ARCASIA Forum 22 Polymathic Excellence: Crafting Narratives, Designing Tomorrows (2025-01 to 2025-02, ARCASIA FORUM 22, Colombo, Sri Lanka, LK)
Showcasing 35 Years of Built Projects, Designs, and Research at ARCASIA Forum 22 At ARCASIA Forum 22, Professor Thomas Spiegelhalter presented the latest and most significant projects, designs, and research from the past 35 years. This prestigious event brought together leading architects and thought leaders from 22 Asian countries and across the globe to explore groundbreaking advancements in architectural design. Under the theme “Polymathic Excellence: Crafting Narratives, Designing Tomorrows,” the forum served as a dynamic platform to highlight AI-driven, large-scale design and construction projects incorporating 3D-printed components. Representing FIU, Professor Spiegelhalter delivered a presentation on award-winning architectural and infrastructure projects that utilize additive manufacturing and AI-powered generative design — innovations that contribute to the ongoing dialogue on creating sustainable, resilient, and forward-thinking architecture. The forum featured an impressive lineup of globally renowned architects, including Caroline Bos (UN Studio – Netherlands), David Mehta (MASS Design Group – USA), Onur Teke (TEKE Architects Office – Italy), Eran Chen (ODA – USA), and Gurjit Singh Matharoo (Matharoo Associates – India), among other luminaries shaping the future of architecture. Their collective expertise underscored the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative design methodologies, and sustainable urban development strategies in addressing the challenges of tomorrow. [...]
Professor Thomas Spiegelhalter to Present at International Sigradi 2024 Conference in Barcelona
We are excited to announce that Professor Thomas Spiegelhalter will be presenting at the International Sigradi 2024 Conference on Biodigital Intelligent Systems. This prestigious event, the XXVIII Conference of the IBERO-American Society of Digital Graphics, will take place in Barcelona from November 13 to 15, 2024. The SIGraDi 2024 conference will focus on the application of biodigital intelligent systems in architecture, design, and art, encompassing research, teaching, and professional practice. Biodigital intelligent systems combine principles from biology, digital technology, and AI to create intelligent, adaptive systems inspired by living organisms. This interdisciplinary field includes bio-inspired robotics, artificial life, evolutionary algorithms, and computational neuroscience, aiming to emulate the self-organization, self-repair, and adaptability of natural systems. Professor Spiegelhalter will showcase two groundbreaking research projects: Integrating AI-SynBio-Digital Twin Futures in Coastal Urban Resilience Integrating AI-Automation and Evolutionary Algorithms: A Bio-digital Design Realization of a 50-Meter 3D-Printed Steel Pedestrian and Bike Bridge For more details, please visit the conference link https://sigradi.org/sigradi2024/.
SMART CITY EXPO MIAMI – FUTURE READY COMMUNITIES – Wolfson Campus Auditorium – Miami Dade College
Prof. Thomas Spiegelhalter will be presenting at the International SMART CITY EXPO MIAMI - FUTURE READY COMMUNITIES. The presentation of his design and built research projects will be titled, "From Blueprint to Footprint" with examples from the US, Costa Rica, Europe and Africa. Click here for more information
Prof. Spiegelhalter Explores Cutting-Edge Sustainability at Building Future Lab in Reggio Calabria
Prof. Spiegelhalter had an amazing tour of the Building Future Lab (BFL) at Università Università degli Studi 'Mediterranea' di Reggio Calabria today with Prof. Martino Milardi (Director) and Prof. Corrado Trombetta (Founder) on May 22, 2024! Here's what makes the BFL unique: State-of-the-art Testing and Experimentation Chamber: The BFL boasts one of the world's largest testing chambers, allowing researchers to evaluate full-scale building envelope elements under simulated environmental conditions; Focus on Sustainability, Resilience: The lab prioritizes testing for factors like seismic activity, wind resistance, and energy efficiency, ensuring buildings are not only functional but also sustainable and resilient; From Design to Certification: The BFL supports the entire design process, from prototyping and testing new construction systems to certification according to international standards helping architects, engineers, and construction companies build the future – sustainable, resilient, and high-performing buildings!
FIU Architecture Students Explore Cutting-Edge 3D Printing on Study Abroad Trip to Berlin-Amsterdam 2024
During the Summer 2024 Study Abroad program, graduate architecture students from Florida International University's College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts had the unique opportunity to visit MX3D in Amsterdam—a global leader in metal 3D printing. The visit included a compelling presentation by Gijs Van Der Velden, who detailed MX3D's pioneering history, its innovative projects, and the challenges faced in designing and printing. A highlight of the discussion was the upcoming 50-meter hybrid 3D-printed pedestrian steel bridge in Duisburg, Germany, designed by Professor Thomas Spiegelhalter. This ambitious project, currently under assembly and scheduled to open in October 2024, was coordinated through numerous Zoom meetings over the years with collaborators Kasper Siderius and Gijs van der Velden. Founded by Loris Jaarman, MX3D is renowned for its revolutionary metal additive manufacturing technology, utilizing dual 6-axis robotic systems. Their ground-breaking work includes the world’s first 3D-printed metal bridge, which opened in July 2021. To discover more about MX3D and their innovative technologies, visit: MX3D.
FIU School of Architecture Shines on CBS Saturday Morning: Pioneering Resilient Designs for South Florida’s Future
Our nationally ranked FIU School of Architecture research faculty and students’ impactful work was highlighted this past weekend on CBS Saturday Morning News. Featuring the innovative work of our Robotics + Digital Fabrication Lab, our Doctor of Design students, and our renowned faculty. Professor Thomas Spiegelhalter’s architecture students at FIU School of Architecture are studying how rising sea levels will affect the future of South Florida infrastructures during the hurricane season. In his interview with CBS, he explained how his students are using artificial intelligence to plan future cities, including design scenarios of floating and stilt buildings with resilient green-blue infrastructures from now to the year 2100. These designs show metropolises and structures that mimic natural shapes to withstand future hurricane storms and impact from erosion. The Robotics and Digital Fabrication Lab, directed by Dr. Shahin Vassigh, is dedicated to advancing the built environment through technological innovation. Dr. Vassigh and post-doctoral candidate Sara Pezeshk have researched the use of 3-D printing to develop bio-tiles that can reduce coastal erosion and counteract the negative impacts of sea-level rise. The work done by the FIU School of Architecture supports FIU’s Distinction for Environmental Resilience and works with community organizations to develop [...]