Example housing dissertation topic 2:

Reinvigorating regional construction techniques: A call for more diversity.

Though housing developers such as Persimmon, who purchased Kentish vernacular construction firm, Hillreed homes, in October 2012, can be applauded for their use of local vernacular styles in their executive housing developments nationwide, the same cannot always be said of mid-price range properties. This paper, in advancing the cause of diversity, argues that a greater use of locally sourced products should be used in house construction so as to reflect the historic building and construction styles of different parts of the county. Thus, this dissertation investigates both the cost effects and customers perceptions of a return to using vernacular design and construction in Cornwall and Kent. It includes, for example, the use of traditional lime mortar, as opposed to more environmentally insensitive concrete, as the preferred construction material.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Boyd, D. and Danks, S. (2000). ‘An analysis of ‘the architectural practice’ in the construction industry’, Association of Researchers in Construction Management, Vol. 2, 693-702.
• Forsyth, A. and Crewe, K. (2009). ‘New visions for suburbia: Reassessing aesthetics and place-making in modernism, imageability and new urbanism’, Journal of Urban Design, Vol. 14(4), pp. 415-438.
• Ventolá, L., Vendrell, M., Giraldez, P. and Merino, L. (2011). ‘Traditional organic additives improve lime mortars: New old materials for restoration and building natural stone fabrics’, Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 25(8), pp. 3313-3318.