Dr Linda Pearce

Lecturer, Interior Architecture

School of Architecture and Built Environment

College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


I am a registered architect who believes that buildings should be safe to build, delightful to occupy, and sustainable throughout their long lifespans. My research aims to support solving complex human environment design challenges for an inclusive zero-carbon world. 
My vision is to create high quality evidence for use in evidence-based architecture and interior design. My interests include:

Understanding and defining complex design problems
Carbon reduction through adaptive reuse and sustainable design
Advocacy of inclusive human environments during design, simulation, planning and occupation
The business of built environment design

I research pragmatically to provide useful answers to complex problems. My research toolbox uses methods from STEM, STEM-D and HASS, including:

Design research, including simulation and mapping
Social science methods
Data science (data mining, network analysis, modelling)
Soft Operational Research methods (scenario planning)
Architectural science methods

I have previously researched learning environments and I have an interest in workplaces, including industrial workplaces.
I lecture in the Bachelor of Interior Architecture Program where I teach research, communication, creativity, construction and human factors, to future interior designers.
In addition to being an architect, I originally trained in electrical and electronic engineering and have worked as a telecommunications systems engineer, which provides an innate systems worldview. I also have business leadership, management and consultancy experience. This wide background informs my inter-disciplinary approach to researching and teaching.
For potential PhD students: I am only eligible to be a co-supervisor. You will need to find a person who can be a principal supervisor before approaching me. Thanks.
For PhD Principal supervisors: I am available for co-supervision, particularly for later writing phases of PhD by thesis. No NTRO thanks.

Research methods and interests

Relational methods

  • Social practice theory
  • Operations research

 Architecture and Architectural science methods

  • Architectural design research
  • Data science and simulation methods
  • Mixed methods
  • Built environment sociology and ethics
  • Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) 

Research Interests

  • Adaptive reuse
  • Sustainable architecture
  • Human environments design and indoor environment quality (IEQ)
  • Learning and working spaces
  • Design thinking (defining, strategising and solving complex unstructured design problems)
  • The intersection between HASS and STEM

Date Institution name Country Title
2011 - 2016 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
2004 - 2006 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Architecture (Hons)
1998 - 1999 University of Warwick United Kingdom Master of Business Administration
1983 - 1988 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) (Hons)

Date Title Institution name Country
2009 Registered Architect Architectural Practice Board of South Australia Australia

Year Citation
2017 Pearce, L. M. (2017). Sensory pleasure of interiority: finding transdisciplinary research language for complex indoor environment quality. In M. A. Schnabel (Ed.), Back to the future: the next 50 years, 51st International Conference of the Architectural Science Association proceedings (pp. 573-582). New Zealand: Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA).
2016 Pearce, L. (2016). Non-normative use of windows and artificial lighting in selected South Australian primary schools. In J. Zuo, L. Daniel, & V. Soebarto (Eds.), Fifty years later: Revisiting the role of architectural science in design and practice (pp. 597-606). Australia: The Architectural Science Association.
2016 Pearce, L. (2016). Perspectives of sustainability elements in selected South Australian primary schools. In J. Zuo, L. Daniel, & V. Soebarto (Eds.), Fifty years later: Revisiting the role of architectural science in design and practice (pp. 31-40). Australia: The Architectural Science Association.
2006 Pearce, L. (2006). A Systemic Approach to the Sensitivity Analysis of the Energy Performance of a Multistorey Office Building. In Investigating the roles and challenges of building performance simulation in achieving a sustainable built environment : proceedings of the IBPSA Australasia 2006 Conference (pp. 1-8). Adelaide, South Australia: University of Adelaide and IBPSA Australasia.
2006 Pearce, L. (2006). Green offices & recalcitrant tenants: exploring rating tools sensitivities for multi-story office buildings. In S. Shannon, V. Soebarto, & T. Williamson (Eds.), Proceedings of ANZAScA 2006 (pp. CDROM42-CDROM49). CDROM: University of Adelaide.
  • Prosper! Interdisciplinary solutions for Prosperous Regions - Legatus Co-contribution, Legatus Group, 01/03/2023 - 30/11/2023

  • Prosper! Interdisciplinary solutions for Prosperous Regions, Australian Academy of Science - Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia), 01/03/2023 - 30/11/2023

Courses I teach

  • ARCH 3057 Interior Architecture Research Studies (2025)
  • ARCH 4007 Interior Architecture Research Studies Advanced (2025)
  • ARCH 4011 Interior Architecture Studio 7: Atmospheres (2025)
  • ARCH 3057 Interior Architecture Research Studies (2024)
  • ARCH 4007 Interior Architecture Research Studies Advanced (2024)
  • ARCH 4011 Interior Architecture Studio 7: Atmospheres (2024)

Programs I'm associated with

  • DBIR - Bachelor of Interior Architecture

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2023 Co-Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Trevor Vivian White

Date Role Membership Country
2004 - ongoing Member Australian Institute of Architects -

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