Research projects

For the manufacturing sector in the plastics industry, bridging the gap between prototypes and production is a challenge. Howest aims to provide guidance to companies in building end-product-oriented prototypes, enabling them to make better design decisions.                      

"The best is YET to come" builds on the research project YET (Youth Environment & engagement Tool) that was commissioned by the Flemish Community, Department of the Environment and fitted into the grant call "Together we imagine space."                                            

The project Bruges Moves is a structural collaboration between Howest and the City of Bruges to engage students in encouraging all residents of Bruges to participate in physical activity.                                                                                             

Flexicap aims to unlock collective insights regarding the implementation of the digital meter. In doing so, it aims to create contemporary solutions for consumers to better manage their energy bills.                                                                                 

With Rethink Energy 4 Food, the project consortium aims to accelerate the energy transition in the Flemish food industry. New technology solutions are being developed at foodcompanies to contribute to the Flemish 2030 goals.                                                        

This project investigates how, using new fixed and mobile infrastructure, advanced smart energy and water management can lead to water, electricity and heat optimizations at agri-food companies.                                                                                      

In PoST-IT, three areas of expertise within Howest are innovatively connected: (1) politicizing social work, (2) evaluation and impact of social interventions, and (3) data sciences.                                                                                                  

This practice-based research challenges how designers can explore new concepts related to the sustainable development of ecosystems from more-than-human perspectives.                                                                                                                  

Southwest Flanders is renowned as Belgium's production hub, hosting one out of every three manufacturing companies in the country. Many of these organizations are under pressure to transform into industries that handle available materials and resources in a more sustainable manne