Mike LOUW

Mike Louw is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the University of Canberra's School of Design and the Built Environment. He holds a PhD from the University of Cape Town (2021) and advanced degrees in Sustainable Development from Stellenbosch University. His career includes professional architectural practice in South Africa and the UK, with notable projects like the Turbine Hotel & Spa adaptive reuse. He transitioned to academia in 2012, teaching at the University of Cape Town until 2022, leading initiatives like the Imizamo Yethu design-build project and the Solar Decathlon Africa team. His research focuses on architectural technology, sustainable materials, adaptive reuse, and Southern urbanism.

Education:

• PhD, Architecture, University of Cape Town (2021)
• MPhil/BPhil, Sustainable Development, Stellenbosch University (2006-2011)
• BArch, University of Pretoria (1999)

Research Interests: Architecture technology, sustainable material innovation, adaptive reuse strategies, climate-resilient design, and the intersection of global/local architectural practices. Recent work explores bioclimatic housing solutions and digital-analog design ethics.

Grants & Collaborations: Collaborative adaptive reuse workshops in Rwanda/Zanzibar and leadership in the Solar Decathlon Africa (2nd place, 2019). Active in design education, emphasizing student-led adaptive design projects.

Labs & Teams: Involved in the University of Canberra's design and technology programs, focusing on sustainable and innovative architectural practices.