Master in Advanced Computational Design for Architecture

João is an architect specialised in the integration of computational design workflows with traditional design methodologies, investigating in the fields of interoperability and automatization. He obtained his masters degree at FAUP ( Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto) in Porto and MOME (Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design) in Budapeste. Recently, he graduated with a Master for Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design at IAAC. He has worked as a BIM consultant, gaining valuable experience on the challenges of collaborative strategies for project implementation. Recently he founded SOMA, a design practice working on potentiating social and community projects through computational methodologies (participatory strategies, digital fabrication and machine learning).

Luis E. Fraguada is a developer at McNeel Europe in Barcelona, specializing in helping people build great things with Rhinoceros’ development tools. Luis enjoys extending the reach of Rhino beyond the desktop and has been involved in the development of Rhino.Compute and rhino3dm.js. Luis is also involved in research at McNeel Europe, currently developing software prototypes for several H2020 funded projects.

In academia, Luis has taught internationally, and has been an AEC technology expert at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia for over 10 years. Luis holds a Masters of Architecture and Urbanism from the Architectural Association in London.

Architect, educator and researcher studying concepts and design methodologies emerging from the use of digital design and its immersion into the architectural praxis, with emphasis in architectural theory, built shell structures, robotic fabrication techniques, and bio-climatic design. She holds degrees of Architect (U. of Chile), a Master of Advanced Architecture (IAAC), a Master of Architectural Design (ETSAB-UPC), and a PHD International Mention “Cum Laude” distinction (ETSAB-UPC). She is currently senior faculty at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) leading the Architectural Building Technology-Architectural Elective, and senior faculty at IAAC. Her academic experience includes several universities, including IaaC, LCI, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), University of Chile, ETH Zurich, where she has been faculty, visiting lecturer or jury member. Her working experience includes several architectural firms in Chile, GBL architects as associate (Canada), collaborations with the Barcelona Municipality and the Barcelona Regional Agency, research with MuDD architects (Spain) and partner at B3 Arquitectes (Chile). Her ground-breaking work has been featured in several international publications and exhibits, and she has received several awards for her built and research work, including the ACADIA 2017 research award on Robotic Fabrication for Monolithic Earthen Shells, during the Disciplines & Disruption Project Exhibition for her collaboration with Stephanie Chaltiel.

Manja van de Worp is the director of YIP Structural Engineering London, holding Master degrees in Architecture, Structural Engineering and in Emergent Technologies and Design. She is a structural engineer with 15 years professional experience in the Construction Industry focusing on Structure Geometry and Fabrication, while teaching at the RCA, & IAAC. She has worked for Arup in London in the Advanced Geometry Unit and at the Advanced Technology and Research group in ARUP, designing structures with a complex geometry and moveable structures.

Manja has Launched YIP (former NOUS engineering LONDON) in 2013 an engineering consultancy bearing extensive knowledge of advanced structural analysis tools, complex structural systems, materials and fabrication technologies. Current projects involve a FRP shell and a modular steel roof structure. YIP also focuses on structural product design and research based projects, looking at innovative ways to use timber, 3d printing of concrete, searching how materials not conventionally used in structural design and how they could find their way into building engineering.

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Mark Balzar is an architect and researcher. He is co-founder of the research-based studio OpenFields in Vienna. Currently, he is a Senior Researcher at the University of Applied Arts Vienna researching on the symbiotic relationship of technology, the biological realm, and the humanities with a focus on scientific theory, energy science, information theory and philosophy. He was a University Assistant (2018-2019) in the Department of Theory of Architecture where he is currently pursuing his PhD research.
He has gained several years of professional experience leading projects in design and conceptual theory at various levels at Wolfgang Tschapeller, OMA/AMO – Rem Koolhaas in Rotterdam and participated on projects with Coop Himmelb(l)au and CAP Vienna amongst others. He received his Master Degree (History and Theory) with distinction under the supervision of Prof. Kari Jormakka from the ATTP at the Technical University of Vienna with his exhibited survey “the technological mind of architecture: the concrete and abstract machines”. Prior to his diploma he also studied at the University of Fine Arts Vienna (Masterclass: Farshid Moussavi) and at the E.T.S.A.M. with Juan Herreros.

After two periods of internship in Modelical, Óscar finished his bachelor in Architecture (2015) in IE University, Segovia. Since his first year there, Óscar was involved in parametric modelling, especially Grasshopper, Rhinoceros and scripting. Nowadays, those computer concerns are related to virtual reality, where modelling and scripting mix in a new way to understand architecture.

In addition, he has developed strong skills about complex modelling and parametric control of large projects, highlighting the Nativity facade modelling of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, or the advisory of New Santiago Bernabéu Stadium facade.

Oana Taut is a Romanian architect and computational designer specialised in the field of AI in architecture. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Advanced Architecture from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia.

Oana is the co-founder and CPO of Infrared City where she leads product efforts with the goal of enabling AI powered environmental simulations as a driver for urban climate resilience. Oana is also a dedicated educator leading studios and seminars on topics related to AI and algorithmic design in various master programs at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia.

Her overall professional aim is to design quality space based on objective data, and materialise it in a sustainable wa

Rodrigo Aguirre is a Nicaraguan architect based in Barcelona since 2011. He studied architecture at the American University-UAM of Nicaragua and has a master’s degree in advanced architecture from the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia-IAAC.

As an architect and researcher, he has specialised in algorithmic design and design engineering applied to new manufacturing technologies such as digital fabrication, robotic fabrication, and 3D printing.

He has more than 8 years of experience in the use of parametric tools and teaching, being an instructor of computational design on different platforms. At the IaaC, his work as a professor/researcher tries to question the relationship between the designer, computer representation, and matter. Seeking in this way, through the development of design processes, to push the limits of form, structure, and space.

His expertise has led him to participate in international workshops in Iran, Russia, Brazil, Egypt, England, and China, as well as in the Versailles Architecture and Landscape Biennial.

He currently works at the architectural firm Mangueras Yvars architects-MYAA as a senior computational design specialist.

Sarah Mokhtar is an architect with research and professional interests at the intersection of design, computation and performance simulation. She is currently pursuing a PhD in the Building Technology program at MIT. She completed a M.Sc. in Adaptive Architecture and Computation from the Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL) in 2016, and a B.Sc. in Architectural Engineering from the American University in Cairo (AUC) in 2014. Prior to MIT, as Senior Environmental Performance Designer | Applied Research at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), Sarah spearheaded applied research projects in the fields of machine learning, simulation and computation, and managed KPF’s Environmental Performance (KPFep) team in the London office. She worked on developing computational simulation tools and applying environmental performance analysis to support evidence-based design within KPF’s work. Before joining KPF, Sarah worked as an architect for various well-established practices, and conducted research and taught at UCL and AUC.

A Paris native, Stanislas is a Data Scientist & Architect at Spacemaker.ai. He received his undergraduate degree in Architecture at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne, and his Master in Architecture from Harvard University. Focusing his practice around Architecture and Technology, his work mainly tackles the integration of Artificial Intelligence in the design process. He has previously worked at internationally renowned firms, including Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill in Chicago, Shigeru Ban Architects in Tokyo, Flux.io in San Francisco, Helix.RE in London, and others.

A Paris native, Stanislas is a Data Scientist & Architect at Spacemaker.ai. He received his undergraduate degree in Architecture at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne, and his Master in Architecture from Harvard University. Focusing his practice around Architecture and Technology, his work mainly tackles the integration of Artificial Intelligence in the design process. He has previously worked at internationally renowned firms, including Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill in Chicago, Shigeru Ban Architects in Tokyo, Flux.io in San Francisco, Helix.RE in London, and others.

Xavier is Head of Design at international design practice Hassell, where he leads design technology and innovation across all disciplines and regions. For the last decade, Xavier has been an industry leader in the field of parametric design, digital fabrication and additive manufacturing. Prior to joining Hassell, he was Co-head of Foster+Partner’s internal research and development team where he worked on the Apple Headquarters, Kuwait and Beijing Airport, Yachtplus and the NBK Headquarters.

At Hassell, Xavier is developing the practice’s global digital design strategy for computational design, building information modelling, visualisation and virtual reality. Alongside this he is developing technology for cross-studio design review processes. In recent years, Xavier has built up a portfolio of architecture in extreme environments with a particular focus on space with habitat projects for clients such NASA and ESA.

Xavier is also a Director of Smartgeometry, a non-profit educational organisation for computational design and digital fabrication. This organisation has grown to become an independent worldwide network for computational and digital design specialists. Xavier has held academic positions at Syracuse University (London), University of Ghent (Belgium) and The Bartlett (London).

Zeynep Aksöz is an architect and computational designer. She is one of two partners of Vienna based design and research collective Open Fields. Currently she is a Research Associate and a lecturer at University of Applied Arts Vienna, an Assistant Professor at TU Vienna in Department for Structural Design, also a part of the Karamba3d Team.
Through her ongoing research, teaching and practice Zeynep explores generative design processes and the implementation of AI based processes into design, architecture, and urbanism. Her focus lies in developing emergent design approaches through the collaboration of human and artificial intelligence.
Zeynep received her Doctoral degree from the University of Applied Arts Vienna at the Institute of Architecture under supervision of Klaus Bollinger. She was a Marie Curie Fellow and an early stage researcher as part of the international training network Innochain. She holds a MArch degree from the Architectural Association of London’s Emergent Technologies and Design Program and Msc degree from TU Wien.
Zeynep received a Master of Architecture degree from Architectural Association London’s Emergent Technologies and Design Program where her research was framing evolutionary design methodologies in Architecture. She also holds a Master of Science degree from Technical University Vienna.

Aleksander is an architect and computational designer with a strong focus on the newest technologies in the field. His biggest drivers are different means of applying scripting, programming and ML into the architectural world.

Aleksander is currently working at Zaha Hadid Architects as an Assistant Analyst in the Sustainability Team. His educational background consists of a Master’s degree in Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design in 2021 at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia as well as participation in a Master in Advanced Architecture Erasmus+ Exchange in Dessau Institute of Architecture.

Aleksandra is a structural engineer with five years of international experience. She has worked for AECOM and Arup in Poland, and Walter P Moore in the US. Aleksandra graduated from MaCAD in 2021 with a master thesis on the use of machine learning for design space exploration. She is interested in how automation and new technologies can transform structural engineering.

Andrés holds a BArch+MArch from IE University, and has completed postgraduate studies in Project Management (Pompeu Fabra University) and GIS Development (Esri). He is currently a BuiltTech Specialist Architect at Modelical, where he develops his interest in the opportunities for improvement offered by new digital tools in all phases of AEC projects.

Aris Vartholomaios is a postdoctoral researcher of the School of Architecture of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) on environmental urban analysis and design. He holds a Diploma in Land Surveying Engineering from AUTh (2009), an MA in Urban Design with Distinction from Oxford Brookes University (2010) and a PhD in Environmental Urban Design from AUTh (2016). Currently he is currently teaching on contract at the School of Planning and Development at AUTh and is conducting cutting-edge research on urban energy metamodeling via Machine Learning. For his academic performance he has been awarded with the ‘Marie-Curie Seal of Excellence’, the IKY-Siemens PhD fellowship, the ‘Designing Creative Synergies 2014’ student award and a Distinction from the Technical Chamber of Greece. His academic interests focus on sustainable and resilient cities, the urban microclimate and passive/low energy buildings and neighborhoods. As an environmental design consultant, he has been involved in the regeneration of key public spaces in Greece, including the squares of Karamanli, Eleftherias and Fanarioton.

Dai is an Egyptian architect who graduated from Faculty of Engineering – Ain Shams University in Cairo (2018). She obtained her master’s degree in parametric design in architecture from MPDA – UPC Barcelona Tech (2020). Her research focuses on applications of machine learning in structural optimization of gridshells.

Fun is an architectural designer at London-based Architectural practice Mamou-Mani Ltd., specializing in generative design and fabrication processes. Her work incorporates research, parametric design, and fabrication management. She is also a faculty assistant at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) and has been giving Grasshopper 3D workshops at the Architectural Association in London.

She holds an MSc (Distinction) in Emergent Technologies and Design from the Architectural Association (2019) and a BSc (Hons) in Creative Media and Computer Science joint degree from City University of Hong Kong (2016).

Hager El-Sokaily is an architect with experience in the architectural and research fields. She is currently pursuing an M.Sc. in Building Science and Technology at (TU Wien) and an M.Sc. in Architectural and Environmental Design at (AASTMT). She finished her B.Sc. in Architectural Engineering and Environmental Design at (AASTMT) in 2012. Hager worked as an architect and team coordinator on mega projects for prominent architecture firms in Egypt and as a building physicist intern for the (AIT) in Vienna.

Joanna is a Space Computational Designer at Hassell Studio, investigating new models of construction, fabrication and matter in extraterrestrial and extreme environments. Her particular interest lies in evolving the potential of computer aided design methods and new fabrication tools to generate innovative and sustainable design.

She graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen at CITA studio, exploring holistic design frameworks and robotic fabrication of construction with novel fungi and algae-based plastics. Her professional experience includes working as an Architect in Tokyo at Kengo Kuma as well as in Copenhagen at Bjarke Ingels Group and 3XN/GXN. Joanna was involved in the projects like Mars Science City, the Twist Museum and IOC Headquarters. Currently, she is focused on development of design and construction on the Moon.

Krishna Bhat, MSc AA, BFA has an MSc degree in Emergent Technologies and Design from the Architectural Association where his work specialized in computational design and advanced digital fabrication. An expert in parametric modelling, Krishna started working at Mamou-Mani Architects in 2019, and has since been involved in a wide range of projects. His interests include generative design at an architectural and urban scale, integrating complex geometry, environmental and structural analysis. Prior to his masters at the AA he had 5 years of work experience in Qatar and India.

Lea Khairallah is an Architect and Computational designer from Beirut, based in Paris where she is working as a BIM architect. She received her advanced master degree in computational design, digital manufacturing and building technologies from Ecole des Ponts ParisTech. Her thesis focused on the development of a tool using Machine learning in order to help reduce urban heat island effects in urban areas. She also participated in the development of the MESH tool with Franck Boutté Consultants, a parametric tool for environmental and urban studies.

Trained as an architectural designer in the UK, Levent Ozruh was educated at the University of Edinburgh and UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture (RIBA Part 1 and Part 2 degrees respectively). In between his two degrees, he was a researcher at MIT’s Senseable City Lab. Previously, he worked as an Architectural Assistant for Carlo Ratti Associati and Coop Himmelb(l)au. Currently, Levent is part of the Space Architecture team at Hassell, working on projects on the moon as well as the Lower Earth Orbit. In addition to Space Architecture, Levent is engaged in the fields of computational design and procedural design. Previously, Levent was a Teaching Fellow at the Bartlett School of Architecture, co-leading both undergraduate and graduate design studios as well as teaching specialist computational skills to a wide range of studios and programmes across the school.

Nariddh is a PhD candidate at the City Intelligence Lab, interested in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence models as web platforms. In particular, he focuses his efforts at the intersection of how AI models can best be positioned for the most effective uptake by those in the architecture industry.
He has studied computational design and philosophy at the University of New South Wales, conducted internships at Architectus and Arup, and is currently undergoing his PhD studies at the Austrian Institute of Technology and the Bauhaus University, Weimar.
His PhD research efforts have been toward the Intelligent Framework for Resilient Design (InFraReD), a web platform that offers predictions for microclimate urban simulations powered by deep learning. Through his research, Nariddh hopes to contribute to a future where every architect and designer has the power, efficiency, and omnipotence of AI-enhanced tools at their fingertips.

Serjoscha is a PhD Candidate in the City Intelligence at the Austrian Institute of Technology in Vienna. He teaches at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, the Bauhaus University in Weimar and the University of applied arts Vienna.
Before joining the AIT, he studied economics and china studies at the university of Hamburg and Integrated Urban Development and Design at the Bauhaus University Weimar and Tongji University Shanghai.
His research interest lies in cities as complex systems and the interplay of spatial configurations with socio-economic patters of self organization. For his PhD he focuses on developing integrated workflows for performance driven urban design and simulation.

Serjoscha is interested in applying spatial data analysis with simulation methods in the realm of performance driven urban planning and design with a particular interest in the intersection of top?down driven development and evolutionary city growth.