Dr Ricardo Assis Rosa

Selected projects

• 2015 - Rain Pavilion - A campus sited Art and Architecture work for Oxford Brookes University
• 2014 - Conference paper – RIBA- Material Matters. The significance of material studies in architectural education.
• Mind, Tool and Matter - Cultural and Material Implications in Architectural Design Processes.
• Tools and Methods - Digital Fabrication and Material Perception. Subtleties of Grain - Craftsmanship and the Meaning of Material Performances (with Gibbon, H.)
• Digital Craft in Masonry - Parallels in Digital Design and Masonry Craftsmanship.(with Palmer, J.)
• Digital Printing and the Mason - Investigation into the 3D Printing Technology and the Traditional Stone Mason. (with Riman, J.)
• 2014 – Conference paper – RIBA- Material Matters. The significance of material studies in architectural education.
• Mind, Tool and Matter - Cultural and Material Implications in Architectural Design Processes.
• Tools and Methods - Digital Fabrication and Material Perception.
• Subtleties of Grain - Craftsmanship and the Meaning of Material Performances (with Gibbon, H.)
• Digital Craft in Masonry - Parallels in Digital Design and Masonry Craftsmanship.(with Palmer, J.)
• Digital Printing and the Mason - Investigation into the 3D Printing Technology and the Traditional Stone Mason. (with Riman, J.)
• 2013, Invited lecturer for the Sino-UK collaboration organised by the Architectural Association of China and the British Council. Event hosted by Tsinghua University, Beijing University of Technology and Jiaotong University
• 2013, Architectural Technology Taught as a Creative Design Process, paper for the Association of Architectural Educators and the Higher Education Academy, Nottingham Trent University
• 2013, Collaborative Workshops between Arts and Architecture, Joint project with Tiffany Black from the school of Arts
• 2012, Pavilion Design Competition, Student Live Project - Coordination and exhibition, Oxford Brookes University
• 2012, Historic Regeneration of The Beaufoy Institute into a Buddhist Community Centre - London
• 2012, Spatial Prototypes – Recording urban spatial layers in Macau, China. Installation in the University of S. Jose – Macau and Oxford Brookes University
• 2012, Design for the New Buddhist Community School – Kalimpong, India
• 2012, Stage set design for the theatre production Navegar, produced by Eter Cultural Productions, Portugal
• 2011, Design for a private villa integrating local vernacular and contemporary design – Zakynthos, Greece
• 2010, Design of Rowdeford School’s Art Performance Centre – Historic Georgian and contemporary redevelopment, Rowde, UK
• 2009, Design of a modern private house using traditional green oak timber framed technology. Upper Seagry, UK

Ricardo’s background is quite extensive having started his design carrier in the Theatre where he develops a special interest in materials, spatial experience and narrative. His relationship with architecture begun with hand tools on building sites having grown up in an environment of historical restoration of vernacular architecture in Portugal. His in-depth knowledge of making and crafting influences his approach to teaching and the style of his architectural propositions. 

Ricardo's PhD by Design research is titled: Mind Tool and Matter - Synergies in Digital Fabrication and Bamboo Craftsmanship.

The Abstract is: Bamboo is widely used as a construction material in many places across the tropics, presenting a viable solution to locally sourced sustainable resources. Colombia has a well-established tradition in craftsmanship and design preserved in a legacy of vernacular and contemporary architecture. This research project studies the limitations and potential of large culms of bamboo (Guadua) for its use in mainstream architectural design and construction. The thesis is to integrate digital design and fabrication technologies into existing workflows to aid and enhance craftsmanship and design. This research project proposes a low-cost digital fabrication machine which through a workflow enhances the possibilities of innovative design, fabrication and application of bamboo buildings in mainstream contemporary construction. This proposed methodology of design to construction can support a wider use of bamboo through intermediate technologies, empowering communities with small to medium industrial solutions, encouraging sustainable social and economical growth. Overall bamboo in light of this project contributes to the aims of a circular economy and the sustainable development goals.