27.06
28.06
28.06 noW 1 noW 2 10:00am13:30pm Bst 15:00pm18:00pm Bst 15:00pm18:15pm Bst
YAEL REISNER,SEbAStIAN AN dERME,MAtHILdE MARENGO, MAR
NANCY dINIZ, LYdIA KALLI
NdIA,MELOdIE LEUNG,tIZIANO
MARtIN ZANGERL,CAMpbELL ORME, ALLIpOLItI, MARCELYN GOw
OLLAZZO,ANNA-MARIA MEIStER,JAKUb
tHEO LALIS,KAtHY VELIKOV, , MORItZ döRStELMANN
ERGER,AREtI MARKOpOULOU, OLANd SNOOKS,tHEO LALIS, dAM,MARCELLA dEL SIGNORE, KOHLER,JAKUb KLASKA
B-Pro is a group of five graduate programmes. These programmes welcome a diverse international student cohort, with highly structured access to the realisation and application of research, and the production of new schemes of conception and construction in architecture and urbanism.
Throughout the year, B-Pro tutors and students develop numerous seminars, workshops, lectures and public events to encourage collaboration and the discussion of ideas which further our understanding of the future of design, the urban environment and architecture.
Through a shared vision of creative architecture, B-Pro is an opportunity for students both to participate in a new community and to affirm the singularity of their individual talents. These programmes are not only an open door to an advanced architectural practice but also form the base from which each student can define their particular approach and architectural philosophy, in order to seek a position in the professional world.
Attracting high-calibre staff from all over the world and led by Chair of School Professor Frédéric Migayrou, B-Pro includes a number of research ‘labs’ dedicated to advanced experimentation in architectural and urban theory.
B-Pro Director: Professor Frédéric Migayrou
B-Pro AD Programme Director: Tyson Hosmer
B-Pro UD Programme Director: Roberto Bottazzi
B-Pro Programmes:
Architectural Design (AD) - (MArch)
Urban Design (UD) - (MArch)
Architectural Computation (AC) - (MSc/MRes)
Architecture & Digital Theory (ADT) - (MRes)
Bio-Integrated Design (BioID) - (MArch/MSc)
2023-2024
Design: Hadin Charbel and Déborah López Lobato
technical: Robert frazer, Zehao Qin
theory: Albert Brenchat-Aguilar
research cluster 1 explores the imminent nature of the anthropocene through the lens of ubiquity as the production of behaviors, raw material, logistical processes, and its impacts on contemporary ecological scenes. using climate-fiction (cli-fi) as a vehicle and video game engines as a medium, imminent realities are researched, experimented with, and projected. two strands of research topics are interwoven (1) cli-migration - the forced migration of people due to changing climatic conditions; and (2)autonomous ecologies - and the automation, rights, and participation in discourse of nature. Projects emerge as highly contextualized, emphasizing a profound understanding of various stake holders and developing video games as an explorative design space between humans, non-humans and other environmental factors.
Design: Valentina Soana
technical: Shahram Minoee Sabery theory: Panagiota Adilenidou
rc2 explores the role of robotics in architecture beyond fabrication and construction, moving towards the novel concept of architectural robots. designers have long envisioned building systems that adapt to human, environmental, and structural conditions. recent advancements in computational tools and robotics now allow us to reconsider these visions. By integrating robotic solutions into lightweight material systems, we can create innovative structures that self-form, reconfigure, and achieve multiple states with minimal material and energy. the cluster focuses on developing novel material-machine-kinetic systems and control strategies, embedding robotic operations within materials and controlling them in real-time via a cyber-physical network. Behaviours emerge through the dynamic interaction between humans, designers, materials, and machines, leading to interactive, intelligent environments. this vision transforms our surroundings into intelligent entities, transcending their traditional static roles and offering new immersive and continuously evolving sensory experiences.
Design: tyson Hosmer, Octavian Gheorghiu and Philipp Siedler technical: Ziming He, Baris Erdincer, Sergio Mutis theory: Jordi Vivaldi Piera
rc3 interrogates the notion of ‘living architecture’ as a coupling of living systems with the continuous [re]assembly and [re]formation of architecture. the lab holistically reappraises the unsustainable linear life cycles of buildings, learning from living systems extraordinary scalable efficiencies of adaptive construction with simple flexible parts. it focuses on developing autonomously reconfigurable buildings integrating ai-driven generative spatial design platforms, novel robotic material systems, and cyberphysical simulation, sensing, and control. each project develops the three subsystems in relation to each other, considering both the constraints of the design algorithms and the robotic material systems, enabling intelligent spatial adaptation with a continuous feedback chain. experimental design models are embedded with the ability to self-organize, self-assess, and self-improve using deep reinforcement learning to train both the adaptive design algorithms and adaptive robotic assembly behaviour in the simulator. Projects operate across several scales and topologies, from small-scale collaborative robotics for assembly, to adaptive robotic tensegrity and hybrid systems, to larger scale robotic spatial embodiment. Projects develop new socio-economic models and scalable platforms for distributed living, working, and production. this year`s research has largely evolved around collective robotic construction (crc) systems as ecologies of varied modular robots working collaboratively.
Design: Stefan Bassing, Marios tsiliakos technical: JJ Lee, Calin Craiu, Zehao Qin, Alvaro Lopez theory: Daria Ricchi
research cluster 5 investigates the relationship between digital and physical products for spatial applications. We are targeting the transformation of the traditionally service-oriented architectural design industry, towards developing its own product applications that are scalable and automated. students will work with user centric design thinking strategies, to first identify an acute spatial problem. next we develop multi-layered technology solutions for these individual use cases using of state-of-the-art computational design frameworks and technologies such deep learning, llMs and 3d printing. this year we explore 3d-printable hyper-customized façade designs for carbon net-zero retrofitting of existing building envelopes, highly adaptive workplaces catering to the needs of start-ups using genetic optimisations, and rethinking the traditional trade-fair design and planning through automated workflows and hyper-personalized booth design using natural language as a medium.
Design: Guan Lee, Christopher fischlein, Daniel widrig technical: Bartlett B-made theory: Ruby Law
rc6 advocates for the use of materials and examination of design processes that go beyond mere practicality. this year, we turned to traditional craftsmanship for design ideas and production inspiration. How can architecture, based on production techniques, play a role in design experiments? the technological advancements of the 19th and 20th centuries allowed artisans to explore new material systems and construction methods. How can craft evolve from personal skill to a collective and spatial construct? is this merely a shift in scale, both physical and conceptual? Making is a vital part of the design and architectural world, enabling architects to realize ambitious and complex projects that push the boundaries of architecture. By hacking into existing know-how we not only question what we build but also how we build.
Design: Richard Beckett, Christopher whiteside technical: Juan Cantu, Christoph Geiger, Hangchuan wei, Aileen Hoenerloh theory: Yota Adilenidou
operating at the intersection of biodigital design and architecture, rc7 continues its research into integrating living biological systems and materials into architecture. this year, a specific interest in biologically active materials, integrated into design using environmentally driven machine learning models, informs the conception of new building paradigms and the development of novel biofabrication techniques. considering the contemporary understanding of the human as a holobiont along with shifting modes of biopolitics, students will develop novel biologically driven material systems to provide for multiple living agencies across a range of building typologies. Projects will explore these living material systems and building typologies for urban living alongside radical solutions addressing issues including urban growth in the age of the anthropocene, and the need to rewild urban environments with microbiodiversity. topics this year revolve around themes of material responsivenes explored through architectural concepts of ageing, permanence and decay.
Design: Kostas Grigoriadis, Alvaro Lopez Rodriguez technical: XSamuel Esses & Hanjun Kim theory: Ilaria Di Carlo
research cluster 8 focuses on multi-material design in architecture and building construction. the cluster aims to explore new methods of designing and building with material gradients to redefine component-based assembly and the standard practice of twentieth-century mechanical connectivity. in previous years, the cluster has studied the use of robotic fabrication for in-situ 3d printing of building facades and the merging of materials to create component-less, continuous envelopes. this year, students will research the origins of the materials used in multi-material topologies, with a focus on recycled sources. they will implement and combine ar technology with 3d printing methods to achieve hybrid systems that optimize production and materials.
Design: federico Borello, Cesar fragachan technical: Christoph Geiger, Jennifer Durand theory: Alejandro Veliz Reyes
rcX is dedicated to investigating and advancing cutting-edge design and tech-enabled processes in architecture, engineering and construction (aec). By harnessing the power of cognitive algorithms and ai, it aims to push the boundaries of innovation in the industry by exploring tectonic languages, self-organising strategies and participatory design using game technologies, digital fabrication and latest ai/Ml frameworks. data on end users` requirements are gathered through platforms that draw inspiration from the gaming, automobile, and aerospace industries.this data-driven approach ensures that the resulting spatial arrangements are precisely tailored to meet the needs and preferences of occupants and are informed by the physical and material constraints of the fabrication process. furthermore, rcX explores the synergies between design for Manufacture and assembly (dfMa) practices and industrialised construction technologies. By integrating these two methodologies, the cluster aims to develop structure and production-aware parametric architectural components. assemblies of components are developed and deployed into prototypical scenarios through agent based simulations and/or multiplayer game platforms, aiming to create sustainable mixed developments. rcX endeavors to foster enhanced community interactions and overall well-being by designing spaces that facilitate social connections and promote a sense of community and contributing to the broader societal need for sustainable and harmonious urban environments.
Panel:
10:00am13:30pm Bst
yael reisner,seBastian andia, Melodie leunG,tiziano derMe,
MatHilde MarenGo,Martin zanGerl
Students: Christopher Sidestam, Yina Zou, Yuchi Zhang, YuShan Huang
Design: Guan Lee, Daniel Widrig, Christopher Fischlein
Technical: Bartlett B-made
Theory: Ruby Law
“tsunagi” is a design and research project exploring the connections between natural materials, landscapes, and spatial experiences in architecture. focusing on the art of joinery, it integrates simple building elements to form robust and dynamic structures. “tsunagi” combines nature with human skill, reviving traditional Japanese wood joinery techniques without mechanical fasteners by replacing timber interfaces with combinations of concrete and steel, timber and steel, and concrete and timber. this project highlights the significance of traditional craftsmanship and spatial aesthetics by challenging conventional materiality.
Students: SHUBHAM KHANVILKAR, YANG YE, YUJIE ZHANG
Design: Guan Lee, Daniel Widrig, Christopher Fischlein
Technical: Bartlett B-made
Theory: Ruby Law
this project tackles the challenges associated with architecture’s heavy reliance on cement in construction. By combining hempcrete and concrete, the research explores a sustainable alternative to traditional cast-in-place concrete. the project introduces a method of stacking bags filled with hempcrete, taking advantage of its slow setting time to create new design possibilities and structural solutions. this approach not only reduces the carbon footprint of construction but also offers greater flexibility in architectural design.
11:40 RC6 tIED
Design: Guan Lee, Daniel Widrig, Christopher Fischlein
Technical: Bartlett B-made
Theory: Ruby Law
this project examines the use of ancient lashing and weaving rope techniques in modern architecture. By incorporating slots, grooves, and holes, materials can be securely lashed together without additional fasteners. this method underscores the sustainable nature of reversible architecture and facilitates more efficient reuse of construction materials. this approach demonstrates the potential of rope-based construction within a circular economy of building.
Students: Cheng-wei Lee, Ruitong Xu, Lingjie feng & Yanxin Li
Design: Kostas Grigoriadis, Alvaro Lopez
Technical: Samuel Esses & Hanjun Kim
Theory: Ilaria Di Carlo
the project focuses on using concrete more efficiently by integrating topology optimization. this involves challenging traditional formwork and casting techniques to minimize waste and reduce the carbon footprint. the design approach involves using topology optimization and generative design testing with 2d and 3d software tools. it aims to improve the design of columns and slabs under various load conditions while considering multiple constraints. the process includes analyzing stress flow and optimizing porosity, and entails testing and evaluating the connection effects between structural components and porosity. to accomplish this, ar guidance is used to assemble metal cages that serve as both formwork and reinforcement elements.
15:00Pm17:55pm Bst
PanEL:
Students: Kaiyuan Ding,Pu Yan,weijie Zheng
Design: Déborah López Lobato, Haden Charbel.
Technical: Robert Fraser, Zehao Quin.
Theory: Albert Brenchat-Aguilar
the amazon rainforest has been severly deforested by the Br-163 highway in Brazil, where the felling of trees has lead to an ecologically destructive boundary condition known as the “edge effect”. ‘edge’ is a game where players take on the role of an indigenous naturalist, exploring the ecology of the rainforest and collecting materials to build animal attraction towers, the aim of which is to recruit relevant species in testing self-sustaining reforestation strategies. the objective is to resew the forest by growing the boundary line against the wasteland. the game takes place over four phases, toggling between human, non-human, and omniscient perspectives.
Students: Xinyi Chen, feng Gu, I-Hsiu Shen
Design: Déborah López Lobato, Haden Charbel.
Technical: Robert Fraser, Zehao Quin.
Theory: Albert Brenchat-Aguilar
Mining plays a crucial role in australia’s economy. However, most mining industries operate on indigenous lands, especially in the northern territory, causing ecological damage and conflicts that infringe on indigenous rights. Kakadu national Park, the largest natural park in australia, is simultaneously home to six distinct landscapes and one of the world’s largest uranium mines, ranger uranium Mine. though the mine is currently inactive, the ambitions of the mining company have not ceased. ‘sabotage’ proposes that the mine be assimilated and protected as part of the park by occupying the land and returning ecological stewardship to the indigenous people through landscape migration
Students: Mingze Ma; Yuqi Yang, Qisen wang
Design: Déborah López Lobato, Haden Charbel.
Technical: Robert Fraser, Zehao Quin.
Theory: Albert Brenchat-Aguilar
iceland is increasingly caught in an environmental and economic conundrum; the dependency on tourism, resource development, and glacier protection seem irreconcilable. ‘Half-dead’ confronts these contradictions by proposing a strategy that invovles sacrificing a part of the fragile glaciers to develop their geothermal and wind energy potential, whilst gaining the economic resources to preserve the robust glaciers, all the while maintaining tourist interest in their landscapes that sees infrastructure blur into land art.
Students: Li Jiang, Zheng fang, Zhao Haoyue, Dcruz Aurea, Varela Alencar Ponte, Camila
Design: Richard Beckett, Christopher Whiteside
Technical: Juan Cantu, Christoph Geiger, Hangchuan Wei, Aileen Hoenerloh
Theory: Yota Adilenidou
the research explores the development of novel ‘engineered living materials’ for architecture that exhibit animate material properties of self-healing, and environmental responsivness. challenging engrained architectural preferences for permenant and inert materials, the research integrates bacterial cellulose into biocompatible pulps which are then biologically activated in response to environmental expsoures once on the building. the research explores a ‘dirty elM’ approach where biomaterials are produced at large scale, using robotic workflows, in ways that are not dependant on sterile laboratory methodologies which are costly and limiting towards efforts for significant material change in architecture.
Students: Sulei Huang, Yuejun Zhang, Zekai Zhong, Yequan Hu
Design: Federico Borello, Cesar Fragachan
Technical: Christoph Geiger, Jennifer Durand
Theory: Alejandro Veliz Reyes
the flexfold Modular system aims to redefine the creative community model by providing a sustainably transformative alternative to the design and construction of creative spaces, addressing the scarcity of affordable studio space for artists and makers, especially in london. flexfold explores new strategies and tools in the architectural industry, including straight/curved crease technology strategy as well as modular prefabrication systems, which offer rapid transport, and assembly. these features ensure efficient, adaptable, and affordable maker spaces that can evolve with users’ needs. ultimately, flexfold contributes to the sustainability and growth of the uK’s creative construction industry by offering a novel, flexible, and adaptive model for creative spaces.
Students: AAMLAN SASwAt MISHRA,EDMUNDO BAUtIStA GONZALEZ,VIRAJ VIJAY GAVHANE,ZIYU wEI
Design: Stefan Bassing, Marios Tsiliakos
Technical: JJ Lee, Zehao Qin, Calin Craiu, Paul-Andrei Burghelea
Theory: Daria Ricchi
refront provides an integrated end-to-end platform for retrofitting building façades, addressing both aesthetic updates and energy efficiency. it aims to streamline and make retrofitting processes environmentally sustainable and economically viable. refront utilises computer vision to analyse high-resolution images of the building façade, proposing retrofitting solutions generated by highly versatile parametric cladding modules. the system does not only enhance the global performance of a building, but also caters for localised requirements adapting to program and scale. the facade modules of refront are produced using sustainable 3d printed materials and can be easily assembled or replaced on-site.
Students: JIAwEI CHEN, ZINUO CHEN, DAIYAN GU,YIDUO wANG
Design: Stefan Bassing, Marios Tsiliakos
Technical: JJ Lee, Zehao Qin, Calin Craiu, Paul-Andrei Burghelea
Theory: Daria Ricchi
innonest provides automated and dynamically customisable workspace solutions tailored specifically for start-ups, recognizing the inherent challenges that these face when scaling their business. innonest’s backend offers automated, data-driven space-planning of any given office space, while using its modular and mobile desk equipment/furniture allows for flexible and rapidly adaptable office spaces. catering to the needs of both managers and employees, innonest aims to rethink office space utilization with equipment that can be 3d-printed on demand, recycled or even exchanged with other startups.
Students: Sophia Baez, Suzan Amato, Vinay Kothari, Zijian Zhou
Design: Federico Borello, Cesar Fragachan
Technical: Christoph Geiger, Jennifer Durand
Theory: Alejandro Veliz Reyes
interX represents an initiative aiming to revolutionize power dynamics inherent in the architectural process, prioritizing the user choices. amid burgeoning urban landscapes teeming with everchanging demands, the norm of building for permanence persists. at its core lies the challenge of constructing buildings tailored for singular functions, thereby limiting adaptability when societal needs evolve. this prompts us to question how to establish a user-focused system in a world of perpetual change. our mission is to integrate gameplay in the architectural process to integrate collective intelligence. in doing so, we empower users by amplifying their control and influence over architectural spaces.
15:00Pm17:55pm Bst
Panel:
sille PiHlaK,KatHy VeliKoV, tHeo lalis,MatHias MaierHofer, Moritz dörstelMann
Design: Tyson Hosmer, Octavian Gheorghiu, Philipp Siedler
Technical: Ziming He, Baris Erdincer, Sergio Mutis
Theory: Jordi Vivaldi Piera
conest is an autonomous robotic system for modular bamboo construction. Bamboo offers a lightweight, strong, and highly sustainable construction material, yet due the variability of the material’s size and shape it remains over reliant on skilled labour and is not scalable. the project introduces a system of reversible joints to standardize structural bundles of bamboo for modular construction co-designed with distributed robots capable of assembling bamboo structures while navigating over them. the research includes developing different configurations of mechanical grippers, various forms / configurations of robotic arms, and the codesign of the material system while developing algorithmic growth logics and systems for generating assemblable forms of architecture for local communities in ethiopia where bamboo is abundant.
Students: Bingjie Zhang,Ji wu,Zhengshen wang
Design: Tyson Hosmer, Octavian Gheorghiu, Philipp Siedler
Technical: Ziming He, Baris Erdincer, Sergio Mutis
Theory: Jordi Vivaldi Piera
the project responds to the problems that arise in traditional building systems including wasted resources, environmental pollution, and high cost and time required when a change of use, regeneration, or renovation is required. transPace, integrates an environmentally adaptable tectonic system, collaborative multi-agent intelligence, and generative spatial algorithmic system. the adaptable tectonic system is developed as a collaborative multi-robot ecology with four types of distributed construction robots and a series of reversible building parts proposed as a new building typology to realize the efficient transformation across different building types through the continuous reconfiguration and adaptation of space. distributed construction robots include arm-like, wheel-based, and cable-based robots with a variety of robot cooperation modes to improve adaptiveness, efficiency, and energy use.
Students: Chenlu Yang,Xinyang wan,Jiafei Liu
Design: Tyson Hosmer, Octavian Gheorghiu, Philipp Siedler
Technical: Ziming He, Baris Erdincer, Sergio Mutis
Theory: Jordi Vivaldi Piera
Mo2 stands for “modular × mobile“. it is an autonomously adaptive robotic material system composed of active and passive components which are compatible of being connected or disconnected with each other on the fly through reversible joints in different combinations forming a multi-functional robotic swarm. this enables the system to adapt collectively by combining or break apart on the fly in different combined body plans and hybrid morphologies exhibiting variety of adaptive construction behaviours while communicating with a generative platform where users develop reconfigurable construction models. the project is developed as a multi-scalar system in which different combinations of small, medium, and large passive and active robotic modules adapt architectural structures for large scale construction.
Students: Seowoo Lee,Sihao Zhen, Kuan He
Design: Valentina Soana
Technical: Shahram Minoee Sabery
Theory: Panagiota Adilenidou,
flexi is a novel system that merges robotics with elastic materials to create a dynamic, shapemorphing structure capable of responding to and generating sound while interacting with humans. By strategically integrating robotic joints within elastic materials, flexi can autonomously form and transform architectural bending-active gridshell structures with minimal energy. this project delves into the core design and control strategies governing the system’s behavior, as well as interaction techniques. embedded within a cyber-physical control system, flexi operates in real time, responding to human and sound parameters.flexi generates new design possibilities by creating sound-responsive environments where the acoustic experience extends into threedimensional space, making architecture an active participant with humans and enhancing the sensory experience and interaction.
28.06 10:00am13:45pm Bst Panel: areti MarKoPoulou,Molly WriGHt steenson,roland snooKs, tHeo lalis,daniel KoHler, JaKuB KlasKa,andreW Witt
Students: Chengyu Cao, Haoze Feng, XinZhu Hu
Design: Annarita Papesch and Vincent Novak
Technical: Vincent Novak
Theory: Ilaria Di Carlo
The project explores the preservation of cultural heritage and local identity among immigrant communities in London by investigating strategies for the renovation and modernisation of areas of historical significance and cultural diversity, which foster stronger identity and social cohesion. The area of the Brixton Market served as a case study. The research used participatory design methodologies, which involved volunteers using sensing equipment to record emotional responses to sound, smell, and visual experiences. The data collected, including the recording of personal memories expressed during these augmented walks, was processed using machine learning to build 3D reconstructions of such experiences.
Students: Huang Junjie, Wu Rui, Yang Ziyu, Zao Zemin
Design: Zachary Fluker, Enriqueta Llabres Valls
Technical: Dimitra Bra, Tony Lee, Huang Sheng Yang
Theory: Huang Sheng Yang
This project explores the groundbreaking concept of granting legal rights to the Danube River, making it the first transnational river to receive such recognition. Inspired by Bruno Latour’s ‘Parliament of Things,’ this planetary project challenges traditional human-centred governance, advocating for a more inclusive approach to decision-making and environmental stewardship. The project involves creating a digital twin of the Danube River, accessible in the Metaverse. This virtual space allows inhabitants from different regions, both upstream and downstream, to interact within physical and digital environments. These interactions foster socialisation and community engagement while providing real-time data on river pollution. By integrating environmental data with social dynamics, the project seeks to promote sustainable management and preservation of the Danube River.
Students: wEN JUN tAN, ANQI
Design: Valentina Soana
Technical: Shahram Minoee Sabery
Theory: Panagiota Adilenidouv
Pneuma proposes a lightweight, self-forming, shape-morphing structure that adapts to various human conditions, creating an immersive sensory experience in public areas. the system integrates robotics with flexible materials to create an intelligent, dynamic structure with minimal resource requirements. By leveraging robotically actuated bending-active tensile and pneumatic hybrid systems, Pneuma autonomously morphs and reconfigures its form. this project delves into essential design and control strategies, as well as interaction techniques to explore human engagement. integrated within an advanced cyber-physical control framework, Pneuma operates in real time, delivering precise control data for its adaptive and responsive capabilities.this research enhances structural flexibility and opens new avenues for creating engaging, interactive spaces that support human activities and well-being in diverse public settings, both indoors and outdoors.
Students: Konstantinos Smigadis,Priscilla Maura,Selen Bektaş, Nujud Alangari
Design: Tyson Hosmer, Octavian Gheorghiu, Philipp Siedler
Technical: Ziming He, Baris Erdincer, Sergio Mutis
Theory: Jordi Vivaldi Piera
aniMa is a platform for cooperative housing communities, employing reconfigurable modular blocks and panels with construction robots inspired by natural builders to adapt their collaborative formations for complex tasks. through the modular robotic system and adaptive spatial planning algorithms, living spaces are adapted to residents’ needs and environmental changes. aniMa uses hybrid carbon-negative materials (mass timber & hempcrete), enabling a lightweight and durable circular economy where materials can be disassembled and recycled multiple times after their lifecycle. a multi-agent simulation and control system was developed and trained with reinforcement learning for adaptive construction. operating across multiple timescales, aniMa’s adaptive lifecycle facilitates real-time spatial adaptation.
Students: feng Peiyao, Li Siheng, Li Kexin, Zhu Yueyue, Shang Yixiu
Design: Richard Beckett, Christopher Whiteside
Technical: Juan Cantu, Christoph Geiger, Hangchuan Wei, Aileen Hoenerloh
Theory: Yota Adilenidou
Myco_colony explores biological assemblies of unruly materials and spatial ecologies, curating architectural tectonics that are constantly shifting through notions of growth, decay and permanance. challenging the fixed-time definition of architecutral layers, as element of the building decay, new parts are grown by occupants, and replaced according to the requirement of a shifting building program. the project develops a design methodology using Ml models trained on environmental data sets to inform multiple taxonomies of biological corbels. through the layering of simple components with multiple material mixes, we achieve intricate geometries and material gradients, controlling the lifespan and adaptation of each layer to the surrounding environment.
Students: Xuechen Huang, Yi Qiu, Chenyue Zhou
Design: Déborah López Lobato, Haden Charbel.
Technical: Robert Fraser, Zehao Quin.
Theory: Albert Brenchat-Aguilar
‘flow-fable’ gamifies the environmental crisis in chile’s atacama desert caused by the mining industry. it tells the story of Puri, a traveler guided by a mystical companion Khuru, who explores and solves various remediation tasks in the atacama desert. throughout the game players gain knowledge on how to repair soil through by growing and planting specific plants, as well as capturing water through fog catchers, enhancing their understanding while solving an ecological puzzle.
Students: Jiaqi Xu, Abdulaziz Khayat, Lu Yi
Design: Julian Besems, Andrew Porter
Technical: Julian Besems, Joris Putteneers, Ceel Pierik
Theory: Philippe Morel
Urban space reflects society and culture, cast from the movement of the general public. The complexity of human society leads to the complexity of the urban environment. It should not be simplified by the rule of authority and the pursuits of the times. Through this project, we are reintegrating the complexity of society and giving a more comprehensive and resilient understanding of the urban environment. We establish a vision that offers a counter-narrative urban environment that keeps evolving dynamically. By recontextualising the authoritative text, we further recontextualise the urban assets that link to them. It’s something between temporal and eternal – where we make the urban environment fluidly renew from the existing heritage.
15:00Pm18:15pm Bst
Design: Guan Lee, Daniel Widrig, Christopher Fischlein
Technical: Bartlett Bmade Workshop
Theory: Ruby Law
this project explores the use of traditional chinese mortise and tenon structures in contemporary design and architecture. the research began with a wooden toy called the luban lock (Burr Puzzle). the aim is to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to create a new design aesthetic and spatial language. through digital and manual fabrication techniques, two types of luban locks - the three-piece santong lock and the Hero lock - were transformed into modular components in a multi-scale architecture.
Students: Angeliki Ragava, Bryan Ruiz Morales, Shraddha Biyani & Jiaran tang
Design: Kostas Grigoriadis, Alvaro Lopez
Technical: Samuel Esses & Hanjun Kim
Theory: Ilaria Di Carlo
our project focuses on multi-materiality, aiming to create skin-like structures that seamlessly integrate recyclable plastics and wood byproducts, such as sawdust. these materials are blended based on their properties in a monocoque structure. our approach involves layering and blending materials based on various analyses, including structural and stress evaluations of individual components, exploration of diverse configurations and transparency levels, and performance under varying environmental conditions. our goal is to create structures that operate within a sustainable cycle. By utilizing waste products and recyclable materials, we aim to construct structures that can be efficiently recycled at the end of their lifespan, completing the sustainability loop. to achieve this, we use procedural design methods and 3d and robotic printing techniques to fabricate skins.
Students: Huang Kefan, Jian Xinyu, Lin Ziyu, Li Yuan
Design: Claudia Pasquero, Filippo Nassetti
Technical: Filippo Nassetti, Sheng Meng
Theory: Emmanouil Zaroukas
The relentless expansion of urban areas into global biodiversity hotspots has intensified the inherent conflict between urban development and biodiversity conservation with increasingly evident consequences. Reevaluating and reconstructing such relationship is a pivotal challenge part of the future ‘Urban Millennium’ nature conservation initiatives. In response to these strategies, our project focuses on the needs of urban wildlife and adopts ecological concepts learned from the use of deadwood in Epping Forest. By integrating computational design and artificial intelligence techniques, this project aims to restore, protect, and enhance biodiversity and the food chain. It seeks to create post-nature habitats for urban wildlife, offering new perspectives and approaches to the rewilding of urban ecosystems.
Students: Ananya Pandey, Sharima Achmad, Yang Shiyun
Design: Roberto Bottazzi, Tasos Varoudis
Technical: Margarita Chaskopoulou, Vassilis Papalexopoulos
Theory: Elly Selby
As climate change accelerates, the increasing frequency and severity of flooding event necessitate innovative and adaptable urban design solutions. Flooding poses a huge threat to cities, endangering lives, disrupting communities and causing extensive economic damage. Traditional infrastructure, often rigid and unyielding, struggles to cope with dynamic nature of our changing environment. The project seeks to provocatively address these imminent challenges by envisioning resilient urban landscapes. Public spaces and infrastructure are reimagined to foster social interaction and community resilience and simultaneously biodiversity hotspots, where nature can reclaim its part in the urban fabric aim at creating a harmonious co-existence between human and non-human that not only withstands but thrives amidst the challenges posed by rising water levels.
fENGMING
Design: Stefan Bassing, Marios Tsiliakos
Technical: JJ Lee, Zehao Qin, Calin Craiu, Paul-Andrei Burghelea
Theory: Daria Ricchi
uni-fair is a smart design system that addresses the long lead times in design during the pre-exhibition stage and wastage generated from traditional trade fairs after completion. uni-fairs automation backend system utilizes genetic optimisation to provide to provide both exhibitors and organisers predefined layouts, facilitating rapid, efficient and data informed planning. exhibitors can take advantage of its modular construction and assembly process using aluminium and plastic modules complemented with hyper-customized 3d printed finishes. uni-fair features an ai recommendation system for the design and customization of the exhibition booths with natural language as the medium -using mappings between llMs and cad elements, going beyond the scope of configurators.
Students: Jiajun Li, william(Jianfeng) Liu, Hanqing Xue, Qian Zhang
Design: Federico Borello, Cesar Fragachan
Technical: Christoph Geiger, Jennifer Durand
Theory: Alejandro Veliz Reyes
Horizon is designed to infuse flexibility, feasibility, and sustainability into architectural practices. it seeks to respond adaptively to users’ ever-changing needs and foster the democratization and decentralization of architectural practices. our approach incorporates advanced digital technologies with novel manufacturing and construction systems, including artificial intelligence and modular prefabrication systems, which support structures’ construction, deconstruction, and reassembly. the project aims to develop an architectural system that is no longer constrained or destined to become one or another. at its highest ambition, the system is an incubator for new, unexpected, and colorful forms of domestic life to emerge.
MOLLY wRIGHt StEENSON
Molly is the president and ceo of the american swedish institute, a 95 year-old museumand cultural center in Minneapolis (usa). an author and historian, for 20 years, her research has centered on ai, architecture, and generativity. at carnegie Mellon university, she is a tenured associate professor in the school of design and was vice
provost for faculty, senior associate dean for research in the college of fine arts, and held the inaugural K&l Gates associate Professorship of ethics & computational technology. she is the author of architectural intelligence: How designers and architects created the digital landscape (Mit Press, 2017) and the co-editor of Bauhaus futures (Mit Press, 2019). Her essay “a series of tubes” on the history of pneumatic tubepost received a notable mention in the Best american essays 2021. she holds a
Phd in architecturefrom Princeton university and a Med from the yale school of architecture.
friday 28.06.2024
22 Gordon St. Room 602, 6:45 PM
Generative AI is not new and its history is deeply architectural!
We are bombarded with messages that generative ai is a massive new paradigm ready to take overthe world and eat architects alive. yet it has a 70 years old—with deep roots in the field ofarchitecture, in collaborations between ai, engineers, and architects. in this lecture, we will look atwhat’s in that history. What’s behind this current rhetoric, what really might be at stake inarchitecture and design—and how we might chart our paths forward? Might we have more agency than we think?