The built environment interdiscipline: A theoretical model for decision makers in research and teaching

The built environment subject area is now well‐established as a recognised field of study. However, because of its vocational orientation it is usually defined in terms of a particular range of professional activities and aptitudes. In consequence the theoretical nature of its academic knowledge base is poorly developed. This has consequences for research and teaching practice within the field which are explored in this paper.

Using established literature on the historical approaches to knowledge categorisation a theoretical model is proposed.

The proposed model defines the built environment as an applied, but theoretically coherent, interdiscipline with a common epistemological axiomatic.

The paper proposes a new model of the built environment knowledge base for further discussion within the field. The practical benefits of the model are also illustrated by examples in the context of curriculum design, research strategy and the research‐teaching nexus.