SU Yunsheng

Executive Dean of Shanghai International Design Innovation Research Institute and adjunct professor at Damstein University in Germany. Proficient in interdisciplinary and cross scale planning of artificial intelligence cities, as well as innovative design of intelligent spatial products and service systems within cities. Participated in the planning and design of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai throughout the entire process. Previously, participated in the conceptual planning of the Tongzhou Sub Center in Beijing, as well as the protection and development planning of many historical villages and towns, including the six towns in Jiangnan. Later, participated in planning projects for nearly 10 international cities in Angola, Zambia, and Russia.

DONG Nannan

He is coordinating series of Sino-German BMBF projects in the field of green infrastructure and ecological restoration, low-carbon urban design and resource recycling.

He has been focusing on the R&D of interdisciplinary green technology for Chinese low carbon development. His research interests include the performance and construction of building greenery in high-density cities, precise restoration technology for rural ecological space, and energy landscape integrated green technology based on the goal of double carbon development.

Jarmo Suominen

Jarmo Suominen

Jarmo Suominen has background from Architecture and Design and is working in both of these fields. His research on service logic in architecture and design will enable service driven urban development in novel and sustainable way. Current research is focusing on the new ways of learning, working, and living based on service logic and innovation. He has received numerous grants and over 5 million euros worth of funding for research projects he has led. He has strong understanding both of academic requirements and practicalities of business life. He has led various multidisciplinary projects among industry, academia and public organizations. Jarmo Suominen has won numerous architectural competitions and has got prizes from 20 architectural and design competitions.

Kostas Terzidis

Previously, he was an associate professor at Harvard University Graduate School of Design (2003-2011) and assistant professor at the University of California at Los Angeles (1995-2003).   He holds a PhD from the University of Michigan, a Masters from Ohio State University, and an engineering diploma from Aristotle University.  His areas of concentration are language, algorithmic design, and AI.  He is author of numerous academic papers and the sole author of four academic books: Permutation Design (Routledge: 2014), Algorithms for Visual Design (Wiley: 2009), Algorithmic Architecture (Architectural Press: 2006), and Expressive Form (Spon:2003).  He is the organizer of two Critical Digital Conferences at Harvard in 2008 and 2009, one Algode conference in 2011, and two conferences at Tongji’s D&I on design/art and AI in 2019 and 2021.  In 2010 he was awarded the ACADIA award for innovative research in digital design and in 2019 the high-end foreign expert.  Between 2011-2017 he launched and ran a startup company called Organic Parking, Inc. that dealt with parking optimization through the use of smart phones.

Dr Hashemi holds a PhD from the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, UK and an MSc and BSc in Architecture from University of Tehran, Iran. After completing his PhD, he joined the Bartlett School of Architecture at UCL as a postdoctoral research associate and designed and built an award-winning patented automated Thermal Shutter System. He then joined the University of Cambridge as the lead postdoctoral researcher working on a £0.75m EPSRC/DFID/DECC funded research project: Energy and Low-Income Tropical Housing.

Dr Hashemi is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), a Member of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI), an Associate Member of the Chartered institute of Architectural Technologists (ACIAT), and a Member of the Iranian Construction Engineers Organisation.

He is currently supervising three funded PhD projects including: Healthy Homes: Design and retrofit strategies for improved occupants' health and wellbeing; and EPSRC funded PhD project on 'Retrofitting space heating systems for historic churches: meeting the needs of conservation, community and environmental sustainability.' SEAHA (Science and Engineering in Arts Heritage and Archaeology) is an EPSRC funded PhD research training programme as a collaboration between UCL, Oxford and Brighton.

Deborah Benrós is an ARB/RIBA UK registered architect and researcher.

She holds a doctorate from University College London - The Bartlett School (UCL) and was a visiting student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

She attained a Masters in architecture from University of Lisbon, where she also taught design studio and computer aided design. In practice, she worked at several architectural offices including Foster and Partners, and Arup.

As visiting faculty at Cornell University, she taught design studio and an elective course focusing on her research field which includes: shape grammars and mass customisation of housing.

At UEL, she occupies a role of Senior Lecturer in Technical Studies and representation.

Prof. Dr. Georgi P. Georgiev is a German urban planner and expert in sustainable construction and smart city management, born on January 22, 1987. He graduated with degrees from RWTH Aachen University and has a PhD from Fraunhofer/SRTI-BAS on urban air mobility. Georgiev has a rich career, including roles at Fraunhofer IBP, academic positions at the University of Stuttgart, and visiting professorships in China. He is CEO of Dr. Georgiev Consulting GmbH, offering C-level consultancy services in Germany and the EU. He is also a Research Director at TU Munich and the Advanced Air Mobility Institute, and a Production Professor in Kazakhstan. Georgiev is fluent in German, English, and Bulgarian, and is recognized for his leadership in multidisciplinary innovation teams and contributions to EU standardization.

Athanassios (Thanos) Economou is a Professor at the School of Architecture in the College of Design and an Adjunct Professor at the School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Economou’s teaching and research are in shape grammars, computational design, computer-aided design, and design theory, with over sixty published papers in these areas. He is the Director of the Shape Computation Lab, a research group that explores how the visual nature of shape can be formally implemented with new technologies to enable new paradigms in CAD, design automation, visual scripting, and creative design. Recent projects include the Shape Machine, a new computational technology that allows shape embedding in CAD systems, funded by Georgia Research Alliance and NSF-iCorps Sites, and the Courtsweb, the most significant visual database on Federal Courthouses, funded by GSA and US.Courts. Design projects from his studios at Georgia Tech have received prestigious awards in international and national architectural competitions. He has been invited to give talks, seminars, and workshops at several universities including MIT, Harvard, TU Vienna, U. Michigan, KAIST, Chiao Tung U Taiwan, Emory, Seoul National U, Cambridge U, Tsinghua U, UCLA, NTUA, U.Thessaly, U.Aegean, among others. Dr. Economou holds a Diploma in Architecture from NTUA, Athens, Greece, an M.Arch from USC, and a PhD in Architecture from UCLA.

Wilson Lu is Chair Professor (Digital Construction) and Head of the Department of Real Estate and Construction, Faculty of Architecture, the University of Hong Kong. He holds a BSc of Computer Science and an MSc of Construction Economics and Management. He was awarded his PhD in Hong Kong. He has worked as a research fellow at the University of Reading, UK, from 2006 to 2008. He is the leader of research grants worth HK$60+ million from various prestigious funding regimes including Hong Kong Research Grant Council (RGC), Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), The Government Policy Innovation and Co-Ordination Office (PICO), Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). He is the author of 2 books, 200+ book chapters and journal papers. He has a Google Citation > 16000 and H-index > 72. He has been ranked as one of the Top 1% Scholar by Clarivate Analytics since 2017. He is the Director of iLab@hku, which is established as an urban big data lab to take the opportunities and challenges as instigated by the global visions of Smart City and Industry 4.0. It has made a significant break-through in modernizing the construction industry in Hong Kong and beyond.

Yichao Shi is a dedicated PhD student in the Architecture Design Computation program at Georgia Institute of Technology. With a strong academic background, Yichao earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Architectural Engineering from Tongji University and an M.Arch in Architectural Design from University College London (UCL). Yichao's research interests encompass shape syntax in architectural design, digital heritage, computer graphics, cognitive science, and human-computer interaction. Having gained valuable experience as a teaching assistant in courses such as D&R Studio: Landhuggers, Yichao is an active member of the Shape Computation Lab at Georgia Tech. Additionally, Yichao serves as a Graduate Research Associate in the Flourishing Communities Collaborative Lab, where they work to advance the field of architecture through innovative research and collaboration.

Jiaxiang is currently studying Architecture and Digital Fabrication in ETH Zurich and graduated from University College London (M.Arch in Architectural Design). Founder of VAMX Lab research group. His research interests include augmented reality, virtual reality, computational design, human-computer interaction, and digital fabrication technology. Work experience related to digital fabrication technology: he worked for Fab-Union for three years as a Senior R&D Engineer, responsible for the whole process of all the projects: Concrete 3D Printing Project Leader, Clay 3D Printing Research Leader, 3D Printing Design Project for various plastic materials（ABS/PLA/PETG）, Robotic automated bricklaying, and the whole process of research and development of large hardware products and equipment. Existing several papers published in CDRF，CAADRIA and other international conferences in the field of architectural computational design and won the CAADRIA 2023 Best Paper Award.

Mr. Yi Zhang is a first-year PhD student and the HKU Presidential Scholarship awardee at the Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, under the supervision of Prof. Wilson Lu. As a Tsinghua and UCL trained architect and computational designer, he manifests an enthusiasm in (1) developing a graph-based AI family for contextual architectural design; and (2) facilitating a mixed-reality architectural system where civics customize their building with modularization and gamification. He has participated in several research grant applications, book chapter and journal writing, and completed two first-authorship papers for CAADRIA (accpeted) and Automation in Construction (under second round revision). He has worked as professional architect for almost two years before his PhD study, brought three sole-designed built projects and deeply engaged in numerous international completions with leading ranks. 

Mr. Ziyu Peng is a year-4 PhD candidate at the Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, who is supervised by Prof. Wilson Lu and Prof. Chris Webster. He received a MSc (with Distinction) from University College London and a BEng from Tongji University. His doctoral research lies in (1) developing generative design algorithms for building morphology within metropolitan context; and (2) understanding the formation of style heterogeneity via machine learning techniques. He deeply participate in two Hong Kong Research Grant Council research projects: Generative DfX in high-rise modular building: An expert-augmented cascade graph learning and optimisation approach and Healthy and resilient city with pervasive LoCHs. He is the reviewer of several reputed journals relating to built environment, including Sustainable Cities and Societies, Automation in Construction, Building Research & Information, etc.

Han is a SMArchS candidate in Design & Computation and Computer Science at MIT. She received a Diploma in Architecture from Tongji University and a Master of Architecture and a big data program from Tsinghua University. She is a researcher with an extensive background in programming and computational design. Aspiring to leverage programming and computer science skills to revolutionize physiological sensing in VR.

Yiqing is an architect born and raised in Shanghai and is now an M.Arch Candidate at MIT. She achieved a B.Arch degree from Tongji University and worked for several architectural firms. Her skills include painting, making, advanced architectural design, and prototyping. Her projects focus on narratives, context, structure, and tectonics, and she is interested in materiality, perception, and representation. Currently, she is interested in materials, sustainability, automation, and robots and their intersection with architecture and design.

Wangli Yi is a computational designer, currently pursuing SMArchS degree in Design and Computation at MIT. Fueled by a passion for human-centered design, my interests encompass Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, UX Design, Space Design, Shape Grammar and Psychology. Focusing on enhancing well-being and user experiences, I strive to create innovative physical and digital solutions that enrich people's lives.

Chenyue is a Master of Architecture student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology with the class of 2026. Before coming to MIT, he aquired Bachelor in computer science at City University of Hong Kong, where he was a member of the university's programming contest team, winning multiple medals in ICPC and CCPC. Supported by advanced algorithms, his works actively seek interdisciplinary practices between architecture, photography and new media art. Besides, he works closely with peers and professors in various fields including art, game development and human-computer interaction.

Michele Bonino, Professor of Architecture and Urban Design, Ph.D. in History of Architecture, is the Head of the Department of Architecture and Design and the Director of the China Center at the Politecnico di Torino.

He was a Visiting Professor at Tsinghua University (2013-2014) and a Visiting Scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2016). 

On behalf of the Politecnico di Torino, he was the principal architect for the Shougang Visitor Centre for the XXIV Olympic Winter Games (Beijing 2022, with Tsinghua University). 

He was the Academic Curator of the 2019 Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture - Shenzhen (with Sun Y.). He was invited to the Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2004, 2010, 2012, 2021.

His current research focuses on the innovation of design and its practices according to models of transnational exchange. He’s the author of more than 350 scientific publications. Among his recent books, Grounding the Belt and Road Initiative. Architecture of the new Silk Roads (Birkhäuser 2024 – in print, with F. Carota and S. Marri), The Story of a Section. Designing the Shougang Oxygen Factory (ORO 2022, with E. Bruno, A. Armando, G. Durbiano), China Goes Urban. The City to Come (Skira 2020, with F. Carota, F. Governa, S. Pellecchia). He’s a member of the Scientific Committee of “Vicino/Lontano” Festival and of the Steering Committee of “Biennale Tecnologia”.

Michela Barosio is currently associate professor in architectural and urban design at Politecnico di Torino (Italy) since 2022. She obtained her PhD in Architecture and Building Design from Politecnico di Torino in 2004 discussing a thesis about analysis and design criteria for the regeneration of urban dismantled industrial areas. She is a chartered architect and she has been a practicing architect from 1998 to 2015 running her own practice since 2004. She is currently teaching at undergraduate and master level in the programs in architecture of the Politecnico di Torino running interdisciplinary design studio. As a member of the Joint Research Unit Transitional Morphologies between Politecnico di Torino and South-East University Nanjing her research focuses on the design processes for urban regeneration, on morphological studies and on the parametric approach to urban design. On these topics, she is the author of several  books, articles and conference papers at a national and international level. Her interest on educational methods for design teaching led her to be an active member of the Teaching Lab of Politecnico di Torino as well as a member of the Council of the EAAE European Association for Architectural Association.

Lidia Preti completed her master’s degree in 'Architecture Construction City' in 2019 at Politecnico di Torino, as part of the Double Degree program established with Tsinghua University in Beijing. Her master's thesis delved into one of the historical districts of Beijing. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Architecture, History, and Project as part of the joint Ph.D. research program “Transnational Architectural Models in a Globalized World” between Politecnico di Torino and Tsinghua University in Beijing. Her research focuses on Rural Revitalization practices in Contemporary China, with a specific interest in the engagement of practitioners and academic institutions in these processes. She lives between Italy and China where she spent an extended period of time in Beijing over the past few years, specifically at the School of Architecture of Tsinghua University. Since 2019, she has been actively engaged in research activities with the China Room research group at Politecnico di Torino. 

Giulia Montanaro obtained in 2020 the Master’s Degree in Building Engineering and Architecture at Università di Pavia with honour and Master's Degree in Architecture at Tongji University in Shanghai as part of the double degree program stipulated between the two universities with a thesis entitled “Architecture Beyond: Italian Architects and Practices in Shanghai”. She is an engineer currently enrolled in a PhD program in “Architecture. History and Design” at Politecnico di Torino in the joint PhD program in the field of Architecture between Politecnico di Torino and Tsinghua University that created a specific PhD curriculum named Transnational Architectural Models in a Globalised World. Since 2021, she has been collaborating with the China Room research group of the Politecnico di Torino.

Valentina Labriola is a Landscape Architect and currently a PhD candidate in Architecture. History and Project at Politecnico di Torino. She is pursuing a joint program with the Tsinghua University of Beijing with the curriculum Transnational Architectural Models in a Globalized World. She earned a B.Sc in Architectural Design and a M.Sc in Landscape Architecture at Politecnico di Milano. During her Master’s, she studied at Tongji University in Shanghai, where she developed an interest in China. She pursued this interest through a Research Grant at Politecnico di Milano, where she collaborated with several Chinese and European Universities. Her research interest lies in exploring the dialogue between architecture and media, with a focus on the interaction between literature and urban imaginaries.

Philip F. Yuan is a professor and associate dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University, Honorary Fellow of American Institute of Architecture (Hon. FAIA). He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Intelligence journal. Yuan has served as Thomas Jefferson professor at University of Virginia (2019), the visiting professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2019), and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (2021). He has also served as council member of UIA Professional Practice Commission (PPC). Yuan was attributed with UIA 2023 The Auguste Perret Prize for Technology in Architecture. His work has been recognized with notable awards, including 2022 AIA Open International | Architecture Honor Award, 2022 Dezeen Award Best Civic Building, 2020 ACADIA Innovative Academic Program Award of Excellence etc. Yuan has participated in Venice biennale, Chicago biennale, Milan triennial, Tallin biennale, etc. His works have been collected by MOMA New York, M+ Hong Kong and Centre National d'art et de Culture Georges Pompidou. 

Gao Tianyi, a Master of Architecture from University College London and a PhD candidate at the Shanghai Center for Shanghai Research Institute for Intelligent Autonomous Systems at Tongji University; committee member of DigitalFUTURES; teaching assistant in architectural design at Tongji University. His research focuses on the design and construction workflows of digital timber structures in the era of mass customization. He has participated in international conferences such as UIA, IASS, and CDRF. His papers have been published in journals including Architectural Intelligence, Frontiers of Architectural Research, World Architecture, Journal of Architecture, and Contemporary Architecture.

Lyle Yuan is a PhD student at the Shanghai Research Institute for Autonomous Intelligent Systems, Tongji University. His research focuses on perception and localization of mobile robots in intelligent construction scenarios. He has participated as the lead architect in the design and construction of several medium to large-scale landmark projects, including the new Chongqing Planning Exhibition Hall and the Shanghai Baowu Steel Convention and Exhibition Center. He is well-versed in the practical application of parametric design and digital construction technology throughout the entire process of architectural projects.

Chao Yan, assistant Professor at the College of Architecture and Urban Planning of Tongji University, member of the Academic Committee for Computational Design of the Architectural Society of China, member of the Digital Architecture Branch of the Shanghai Architectural Society, editor of the Architectural Intelligence journal. He has been a visiting scholar at the University of Virginia, and a guest lecturer at the China Academy of Art. He researches on the design theory and methods related to digital technology, with a focus on environment-behavior research and design based on machine vision, spatial intelligence and AR technologies. He has published more than 30 papers, authored 6 books, and also practices through design and curation, participating in numerous domestic and international exhibitions such as the Venice Architecture Biennale, Shenzhen/Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale, and Shanghai Urban Space Art Season.

Hanning is a second-year Master student at the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) at Tongji University, advised by Philip F. YUAN. Previously, he received his Bachelor's Degree in Architecture at Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology (XAUAT). He also spent time as a teaching assistant at the (2023 Summer) ZAHA Tectonism Workshop at DigitalFUTURES, the (2023 Autumn) Computational Design Class at Shanghai University, and the (2024 Spring) AI-Driven Performance-Based Tectonics Class at Tongji University. As an AR/MR researcher, his goal is to recognize and enhance the irreplaceable strengths of human beings in the automation era. His focus is on providing architects with an immersive experience throughout the design, fabrication, and assembly processes, ultimately leading to accurate construction outcomes. To do so, he is dedicated to developing geometrical algorithms and pose tracking methods, seamlessly integrating them into an immersive software on the spatial computational platform.

LT received his Bachelor's degree from CAUP and is currently enrolled in his Master's degree at CAUP. He has been a teaching assistant for the 2023 and 2024 Digital Design Frontiers courses. He has published papers in journals such as The Architect, New Architecture and at CAADRIA conferences. His current research areas are video behaviour analysis, behavioural computing, and spatial behavioural performance optimization. For this purpose, he developed 3D reconstruction programs for human posture estimation, integrated it into the rhino grasshopper platform, and used it as a data base to calculate gait analysis metrics and obtain more refined spatial behavioural information.