Craig Buckley is an Associate Professor in the Department of the History of Art and affiliated with the Yale School of Architecture. His research bridges modern architecture with visual arts and media, focusing on techniques like montage, collage, and screen-based practices. Education: BA (Trent University), MA (University of Western Ontario), PhD (Princeton University) His work examines how media such as print, film, and digital screens shape architectural culture. Key themes include cinema architecture, media theory, and the intersection of design with socio-political movements like 1968 protests. His recent articles analyze topics such as colonial-era cinema architecture, media façades, and pneumatic structures. He teaches courses on architecture’s relationship with media and print culture, often utilizing Yale’s special collections.
Roger Boltshauser is a Full Professor and Deputy Head at the Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich. His practice and academic work emphasize tectonic building culture, proportion, and material experimentation, diverging from mainstream German-Swiss architectural trends. He combines teaching with active architectural practice, influencing younger generations at ETH and TU Wien. Key themes: Tectonic structures, grid-based order, social responsibility in architecture, critique of modernist canons Notable projects: Hochhaus H1 Zwhatt-Areal (2025), Masterplan Zoo Basel (2025), Centre for Dental Medicine Zurich (2025) His buildings prioritize mass and permanence , evident in projects like the Kopfholz School and Rauch House . Recent works at the EPFL Solar Biennale (2025) and Architecture of Memory exhibition (2025) explore sustainable design and cultural narratives. Boltshauser’s studio on Dubsstrasse exemplifies research into load-bearing structures and urban spatial relationships.
Professor Jiyuan Tu is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering at RMIT University's School of Engineering. He specializes in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), multiphase flows, and their applications in renewable/nuclear energy, biomedical engineering, and built environment systems. His research has led to over 500 peer-reviewed articles, 9 books, and $10M+ in ARC grants. He has supervised over 50 postgraduate students and received prestigious awards such as the RMIT Research Excellence Award (2012) and Fulbright Senior Scholar Award (2008). Research interests include CFD modelling of bioaerosol transport, drug delivery systems, and thermal energy storage. He pioneered numerical models for multiphase flows, contributing to software implementations in industries. Notable works include books on CFD and multiphase flow analysis, and leadership in international conferences like COBEE 2018. He holds honorary professorships at Tsinghua University and is Editor-in-Chief of the Experimental and Computational of Multiphase Flow journal. Industry experience includes roles at ANSTO (1996-2001). Awards span fellowships from JSPS, KOSEF, and Fulbright programs. Grants include ARC Discovery, Linkage, and LIEF projects. His work ranks him among the world’s top researchers in pebble bed reactors and airborne infection studies (SciVal 2016-2025).
Olga Fink is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the Department of Intelligent Maintenance and Operations Systems (IMOS) within the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC). She also holds roles in PhD program committees for Civil and Environmental Engineering (EDCE) and Robotics, Control, and Intelligent Systems (EDRS). Her research focuses on machine learning for infrastructure monitoring, predictive maintenance, and physics-informed AI models. She teaches courses on machine learning, data science for infrastructure, and advanced deep learning topics. Fink advises multiple PhD students and is involved in interdisciplinary projects such as ThermoNeRF (multimodal 3D thermal modeling) and physics-informed neural networks for fault diagnostics. Her work bridges AI and engineering with applications in smart infrastructure, energy systems, and industrial IoT. Education: PhD in Engineering (inferred from role) Affiliations: IMOS Lab, ENAC-SGC, EPFL PhD Committees (EDCE, EDRS) Key Research Themes: Explainable AI, Digital Twins, Structural Health Monitoring, Domain Adaptation Her publications (2023–2025) emphasize robust AI for industrial systems, including fault detection in high-voltage equipment, multimodal data fusion, and physics-consistent models. She collaborates on EU and industry-funded projects, focusing on real-world applications like predictive maintenance and energy efficiency.
Achim Menges is a Research Professor and Max Planck Fellow at the University of Stuttgart, where he directs the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD). His work bridges architecture, engineering, and computational design, with a focus on developing innovative construction methods and materials. Menges leads the Cluster of Excellence IntCDC: Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture, a major research initiative funded by the German Research Foundation. Menges' research centers on computational design, robotic construction, and biomimetic architecture, with particular emphasis on timber construction, adaptive building systems, and digital fabrication. His work integrates principles from bionics to create responsive, sustainable building systems that adapt to environmental conditions. Notable projects include the BUGA Wood Pavilion (2019), Urbach Tower, BUGA Fibre Pavilion, and the livMatS Biomimetic Shell, all demonstrating his commitment to material innovation and sustainable construction practices. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on advancing timber construction techniques, developing bio-inspired responsive systems, and implementing robotic fabrication processes. The research shows a clear trajectory toward more sustainable, resource-efficient building methods that integrate digital design with physical construction processes. Menges' work increasingly addresses multi-story timber systems and circular construction principles. Bauwende Prize der Universität Stuttgart 2025 Menges leads numerous research initiatives through the Cluster of Excellence IntCDC, securing significant funding for projects exploring computational design and robotic construction. His work involves extensive collaboration with industry partners and interdisciplinary research teams. Menges directs the ICD research laboratory, which focuses on developing novel computational design methods, robotic fabrication processes, and innovative material systems for architecture. The institute maintains strong partnerships with industry leaders in construction technology and materials science, facilitating the translation of research into practical applications.
Dr Luke Hespanhol is a Senior Lecturer in Design and Computation at the University of Sydney's School of Architecture, Design and Planning. He is affiliated with the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre and Sydney Nano Institute, and previously served as a guest researcher at Aarhus University's Department of Aesthetics and Communication. His work focuses on interactive media installations that foster reflection on human-environment relationships, blending urban design, technology, and social engagement. He holds a PhD in interactive media architecture from the University of Sydney's Design Lab, with research exploring user-centred hybrid urban environments. His doctoral work laid the foundation for his current interests in digital placemaking, urban informatics, and smart cities. Research Interests: - Designing technology-infused public spaces - Media architecture as a tool for inclusive urban development - Ethical implications of AI and blockchain in cultural contexts - Temporal and spatial dimensions of urban interaction design - HCI methodologies for multiperspectival cultural heritage interpretation - Antifragile city frameworks integrating citizen participation His recent publications highlight trends in reimagining urban futures through speculative design, ethical AI systems, and autonomous vehicle interaction paradigms. While no specific scientific awards are listed, his work often addresses critical societal issues like decolonization in technology and climate-resilient infrastructure. Grants and Collaborations: - 2025: 'Waste to Resilience: Sanitation Against Stunting and Climate Vulnerability in Informal Coastal Areas' (Sydney Southeast Asia Centre) - 2022: 'The Metaverse as Vehicle for Aboriginal Digital Inclusion, Wellness and Self-Determination' (Facebook Research) Dr Hespanhol is actively involved in the Media Architecture Institute and contributes to cross-disciplinary initiatives uniting technology, art, and urban planning. His research emphasizes co-creation processes with communities to ensure equitable technological integration in urban systems.
Marcos Cruz is Professor of Innovative Environments at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London (UCL), where he leads research in bio-integrated design. He runs Bio-ID with Dr. Brenda Parker, a multidisciplinary research platform investigating design driven by biotechnology, computation, materials, and fabrication. Previously, he served as Director of The Bartlett from 2010-2014 and founded the BiotA Lab (2014-2018). His academic career spans multiple institutions including University College London (where he ran MArch Unit 20 for 19 years), University of Westminster (2008-2010), UCLA (2010), and IAAC (2014-present). Professor Cruz holds a Licenciatura from ESAP Porto, a Masters with distinction from UCL, and a PhD from UCL (2007), sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. His doctoral research on 'Neoplasmatic Architecture' earned him the RIBA President's Research Award in 2008. He is a registered architect with both the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Portuguese Architecture Chamber. His primary research area is Bio-Integrated Design, which explores how biotechnology and computation can reshape our built environment in response to climate change. This work goes beyond using nature as inspiration; instead, it treats nature as the medium for a multi-layered design approach. His key research project, Poikilohydric Living Walls, investigates integrating growth systems directly on building facades using algae and mosses that can switch photosynthetic activity on and off without additional maintenance. Another significant research area is The Body in Architecture, which examines the relationship between human flesh and architectural flesh, proposing a 'thick embodied flesh' that creates truly inhabitable architectural interfaces. His recent publications demonstrate a strong progression toward integrating living systems directly into building materials and facades. The research spans from microbial to tectonic scales, with increasing focus on biomaterials, robotic fabrication, and sustainable design approaches that actively participate in urban ecosystems rather than merely responding to them. RIBA President's Research Award (2008) for 'Neoplasmatic Architecture' Multiple Best Unit awards at Bartlett Summer Show (awarded by Thom Mayne, Paul Finch, Richard Rogers, Claude Parent, and Ross Lovegrove) Work part of permanent collection at FRAC Orleans Exhibitions at Venice and São Paulo Biennales Professor Cruz has supervised numerous PhD students through UCL's Research-by-Design programme and currently directs the MArch/MSc in Bio-Integrated Design. His research has been supported by EPSRC and involves industrial partners including Laing O'Rourke, Pennine Stone Limited, and Amorim, with academic partners at UCL Biochemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, and IST Tomar. He co-founded MAM-ARCH London (formerly marcosandmarjan) in 2000, whose work has built buildings and pavilions, won international competitions including the Kunsthaus Graz, and been exhibited globally. His practice represents a significant bridge between architectural design and biological systems, positioning him at the forefront of bio-integrated architectural research.
Simo Hostikka is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Aalto University's School of Engineering. His research focuses on fire safety engineering , utilizing numerical fire simulations to address critical challenges in building and infrastructure safety. Key Expertise: Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) development, thermal radiation heat transfer, pyrolysis modeling, fire toxicity calculations, and probabilistic risk analysis. Leadership: Supervises advanced fire safety research and contributes to international fire safety standards. Research Trends: Recent publications emphasize fire toxicity modeling , hydrogen fire safety , radiation heat transfer , and fire retardancy of polymeric materials . His work bridges computational methods with real-world fire safety applications. Scientific Awards: Philip Thomas Medal of Excellence (2008, 2005) Sjölin Award (2012) Interflam Trophy (2007) Harmathy Award (2020, 2019) Dean’s Award for Best MSc Thesis (2020) Best Paper in Rakenteiden Mekaniikka (2009) Advising: Supervised Topi Sikanen, who received the Young Talent Award from the International Water Mist Association.
Jari Puttonen is a Professor of Structural Engineering at Aalto University's Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering. His research focuses on structural analysis, fire safety, materials science, and nuclear infrastructure safety. He has held roles as Principal Investigator in projects related to nuclear waste repository concrete modeling and aging management of NPP infrastructure. He has advised over 20 academic visitors and served in doctoral thesis committees. Education: Doctoral degree (1987), Licentiate (1984), and Master's degree (1979) in Engineering and Technology from Helsinki University of Technology (now part of Aalto University). Research Interests: Steel and composite materials behavior under extreme conditions Fire resistance of structural systems Long-term performance of concrete in nuclear facilities Non-destructive testing of construction materials Seismic resilience of critical infrastructure Awards: Recipient of the Knight, First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2020), PUUPalkinto 2010, and Schweighofer Prize 2011 for innovative energy facade research. Grants & Projects: Led 13 research projects including PERCO2_2023 (nuclear waste repository modeling) and CONAGE2022 (NPP concrete aging). Active in EU-funded initiatives and industry collaborations. Labs & Teams: Core member of Aalto's Structural Engineering Research Group, collaborating with Chalmers University and Technical University of Munich on advanced materials testing.
Filip Biljecki is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed at the Department of Architecture within the College of Design and Engineering and the Department of Real Estate at the NUS Business School, National University of Singapore. He is the founder and principal investigator of the NUS Urban Analytics Lab and was awarded the prestigious NUS Presidential Young Professorship in 2020. With over 150 peer-reviewed publications, his research bridges geomatic engineering, geospatial technologies, and urban data science to advance digital twins and data-driven urban planning. Dr. Biljecki's educational background includes: PhD in 3D GIS (cum laude), Delft University of Technology, Netherlands (2017) MSc in Geomatics, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands (2010) BSc in Geodesy and Geoinformatics, University of Zagreb, Croatia (2008) His research interests focus on emerging urban data sources, particularly urban imagery, and their application in 3D city modeling, digital twins, and GeoAI. He explores how crowdsourcing and open science can inform cutting-edge techniques for urban sensing and analytics at city-scale. His work significantly contributes to establishing smart cities through innovative methods that integrate recent advancements in computer science, geomatics, and urban data science. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on street view imagery applications for urban analytics, digital twin development, and geospatial AI. His research spans multiple domains including urban morphology, environmental assessment, public health applications, and urban comfort analysis. The interdisciplinary nature of his work is evident in collaborations with researchers from diverse fields, producing impactful studies that address complex urban challenges through innovative methodological approaches. His notable scientific achievements include: Annual Teaching Excellence Award (ATEA), 2025 College Educator Award AY2023/2024, 2025 Urban Informatics Paper of the Year Award, 2023 Top 2% scientists worldwide (Stanford University), 2021 Presidential Young Professorship (NUS), 2020 As an educator, Dr. Biljecki has supervised dozens of students leading to publications in leading journals and placements at top universities and organizations. He has delivered talks at over 120 universities and organizations worldwide including MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and ETH Zurich. His research is supported through various grants and affiliations including his role as Principal Investigator at the Future Cities Lab Global at the Singapore-ETH Centre. The NUS Urban Analytics Lab, which he established, brings together scholars from diverse disciplines to drive research on making cities smarter and more data-driven. The lab has developed innovative tools like ZenSVI for street view imagery analysis and has produced influential research on urban digital twins, urban morphology, and GeoAI applications. Through his leadership, the lab continues to pioneer methods that advance data-driven urban planning and smart city development.
Brian Kwok is an Associate Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Design, where he serves as Programme Leader of BA Communication Design and heads the Information Design Lab. His academic foundation includes an MA in Design from PolyU, complemented by an MA in Visual Culture Studies and MPhil in Communication from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. With over a decade of tenure at PolyU, Kwok co-founded the Information Design Lab in 2011 to advance research in practical design applications. Kwok's research explores the intersection of visual communication, cultural heritage, and urban environments. Primary domains include: Neon Signage Studies : Documentation and semiotic analysis of Hong Kong's vanishing neon landscapes Healthcare Communication : Typographic legibility for medication labeling targeting senior citizens Urban Ethnography : Spatial practices of street vendors and visual narratives in public spaces Cultural Preservation : Archival projects on Hong Kong's typographic heritage and vernacular design His publication corpus (2015-2023) demonstrates consistent focus on Hong Kong's visual culture evolution, with recurring themes: cultural identity in urban signage, typographic accessibility for vulnerable populations, and cinematic representations of urban change. Methodologically, he blends empirical studies (e.g., user testing of medicine labels) with visual semiotics and historical documentation. Awards recognize both scholarly and practical impact: GRF-funded research on neon sign preservation (2023) Arts Go Digital grant for cultural documentation (2021) HKDA Global Design Excellence Award (2017) Outstanding Paper Award for neon signage research (2017) As Lab Leader, Kwok oversees projects including medicine label optimization, wayfinding systems, and the Fading of HK Neon Visual Culture Project. He actively engages with public institutions through roles on the Public Libraries Advisory Committee and as external examiner for academic programs.
Adam Marcus is an Associate Professor of Architecture at Tulane University School of Architecture and serves as Research Director of the Center on Climate Change and Urbanism. He directs Variable Projects, an award-winning design and research studio operating at the intersection of architecture, computation, and fabrication, and is a partner in Futures North, a public art collaborative dedicated to exploring data aesthetics. His educational background includes: Master of Architecture from Columbia University Bachelor of Arts from Brown University Adam's research focuses on critical approaches to design computation, digital fabrication, and robotics, exploring how these technologies enable new modes of ecological, material, and public engagement. His work particularly emphasizes climate adaptation, buoyant ecologies for sea level rise, computational representation, and multispecies architecture. He integrates these interests through practical design-build projects that address ecological challenges while advancing architectural representation and fabrication techniques. His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on computational approaches to architectural representation and ecological design. The works consistently explore the intersection of digital technologies with ecological imperatives, particularly focusing on climate adaptation strategies, multispecies collaborations, and innovative drawing protocols that bridge analog and computational paradigms. His book 'Drawing Codes' represents a significant contribution to rethinking architectural drawing in the computational age. Notable awards include: Selected as one of the '30 Most Admired Educators' by Design Intelligence (2013) Recipient of the New Faculty Teaching Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (2016) Adam has served on ACADIA's Board of Directors from 2015 to 2021 and currently serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Architectural Computing. His teaching at Tulane includes design studios and courses in computational design and digital fabrication with ecological applications, building on his decade of experience at California College of the Arts where he co-founded the Architectural Ecologies Lab. He leads research initiatives through Tulane's Center on Climate Change and Urbanism, developing practical design solutions for ecological challenges, particularly those related to climate change and sea level rise. His Buoyant Ecologies Float Lab project exemplifies this approach, creating 'optimized upside-down benthos for sea level rise adaptation' that has received attention from major media outlets including Smithsonian Magazine and Architectural Record.
Jan Knippers is a Professor and Institute Director at the University of Stuttgart's Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning , leading the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) . He co-founded Knippers Helbig Advanced Engineering and established Jan Knippers Ingenieure in 2018 to focus on innovative fiber composite and timber structures. Key roles: Deputy Executive Director of Cluster of Excellence IntCDC , former Vice-Rector for Research (2019-2021), and Dean of Faculty of Architecture (2021-2023) Technical focus: Hybrid FRP-Timber systems, computational design, and biomimetic principles His projects include the 2024 Hybrid Flax Pavilion , Urbach Tower (2024), and BUGA Fiber Pavilion (2019). He contributes to European standardization committees and serves as 2024 Leverhulme Visiting Professor at University College London.
Renate Sachse is a Researcher and Responsible Investigator at the Chair of Structural Analysis, Technical University of Munich (TUM), under Prof. Kai-Uwe Bletzinger. She holds a Dr.-Ing. from the University of Stuttgart and has held postdoctoral positions at Harvard University (Bertoldi Lab) and TU Munich's Institute for Computational Mechanics. Her research focuses on biomimetic adaptive structures, biomechanics, and smart materials. Education M.Sc. in Civil Engineering (University of Stuttgart, 2014) – Thesis: "Isogeometric Contact Analysis of Thin-Walled Structures" B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (University of Stuttgart, 2011) – Thesis: "Elementary School Pavilion Structural Analysis" Study Abroad: École Spéciale des Travaux Publics (ESTP, France, 2012) Research Interests Her work integrates principles from biology and mechanics to design adaptive structures, including motion design, soft robotics, and active metamaterials. Notable projects include studying snapping mechanisms in plants (e.g., Venus flytrap) and developing bio-inspired systems like Flectofold shading devices. She also explores isogeometric analysis and structural optimization for thin-walled and slender structures. Grants & Awards Bertha Benz Prize 2022 (Daimler and Benz Foundation) Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellowship (€80,000 interdisciplinary grant) 3rd Place AVK-Prize for Innovations (2017, Flectofold Shading System) GAMM Juniors Fellowship (2020–2022) Teaching & Grants She teaches advanced finite element methods and nonlinear mechanics at TUM and has supervised projects in computational mechanics. Her grants include CareerDesign@TUM funding and the Klaus Tschira Fellowship for high-risk, interdisciplinary research. Labs & Teams Associated with the Chair of Structural Analysis at TUM, collaborating on projects like livMatS (Living Materials Systems) and the Harvard SEAS Bertoldi Lab. Involved in software development (e.g., Carat++, Kiwi!3d) and third-party initiatives (CoDA, FlexWing).
Mustafa Gül is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering. He also serves as Director of Internationalization at the Faculty of Engineering’s Deans Office. His research focuses on smart, sustainable, and resilient cities, with an emphasis on infrastructure monitoring and energy-efficient systems. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering (University of Central Florida, 2009), MSc in Electrical Engineering (University of Central Florida, 2011), MSc in Civil Engineering (Boğaziçi University, 2004), BSc in Civil Engineering (Boğaziçi University, 2002). Dr. Gül’s research spans two primary domains: Crowdsensing-based Monitoring of Built and Natural Environments (CoMBiNE) using AI, signal processing, and data analytics for infrastructure health; and Energy-Efficient Smart Cities through solar PV integration, IoT applications, and net-zero energy homes. His work bridges structural engineering, machine learning, and sustainable urban development. Recent publications highlight advancements in smartphone-based damage detection, UAV-assisted disaster assessment, and AI-driven energy systems. His team’s work on crowdsensing bridges, solar PV optimization, and smartphone analytics has been widely recognized in journals like Structural Control and Health Monitoring and Energy and AI . Notably, his 2017 paper earned the Best Paper Award at ISARC. Students supervised include Azim, R. , Keskin, M. , and Do, N. T. , among others. Scientific Awards: Best Paper Award, 34th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2017) Dr. Gül’s projects often involve interdisciplinary collaboration, leveraging sensor networks, computer vision, and optimization algorithms to address urban resilience and energy sustainability. His leadership extends to course CIV E 779 and ongoing research initiatives in Alberta, Canada.
