Education
Publications
Master of Architecture (August 2021 to December 2023) University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (GPA 3.85)
Peer-reviewed Paper Bindlish, S., M Marji, Z., Aghaei Meibodi, M. (2023). Cavity Shell: Sequential Cast-in-Place Method to Create Compression-Only Structures with Ultra-Thin Additively Manufactured Form-work Assemblies. ACADIA 2023: Habits of the Anthropocene: scarcity and Abundance in a Post-Material Economy.
Master of Science Digital and Material Technologies (July 2022 to May 2023) University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (GPA 3.91) Diploma of Digital Fabrication (January 2021 to July 2021) The Fab Foundation at Techworks Amman Bachelor of Architecture and Design (September 2015 to July 2020) Jordan University of Science and Technology (GPA 3.32)
Filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application M Marji, Z., Bindlish, S., Aghaei Meibodi, M. Sequential Cast-in-Place Method to Create Compression only Structures with Additive Manufactured Form-work Assemblies. UM Invention No. 2023-425. US Patent Application No. (63/461,159). 2023/04/21 (Patent Pending).
Experience
Skills & Tools
Research Assistant (March 2023 to December 2023) DART Laboratory with Prof. Dr. Mania Aghaei Meibodi
Methods: Workflow Optimization, Computational Design, Fabrication Automation, and Computational Simulation.
Graduate Student Instructor (August 2023 to December 2023) ARCH 509 Computational Design with Prof. Dr. Mania Aghaei Meibodi
Design: Rhinoceros, Grasshopper, AutoCAD, Revit, Sketchup, Adobe suite, Fusion 360, Solidworks, Blender, Maya, ZBrush, and Unreal Engine.
Graduate Student Instructor (August 2022 to December 2022) ARCH 537 Fabrication with Associate Prof. Tsz Yan Ng Research Assistant and Research Fellow (January 2022 to January 2023) With Associate Prof. Sean Ahlquist Design Fellow (January 2021 to July 2021) Crown Prince Foundation - TechWorks Amman Architect/Site Engineer (December 2019 to April 2020) Farah Architects
Programming: Python, Rhinoscript, Processing, C, and ArduinoC . Fabrication: Kuka Robots, UR Robots, CNC, 3D Printing, Molding, Wood Works, Waterjet, Welding, PCB Circuit Design, Arduino, Digital Sewing, and Vinyl Cutter. CAM: MasterCam, KUKAPRC, Robots, V-Carve, and Fusion 360. Render: V-ray, Lumion, Keyshot, and Cycles (Blender).
Project Designer (April 2018 to June 2019) Jordan Green Building Council - The Green Affordable Homes project Fabrication Assistant (July 2017 to October 2017) Uraiqat Architects with architect Moushira Elamrawy
z a id mma rji. c o m
Zaid Marji
zma rji @umic h.edu (7 3 4 ) 968- 3155 Ann A r bor , M I za i d m m ar ji. c om
Profile An architect and computational designer specializing in digital fabrication and technology integration. Proficient in leveraging computational, digital fabrication, and programming tools to optimize and automate design and construction processes and currently seeking a full-time position to synergize design, fabrication, and technology expertise for transformative projects.
Education Master of Architecture (August 2021 to December 2023) University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (GPA 3.85) Focused on integrative design, sustainability, building codes, fabrication, and BIM modeling. Master of Science Digital and Material Technologies (July 2022 to May 2023) University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (GPA 3.91)
Specialized in robotic fabrication, design and material innovation, system design, automation, structural optimization, coding, large-scale 3D printing, concrete construction, machine design, metal fabrication, and prototyping.
Diploma of Digital Fabrication (January 2021 to July 2021) The Fab Foundation at Techworks Amman Bachelor of Architecture and Design (September 2015 to July 2020) Jordan University of Science and Technology (GPA 3.32)
Completed a comprehensive curriculum in architectural design and theory, structural design, and construction.
Experience Research Assistant (March 2023 to December 2023) DART Laboratory with Prof. Dr. Mania Aghaei Meibodi
Led research integrating 3D graphic statics and robotic printing for large-scale construction elements, optimizing material use. Published a peer-reviewed paper on 3D graphic statics and Robotic Additive Manufacturing. Achieved a 75% material reduction and filed one pending patent.
Graduate Student Instructor (August 2023 to December 2023) ARCH 509 Computational Design with Prof. Dr. Mania Aghaei Meibodi
Guided graduate students in computational design, specializing in structural optimization and materialization workflows. Co-taught 30 students, applying 3D graphic statics for computational design workflows.
Graduate Student Instructor (August 2022 to December 2022) ARCH 537 Fabrication with Associate Prof. Tsz Yan Ng
Led the WaterJet section, guiding CAM file prep and instructing metal bending/finishing for graduate students. Trained 70 students in CAM for waterjet cutting and metal work, emphasizing effective communication and hands-on teaching.
Research Assistant and Research Fellow (January 2022 to January 2023) With Associate Prof. Sean Ahlquist
Contributed to crafting intricate components for a featured Playscape at the Common Sense Festival. Engineered a soft actuator design for a textile-hybrid sensory playscape and optimized production efficiency by 30%.
Design Fellow (January 2021 to July 2021) Crown Prince Foundation - TechWorks Amman
Explored digital fabrication for cultural heritage, innovating an automated Mashrabia—a versatile unit integrating light, motors, and sensors.
Architect/Site Engineer (December 2019 to April 2020) Farah Architects
Directed design and construction for residential and commercial projects, ensuring seamless execution.
Project Designer (April 2018 to June 2019) Jordan Green Building Council - The Green Affordable Homes project
led the design phase of The Green Affordable Homes project, creating sun-shading devices through innovative upcycling.
Fabrication Assistant (July 2017 to October 2017) Uraiqat Architects with architect Moushira Elamrawy
Participated in Amman Design Week installations, specializing in assembling a kinetic facade cube with 500 motors.
Publications
Peer-reviewed Paper Bindlish, S., M Marji, Z., Aghaei Meibodi, M. (2023). Cavity Shell: Sequential Cast-in-Place Method to Create Compression-Only Structures with Ultra-Thin Additively Manufactured Form-work Assemblies. ACADIA 2023: Habits of the Anthropocene: scarcity and Abundance in a Post-Material Economy.
Filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application M Marji, Z., Bindlish, S., Aghaei Meibodi, M. Sequential Cast-in-Place Method to Create Compression only Structures with Additive Manufactured Form-work Assemblies. UM Invention No. 2023-425. US Patent Application No. (63/461,159). 2023/04/21 (Patent Pending).
Awards Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant (2023) For the Cavity Shell Project by Rackham graduate school. Master of Science Digital and Material Technologies Fellowship (2023) Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning with Associate Prof. Sean Ahlquist. Featured Project Award - Fab Foundation (2021) For the Final project of Fab Academy - Awarded by Prof Neil Gershenfeld. Zain Innovation Center Scholarship (ZINC) (2020) Digital fabrication for cultural heritage research. Social Entrepreneurship Seed Grant By The European Union (2018) For Maskan Project for affordable rooms. Amman Design Week Student Program (2017) Design brands and products for women Micro-funds.
Skills & Tools Methods: Workflow Optimization, Computational Design, Fabrication Automation, and Computational Simulation. Design: Rhinoceros, Grasshopper, AutoCAD, Revit, Sketchup, Adobe suite, Fusion 360, Solidworks, Blender, Maya, ZBrush, and Unreal Engine. Programming: Python, Pythonscript, Rhinoscript, Processing, C, and ArduinoC . Fabrication: Kuka Robots, UR Robots, CNC, 3D Printing, Molding, Wood Works, Waterjet, Welding, PCB Circuit Design, Arduino, Digital Sewing, and Vinyl Cutter. CAM: MasterCam, KUKAPRC, Robots, V-Carve, and Fusion 360. Render: V-ray, Lumion, Keyshot, and Cycles (Blender).
Languages English, Arabic, and French.