Professor Koen Steemers is a chartered architect, the Professor of Sustainable Design, and a leading international expert recognized for his work on the environmental performance of buildings and cities. His research niche, Sustainable Architecture and Health Cambridge, focuses on the direct architectural and urban implications of human behavior, well-being, and resource efficiency. He currently leads the major EC-funded project “HS4U” (Healthy Design) and is actively recruiting students interested in Circular Cities and Human-Building Dynamics.
Prof. Koen Steemers, BSc BArch MPhil PhD LLD ARB | Sustainable Architecture and Health Cambridge Supervisor
- Professor of Sustainable Design
- University of Cambridge, Department of Architecture
Table of Contents
Quick Profile Summary
| Detail | Content |
|---|---|
| Position | Professor of Sustainable Design |
| Affiliation | Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge |
| Collegiate Role | Professorial Fellow, Jesus College; Director of Studies, Jesus College |
| MArch/MSc/MPhil Role | Former Head of Department (2009-14) and Director of the Martin Centre (2003-08) |
| Current Major Grant | “HS4U” – Research project on healthy design (Sept 2022 – Sept 2025), EC, 6.25m Euros |
| Specialization | Sustainable Architecture and Cities; Design for Health and Well-being; Circular Economy |
Introduction and Research Niche
Professor Koen Steemers is an architect and a highly influential environmental design specialist whose work forms the foundation of Sustainable Architecture and Health Cambridge. His research explores the crucial intersection between the design of the built environment (from individual buildings to entire cities) and its tangible effects on human health, perception, and behaviour.
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His expertise, which earned him an honorary Doctor of Laws, focuses on architectural and urban implications of critical environmental issues, spanning sustainability, energy use, and well-being. His pioneering work established him as one of the “top 50 most influential people in UK sustainability” by Building Design. Professor Steemers’ academic activities are centered on quantifying the environmental performance of the built environment and translating that knowledge into actionable design strategies that foster healthier and more resilient communities.
His core philosophy is that good design is fundamentally about creating environments that support life, which he explores extensively in his book Healthy Homes (2019) and through the work of the “BBP-lab” (Behaviour and Building Performance Laboratory).
Graduate Research Opportunities (For Prospective Students)
We are actively recruiting exceptional PhD and MPhil candidates with backgrounds in Architecture, Engineering, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, and Data Science, who are passionate about evidence-based design. Opportunities focus on advancing research in high-impact, globally relevant domains through major funded projects:
1. Major Grant Project: HS4U (Healthy Design) and Design for Health and Well-being
This research stream, linked to the major EC-funded HS4U project, explores the direct relationship between building and urban design and human health outcomes. Students will investigate how environmental parameters (daylight, air quality, thermal comfort) influence psychological and physiological well-being. Potential PhD topics include:
- Developing new models to predict the psychological impact of architectural spaces.
- Evaluating the energy efficiency and health co-benefits of passive design strategies.
- Investigating “Active Urbanism”—design interventions that subtly encourage health and fitness, such as those that promote heart rate increase through strategic route design.
2. Core Research Stream: Circular Cities and Urban Makers
This stream, informed by the major “Pop-Machina” project, focuses on the role of the Circular Economy and Urban Makers in creating sustainable, resilient cities. Students will examine the social, spatial, and logistical implications of decentralized, localized production and repair. Research questions could involve:
- Developing typologies and models for hybrid makerspaces within the urban fabric.
- Assessing the environmental and social impacts of maker networks on city-wide material flows.
- Designing urban strategies that promote circular resource use at the neighbourhood scale.
3. Interdisciplinary Focus: Data-Driven Building Performance
This area focuses on predictive modeling and data analysis for optimizing the environmental performance of complex urban systems. Opportunities involve utilizing advanced techniques, including Bayesian building energy models and other data methods, to predict and reduce urban energy consumption. Projects could involve:
- Modeling the impact of occupant behaviour on energy use in residential and commercial buildings.
- Analyzing urban morphology data (density, coverage) as indicators of thermal diversity and microclimate.
- Translating energy consumption data from sources like Display Energy Certificates (DECs) into effective policy recommendations.
Key Awards and Fellowships
| Year | Award / Fellowship | Institution / Body |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) | In recognition of distinguished career in Sustainable Building Design |
| N/A | Top 50 Most Influential People in UK Sustainability | Building Design Magazine |
| N/A | Chartered Architect (ARB) | Architects Registration Board |
| 2009-2014 | Former Head of Department | University of Cambridge, Department of Architecture |
Selected Publications
Monograph (2019): Healthy Homes.
Journal Article (2024): Gath-Morad, M., Grübel, J., Steemers, K. et al. (2024). “The role of strategic visibility in shaping wayfinding behavior in multilevel buildings.” Sci Rep 14, 3735.
Journal Article (2024): Schroder I, Elwakil R, Steemers K. (2024). “Hybrid Makerspaces and Networks for the Circular City: A Case Study of Leuven, Belgium.” Buildings, 14(1):137.
Journal Article (2023): Boldina, A., Hanel, P. H. P., & Steemers, K. (2023). “Active urbanism and choice architecture: encouraging the use of challenging city routes for health and fitness.” Landscape Research, 48(3), 276–296.
Contact Information
Prospective students interested in supervision should reach out via the following channels:
| Detail | Content |
|---|---|
| Email Address | kas11@cam.ac.uk |
| Koen Steemers | |
| University Profile Page | Professor Koen Steemers |
Supervisory Ethos
Professor Steemers cultivates a collaborative and inventive supervisory ethos, encouraging candidates to be both technically rigorous and design-driven. He seeks students who are passionate about the complex relationship between the built form and human experience, and who are eager to translate complex environmental data into innovative architectural and urban solutions. The research group values interdisciplinary thinking, particularly between the physical sciences (engineering, data analysis) and the social sciences (behavioural studies, policy). Candidates are expected to be self-motivated, proactive in seeking external collaborations, and committed to developing research that has a tangible, positive impact on environmental sustainability and societal well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the BBP-lab?
The BBP-lab (Behaviour and Building Performance Laboratory) is the research group focusing on the connections between occupant behaviour, environmental conditions (like light and thermal comfort), and the actual performance of buildings in terms of energy use and human experience.
2. Which major grants are currently active for PhD research?
The main active grant is “HS4U” (Healthy Design), a large EC-funded project running until September 2025. There are also ongoing activities related to the “Pop-Machina” project focusing on Circular Cities.
3. Do I need an architecture background to apply?
While Prof. Steemers is an architect, the research is highly interdisciplinary. Candidates from engineering, data science, environmental science, and urban planning are strongly encouraged to apply, provided they have a passion for the built environment.
4. What does the “LLD” designation mean?
The LLD (Legum Doctor) is an honorary Doctor of Laws degree awarded to Professor Steemers in recognition of his distinguished career and international standing in sustainable building design.
5. How are the Circular City projects connected to design?
These projects focus on the role of local making (makerspaces) and circular economic models, which require new forms of urban design, spatial organization, and policy to succeed. It’s about designing a more resilient, low-carbon future.
6. What is “Active Urbanism”?
Active Urbanism is a research focus on how urban design can subtly influence human behaviour to promote physical activity and health, such as encouraging the use of challenging city routes or stairs for fitness.
7. How should I approach my initial contact email?
Your email should be concise, mention your specific research interest (e.g., Circular Cities, Daylight Design, or Healthy Homes), and clearly outline how your academic background or professional experience aligns with his current funded projects.
8. Is there a focus on specific geographic areas in the research?
While much of the work is globally applicable, specific case studies involve the UK (London), European contexts (like Leuven, Belgium), and Asia (e.g., work with Tsinghua).
9. What is the expected duration for a PhD under your supervision at Cambridge?
The standard duration for a PhD at Cambridge is typically 3 to 4 years.
10. What kind of outputs are expected from PhD students?
Students are expected to produce high-quality, peer-reviewed journal articles suitable for top-tier publications in journals like Science Reports, Cities, Building and Environment, and Landscape Research, in addition to their final thesis.
