Clemens Bernardt

Clemens Bernardt serves as a Lecturer-researcher at the Research Centre for Built Environment – NoorderRuimte, part of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, Netherlands. His work bridges research, education, and spatial design practices at the Academy of Architecture Groningen, with a particular focus on the spatial and architectural dimensions of local energy transitions and community resilience.

Dr. Bernardt's research interests span multiple interconnected domains centered around sustainable spatial development. His work primarily focuses on Energy Transition in built environments, examining how architectural design can facilitate local energy systems. He explores Participatory Planning Processes that engage communities in energy transition initiatives, with special attention to spatial scenarios and visualization techniques. His research also addresses Climate Adaptation in architectural education and practice, particularly in the context of the Wadden Sea landscapes. Additional interests include examining spatial experiences in border zones and asylum seeker centers, as evidenced by his ethnographic work on contested spaces.

His scholarly output demonstrates a consistent trajectory examining the intersection of architecture, energy systems, and community engagement. Over the past decade, his work has evolved from examining spatial scenarios in energy planning to more recent focus on climate adaptation in architectural education and ethnographic studies of marginalized spaces. His research shows strong regional focus on Groningen and the Netherlands while addressing global challenges of energy transition and spatial justice.

Dr. Bernardt serves as Principal Investigator for the active PhD project "The contested space of the Asylum Seekers' Center" (2021-2025) and was a Co-Investigator on the "RNE: Space for New Energy" project (2015-2017). His collaborative work extends across multiple institutions, with significant partnerships within the Netherlands focusing on energy transition initiatives and architectural education.

As part of the Knowledge Center NoorderRuimte and the Academy of Architecture Groningen, Dr. Bernardt contributes to a vibrant research ecosystem focused on built environment challenges. Within the project team E+D, he specifically addresses the spatial and architectural components of local energy transition, working alongside colleagues from various disciplines to develop integrated solutions for sustainable spatial development.