres. He was formerly a Member of the Peer Review College of the UK Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC) and a member of the Peer Review College of the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). He is a Visiting Professor to a number of Universities in Europe, Africa, and Asia. He is also linked to Universities UK (UUK); MillionPlus; Yorkshire Universities; Leeds Learning Alliance (LLA); UVAC; and the Cathedrals Group of Universities, UK. He has mentored and supported academics in more than 30 countries; and supported large, medium, and small organisations through skills development and continuing professional development (CPD).

Keynote Speaker 02

Professor Hisham Elkadi,
Professor in Architecture,
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
University of Salford,
United Kingdom

Professor Hisham Elkadi is the Chair and the former Executive Dean of Architecture and the Built Environment at the University of Salford. Prior to his appointment at Salford, Professor Elkadi was the Head of School of Architecture & Building at Deakin University in Australia and the Chair of the University Academic Board, The Head of School of Architecture and Design in Belfast, and the Director of Architecture at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in UK. In 2019, Hisham also acted as a Pro-Vice Chancellor (International) at the University of Salford and developed its International Strategy. With background in architecture engineering, postgraduate degrees in environmental science, Professor Elkadi has led large multi-disciplinary faculties of Engineers, architects, and environment scientists in both UK and Australia. His research is in the field of Sustainable Urban Futures has attracted a number of large funded projects amount to £20M including funded projects from ERDF (Energy House II), ERDF IGNITION, UKRI, EU Peace programme, EU and other funded programmes from Australia and UK Government funds. Professor Elkadi is also an honorary professor at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany, Torrens University in Australia, Taylor University in Malaysia, and the University of Portsmouth UK. He was previously appointed a visiting Professor at University College London and Harvard School of Design. Hisham is also a board member of CIB (Council International de Bâtiment) and a reviewer for UNEP Global Environment Outlook. Hisham has a large number of publications (140+), 5 books, and graduated 21 Ph.D. students. Hisham latest books include the one on Architecture & Daylight by Routledge and another on the development on smart urban corridors. Hisham has also been involved in practice and implemented urban transformation projects in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Geelong Australia, Manchester UK, and Karlsruhe Germany. Hisham has been involved in outreach programmes with the local and international construction industry in England, Italy, Turkey, Vietnam, and Australia. His appointment to the Ministry Advisory Group for the Built Environment in Northern Ireland, support Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe, Germany and a board member of the Greater Manchester of Low Carbon Board are recognitions of his commitment to regeneration of inner cities.
Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit research papers that focus within the scope of FARU publications. There are two types of FARU Publications; The FARU Conference Proceedings (ISSN 2815-0384, eISSN 2806-0392) and the FARU Journal (ISSN 2012-6301, eISSN 2806-5182 ).

Previous Conferences

FARU 2023 -16th International Research Conference 

Professor Charles Egbu

Vice Chancellor,
Leeds Trinity University, United Kingdom.

Professor Hisham Elkadi

Professor in Architecture,
School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, United Kingdom

FARU 2022 -15th International Research Conference 

Dr. Ajanta Sen

IIT Bombay, Industrial Design Centre, IIT Visiting staff International Director of Solar Project, NUS, Singapore Advisor, Indian Architect and Builder (IA&B), India.

FARU 2021 -14th International Research Conference

Professor Udo J. Becker

Institute for Transport Planning and Road Traffic, Dresden University of Technology, Germany.

FARU 2020 -13th International Research Conference 

Professor Abraham George

Architecture and Regional Planning, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India

Professor Bingunath Ingirige

Professor of Urban Resilience and Adaptation, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK

Professor Oscar Carracedo Garcia - Villalba

Director of Designing Resilience in Asia Research Programme, Department of Architecture, School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore

FARU 2019 -12th International Research Conference 

Professor Jürgen Reichardt

Munster School of Architecture, Dept. for Building Construction and Industrial Building, Germany

FARU 2018 -11th International Research Conference 

Professor Samitha Manawadu

University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

FARU 2017 -10th International Research Conference 

Professor Susan Roaf

The University of Cambridge, UK

Professor Geoffrey Qiping Shen

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Dr. Katherine Moline

University of New South Wales, Australia

Prof. Arun Gupta

National Institute of Design, India

FARU 2016 -9th International Research Conference

Professor Koen Steemers

The University of Cambridge, UK

Prof. Amal S. Kumarage

University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

FARU 2015 -8th International Research Conference

Professor Marc Aural Schnable

Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

Professor Jurgen Reichardt

Reichardt-Maas-Associated Architects GmbH & Co. KG in Essen, Germany

Professor Saroj Jayasinghe

University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

FARU 2014 -7th International Research Conference

Mr. Pradyumna Vyas

Director, National Institute of Design, India

FARU 2013 – 6th International Research Conference

Professor Fergus Nicol

Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom

FARU 2012 -5th International Research Conference

Professor Jon Lang

University of New South Wales, Australia

Professor Richard Hyde

University of Sydney, Australia

FARU 2011 -4th International Research Conference

Rev. Dr. Charles Doige

The Leicester School of Architecture, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK

Prof. Paolo Tombesi

University of Melbourne, Australia

Prof. Juhani Pallasmaa

University of Technology, Helsinki, Finland.

FARU 2010 – 3rd International Research Conference (ISVS – 5)

Prof. Paul Oliver

Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom

Dr. Peter Kellert

Newcastle University, UK

Prof. Claudia Estrela Porto

University of Brasilia, Brazil

FARU 2009 – 2nd International Research Conference

FARU 2008 -1st International Research Conference