Research Assistant: Living kollektiv – Cartographies of the Nordic Residential Commune in Copenhagen

This project is part of the Nordic Forms of Living Together (NFoLT).

Introduction to the topic

In recent years, interest has grown in Nordic models of community-oriented living, both among architects and the public, in the Nordics and abroad. These alternative housing schemes—designed to encourage closer social connections, affordability, and sustainable living—are seen as promising responses to major challenges in modern housing, including loneliness, high costs, and environmental impact.

Among the Nordic Forms of Living Together, some models—such as co-housing (bofællesskab) or the Danish indirectly owned tenure system (andel)—have been studied more and mostly remain in need of contemporary revision, while others historically have received relatively little scholarly attention, particularly internationally. The kollektiv, the Nordic variant of the residential commune, is one such underexplored model. It represents a typology associated with a dense, slow, and community-oriented way of life.

Project details

This project addresses the need for systematic, research-driven analysis of the kollektiv. From an architectural perspective, to identify key residential archetypes and establish clear definitions that distinguish it from other typologies; and from a socio-demographic perspective, to provide a basis for demystifying and clarifying the demand and potential of this form of collective living.

In collaboration with the Danish Association of Kollektiver (Kollektivforening), the project will generate a comprehensive cartography of kollektiver within Copenhagen and identify paradigmatic cases for deeper analysis. This dual approach—both extensive and intensive—will allow for comparative evaluation across spatial, social, and temporal dimensions.

Throughout the project, Research Assistants (RAs) will be trained in diverse fieldwork methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative, ranging from problem formulation and research design to data analysis and academic writing. The work will be conducted in collaboration with volunteers from the association as well as other potential academic partners. The expected outcome is a series of critical articles written by the RAs, providing them with experience in architectural research and scientific writing while contributing to the collective mapping of one of Copenhagen’s most significant community-oriented forms of living.

These projects are part of the Nordic Forms of Living Together (NFoLT) and have open Research Assistant positions:

Retracing the community-oriented housing experiments of Gunnar Hoydal in the Faroe Islands

Selected relevant publications:

Rask, J. R. & Gjerding, H. R. (2023) Bo – Fælles – Skab – Håndbog for kollektiver, bygge- og bofælleskaber [Manual for kollektiver, co-houses, and construction cooperatives]. Hovedland, Copenhagen. ISBN 978-87-7070-856-2
Tietjen, A., Riesto, S. & Skov, P. (Eds.). (2007). Forankring i forandring.Christiania og bevaring som ressource i byomdannelse [Anchoring in change. Christiania and conservation as a resource in urban transformation]. Arkitektskolen Forlag, Århus. ISBN 978-87-90979-21-8
Rieiro Díaz, R. (2023). Make yourself at home: A critical retracing of the legacy of the housing utopias built in the Nordic countries in the seventies (Doctoral thesis, E.T.S. Arquitectura, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid).

Prerequisites

Architecture major: Students with experience using AutoCAD and/or Rhino for drawing and modeling will be well prepared for this project. Students should be able to develop a graphic language for communicating their research.

Other majors: Must be able to utilize the Adobe software package proficiently.

Some knowledge of architectural history—particularly developments in the late 20th century—would be an advantage for understanding the research framework, but is not required.

Additional research application required

You will need to submit an additional research application through Student Registration in order to enroll in this course.

To submit your research application, you must already be admitted to DIS.

All research application materials must be submitted on the following dates by 23:59 Central European Time:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your additional research application through Student Registration.

If you are not already enrolled, use this link to apply to DIS before completing a research application.

Syllabus

The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be listed here as soon as it is available.

Faculty

Heitor Garcia Lantarón

Faculty

Ph.D. (Department of Architectural Design, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain, 2016). Architect. Doctoral Thesis: Danish Examples of Housing for the Elderly. Academic and professional interests focused on housing challenges related to the ageing process and addressing challenges to enhance the domestic space quality for any age and (dis)ability. Previously employed at Nieto Sobejano Archietcts, 2008-2009, and Herzog & de Meuron, 2006-2008. With DIS since 2017.

architecture-and-design-rodrigo-riero[1]

Rodrigo Antonio Rieiro Diaz

Faculty

Ph.D. (Architecture, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (ETSAM), 2023). Architect Cand. arch, ERIK, 2022-present. Architect Cand. arch, WERK Ark., 2019-2022. Architect Cand. arch, Dorte Mandrup, 2016-2019. Architect Cand. arch, Mikkelsen Ark., 2015-2015. Architect Cand. arch, ERIK, 2022-present. Architect Cand. arch, Effekt, 2012-2015. Architect Cand. arch, Ábalos+Sentkiewicz, 2011-2012. With DIS since 2023.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic

Project details

Prerequisites

Additional research application required

Syllabus

The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be listed here as soon as it is available.

Faculty

Heitor Garcia Lantarón

Rodrigo Antonio Rieiro Diaz

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?