Prof. Helene Ahl PhD
Social and behavioural sciencesOrganization Theory, Gender studies
Architecture and construction, Health, Humanities, Social and behavioural sciences
design research
architectural design, autism, blindness, built heritage, dementia, design education, disability,n ethics, hospital environments, inclusive design, sensory impairments
CWUAAT12 Best Paper Award – Cambridge Workshop on Universal Access & Assistive Technology 2012
CWUAAT10 Best Doctoral Consortium Paper Award – Cambridge Workshop on Universal Access & Assistive Technology 2010
DCC10 Best Presentation Award – Design Computing & Cognition 2010
CWUAAT8 Best Paper Prize – Cambridge Workshop on Universal Access & Assistive Technology 2008
Senior Cera Award 2010 (nomination)
ARCC 2005 Best Presentation Award – Architectural Research Centers Consortium
DCC'4 Best Paper Award – Design Computing & Cognition 2004
AID'02 Best Paper Prize – Artificial Intelligence in Design 2002
EAAE Prize 2001-02 Writings in Architectural Education (mention) – European Association of Architectural Education
ARCC Best Paper Award 2000 – Architectural Research Centers Consortium
Dutch, English, French, German
Bianchin M., Heylighen A. (2018). Just design. Design Studies, 54, 1-22.
Heylighen A., Bianchin M. (2018). Building justice: How to overcome the inclusive design paradox?. Built Environment, 44 (1), 23-35.
Dong A., Heylighen A. (2018). Central coherence and the shaping of expertise in design: evidence from designers with autism spectrum conditions. Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing, 32 (3), 321-330.
Heylighen A., Van der Linden V., Van Steenwinkel I. (2017). Ten questions concerning inclusive design of the built environment. Building and Environment, 114, 507-517.
Heylighen A., Schijlen J., Van der Linden V., Meulenijzer D., Vermeersch P-W. (2016). Socially Innovating Architectural Design Practice by Mobilising Disability Experience. An Exploratory Study. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 12 (4), 253-265.
Heylighen A. (2014). About the nature of design in universal design. Disability and Rehabilitation, 36 (16), 1360-1368.
Heylighen, A., Bianchin, M. (2013). How does inclusive design relate to good design?. Design Studies, 34, 93-110.
Heylighen, A., Van Doren, C., Vermeersch, P. (2013). Enriching our understanding of architecture through disability experience. Open House International, 38 (1), 7-19.
Heylighen, A. (2012). Inclusive Built Heritage as a Matter of Concern: A Field Experiment. In: Langdon P., Clarkson P., Robinson P., Lazar J., Heylighen A. (Eds.), Designing Inclusive Systems, Chapt. 21 (pp. 207-216). London:. Springer-Verlag.
Heylighen, A. (2011). Studying the unthinkable designer: Designing in the absence of sight. In: Gero J. (Eds.), Design Computing and Cognition DCC10 (pp. 23-34). Springer.
Heylighen, A., Cavallin, H., Bianchin, M. (2009). Design in Mind. Design Issues, 25 (1), 94-105.
Heylighen, A. (2008). Sustainable and inclusive design: a matter of knowledge?. Local Environment, 13 (6), 531-540.
Heylighen, A., Martin, W., Cavallin, H. (2007). Building Stories Revisited. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 3 (1), 65-74.
Heylighen, A., Neuckermans, H. (2002). Are architects natural Case-Based Designers?. The Design Journal, 5 (2), 8-22.
How do disabled architects design?, KU Leuven Research Council, 2016 – 2020
Spatial clues for orientation: Architectural design meets people with dementia, KU Leuven Research Council, 2012 – 2016
The Experience of Lying: designing architecture for a wholesome hospital environment, Agency for Innovation by Science & Technology, 2010 – 2015
Architectural design In Dialogue with disAbility – AIDA, ERC Starting Grant, 2008 – 2013
The eyes of the mind. Architecture and autism, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), 2008 – 2012
Deriving haptic design parameters from the experience of persons born blind, Agency for Innovation by Science & Technology, 2007 – 2011
Towards a model for knowledge transfer in architectural design, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), 2003 – 2006
Exploiting/Exchanging design experience, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), 2000 – 2003
Case-Based Reasoning in architectural design. A critical study, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), 1996 – 2000
Member of the Design Research Society
Member of the KU Leuven Industrial Research Council
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Social and behavioural sciencesOrganization Theory, Gender studies
Social and behavioural sciences, LanguagesHispanic Literature
HealthAcademic Medicine
Humanities, Social and behavioural sciences