The PHD-Day gathers current PHD projects from the Doctoral School of Architecture and puts them up for discussion in a seminar-like setting. This event, that is open to the public, presents research questions and projects at their current stage of development. This year it is organised by the Institute of Housing and is held on February 9, 2026 at the HS II, Alte Technik, Rechbauerstraße 12.

The PhD Day in the winter semester 2025/26 will build on its original concept by providing a platform for academic exchange between doctoral students and experts in their respective fields of research. Its focus lies on the collective discussion of open research questions, perspectives, and methods. Doctoral students will begin by shortly presenting excerpts from their work using a few concise presentation slides. The contributions are thematically grouped, and the event is structured around two main focal areas: first, digital methods and materiality; and second, theoretical impulses within the interplay between urban development and social policy. In addition, strategies for academic work will be addressed.

Each thematic focus is followed by an in-depth discussion conducted together with the presenters, their supervisors, invited experts, and members of the Doctoral School of Architecture. The chosen setting as an expert dialogue, rather than a traditional presentation of results, encourages an open exchange without the frontal lecture format. Instead, all participants—whether presenting or listening—are seated around a large table to enable an intensive, constructive, and equitable discussion.

10:00 Welcome and Introduction
Andreas Lichtblau, i_w

10:15 Socio-Political and Legal Aspects

Aldijana Hodžić
“Revitalisation of Devastated Houses in Boka Kotorska in Sustainable Manner”
Supervisor: Holger Neuwirth
Guests: Milica Milovanović (Mikolasch Architektur), Sanela Pansinger (Adasca e.u.)

Luisa Wimmer
„Zwischen Bebauungsplan und Verfahrenswende“
Supervisor: Andreas Lichtblau
Guest: tba

Eugen Gross
„Archea Urbana. Städtebauliche Utopie als virtuelle Stadtgründung“
Supervisor: Anselm Wagner
Guest: Bettina Götz (Artec Architekten/UdK Berlin)

Michael Heil
“Ghetto vs. Gated. Der geförderte Wohnbau in einer neoliberalen Welt“
Supervisor: Andreas Lichtblau
Guest: Rebekka Hirschberg (Ghent University)

Discussion

11:30 Break

12:00 Digital Methods and Materials
        
Carlos E. F. Marchi
“Environmental Architectonics and Digital Mediation”
Supervisor: Urs Hirschberg
Guest: Rafael Prieto-Curiel (Complexity Science Hub Vienna)

Markus Bartaky
“3D-Printed Emergency Housing with Earthbased Materials”
Supervisor: Brian Cody
Guest: Julian Jauk (IAM, TU Graz)

Hana Vašatko
“Mycelium-Based Clay Composites in Architecture”
Supervisor: Milena Stavrić
Guest: Dorothee Hippler (Angewandte Geowissenschaften, Universität Graz)

Dominik Maierhofer
“Carbon Dioxide Reduction vs. Removal: Exploring the Optimum”
Supervisor: Alexander Passer
Guest: Markus Pendlmayr (einszueins Architektur)

Discussion

13:30 Lunch

Host
Bianca Tacco, i_w