Who We Are
MInD Lab is a practice-based and trans-disciplinary research group based in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Deakin University, located in Geelong – UNESCO designated City of Design.
We operate at the intersection of Built environment, Smart Urban Ecosystems, Information Technology, Design Innovation and Circular Economy. We explore the potential of socio-technical, socio-ecological, socio-spatial and socio-economic systems to create more agile, sustainable and adaptive solutions for the built environment. Our work advocates the use of “design thinking” and “system thinking” as a methodology for knowledge production (in research and education), and “trans-disciplinary thinking” as a strategy for cross-sector innovation (for the industry).
MInD Lab innovative approach to design, introduced to the audience at Milan Design Week by Professor Tuba Kocaturk
Our Expertise
HUMAN-BUILDING INTERACTION (HBI)
We explore the dynamic relationship between people and buildings, enhancing user experience and well-being through advanced technologies, spatial design, and human-centered approaches.
TRANSDISCIPLINARY DESIGN
We are spearheading a leading debate on a global paradigm shift from “product/application” to “system/implication” approach in “Design” and its disruptive and cross-sector innovation potential.
DESIGN for CIRCULAR CITIES
Through the adoption of circular economy principles, we investigate systemic approaches, tools, designs and technologies to aid the socio-technical, socio-ecological, socio-spatial and socio-economic transition of urban ecosystems
DIGITAL PLACEMAKING
We investigate the role of technology in the augmentation of urban physical spaces with location-specific digital services, products or experiences to create more attractive and memorable places for all.
AMBIENT INTELIGENCE
We explore user-centred “system design” of intelligent environments responsive to human needs and actions; through sensing capabilities, reasoning mechanisms, actuating capabilities, networking facilities and supporting applications and services.
DIGITAL HERITAGE
We explore the rich representational and experiential possibilities offered by immersive media and locative technologies to create powerful sensory narratives of (in)tangible cultural heritage assets.
Work With Us
Study With Us
HDR
StudentsFuture HDR students interested in doing research and completing degrees in MInD Lab, more here
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Research With Us
Research
Organizations / InstitutesAcademics, scholars and others interested in research collaboration with MInD Lab, more here
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Government / Commercial Stakeholders
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LEARN MORELatest News
Director of MindLab keynote speaker at MSTAS 2022 in Turkey
Professor Tuba Kocaturk, director of MindLab, was invited to serve as a keynote speaker at[…]
Call for papers on Circular Economy and Built Environment
Director and deputy director of the MindLab, Prof Tuba Kocaturk and A/Prof M. Reza Hosseini,[…]
New Generation Emerging Technologies Graduate Program
Joint grant application to CSIRO New Generation Emerging Technologies Graduate Program, developed collaboratively between Deakin’s[…]
A Spatially Intelligent Arts Centre at Geelong Design Week 2022
A Spatially Intelligent Arts Centre will explore novel approaches and applications to change an Art Centre[…]
Our Projects
A Spatially Intelligent Arts Centre
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Recycling construction demolition waste to manufacture sustainable bricks
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(In)tangible Heritage of Greater Geelong: Public City Space as Virtual Museum
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Digital Narrative for Placemaking: Diachronic Modelling of the Dennys Lascelles Concrete Wool Store, Geelong
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An intelligent Application Framework for Graphene-enabled Surface Sensing Technology in Buildings
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Experiencing (In)tangible Heritage through eXtended reality (XR) – Case study of Western Beach, Geelong Waterfront
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Smart Surfaces in Buildings – IoT enabled material intelligence
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Swarm Intelligence for Public Transportation: towards a de-centralised, self-organising system in smart urbanism
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Informed, Intelligent, and Connected – Extended Reality for the Design of Future Cities
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An EXtended Reality (XR) Enabled Immersive Collaboration Framework (IDC) for AEC Workflows
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Place Making Using Virtual Environments
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P-OET: Pre-Occupancy Evaluation Tool
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City of Greater Geelong (CoGG)
Design Mind
European Design Network (EDN)
Our Team
Prof. Tuba Kocaturk
Professor Tuba Kocaturk is the founding director of MInD Lab at Deakin University, where she leads research on circular and intelligent transformations of the built environment. A transdisciplinary design researcher, her work combines design thinking, systems thinking, and innovation methodologies to address complex challenges shaping the future of urban systems. She collaborates closely with government, industry, and academia to translate research into real-world impact. Kocaturk serves on the editorial board of Building Research & Innovation and on various national and international advisory panels.
Dr. Maycon Sedrez
Maycon Sedrez is a lecturer in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Deakin University and deputy director of MInD Lab. His research focuses on computational design and sustainability, with particular interest in parametric design, Scenario Planning methods and advancing SDGs. He has worked in Brazil, Germany in China in architecture and urban design projects and research, and his recent work includes the book AI-Aided Design for Sustainability. Sedrez’s broader contributions span on sustainable design studios, digital design and sustainability, and recently advising the Geelong’s Environment and Circular Economy Advisory Committee.
Dr. Gregory Pitts
Lecturer / Researcher
Professor / Researcher
Senior Lecturer / Researcher
Dr. Angad Nayyar
Dr Angad Nayyar is an Associate Teaching and Research Fellow in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Deakin University. His work spans research and industry practice across digital engineering, parametric design, extended reality, and game engines, with a focus on spatial user experience through spatial computing and human building interaction in healthcare, dementia empathy training, and relaxation in VR. He has contributed to projects including the Spatially Intelligent Geelong Arts Centre and dementia empathy training in VR research with the University of Adelaide and received a Teaching Impact Award for innovation in built environment education at Deakin University. He has lived, studied, and worked in Bombay, Kuala Lumpur, and London, and is currently based in Melbourne, Australia.
Professor Sarah McGann
In Media
Australia’s Science
Channel
Geelong
Design Week 2022
Milan Design Week
Contact us
Mediated Intelligence in Design Lab (MInD Lab) | School of Architecture and Built Environment | Faculty of Science Engineering & Built Environment | Deakin University