Innovation, Influence, and the Future of Design

Throughout history, women architects and designers have played a crucial role in shaping the built environment, challenging conventions, and redefining architectural practice. Despite facing barriers, they have continually pushed the boundaries of creativity, technology, and sustainability, leaving an indelible mark on the profession. Their influence extends beyond design, as they pioneer new methods of construction, advocate for social and environmental responsibility, and mentor the next generation of architects.

Today, the contributions of women in architecture are more visible than ever, with many leading groundbreaking projects, research initiatives, and educational programs. From computational design and parametric architecture to AI-driven workflows and digital fabrication, women architects are at the forefront of innovation. Their work not only transforms spaces but also questions the ways in which technology and design intersect, offering fresh perspectives on the future of the industry.

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, PAACADEMY highlights ten outstanding workshops led by women who are reshaping architectural education. These workshops delve into advanced digital tools, generative AI, 3D printing, and speculative design, providing a glimpse into the future of architecture through the lens of visionary female educators.

Here are the top 10 inspiring women instructors at PAACADEMY:

1. Mariana Cabugueira – Mastering the Fluid Architecture

The list starts with Mariana Cabugueira, whose Meta-Fluid Studio has set a benchmark for digital fluidity and computational aesthetics in architectural education. Her approach to parametric design explores the seamless interplay between algorithmic logic and organic form, creating highly intricate, responsive structures. Through PAACADEMY, she has cultivated a global community of designers eager to push the boundaries of digital design, equipping them with the tools and methodologies to generate complex, free-flowing architectures.

Her Meta-Fluid Studio workshops are nothing short of transformative. By harnessing computational strategies, participants explore fluid morphologies that defy traditional architectural constraints. The workshop unfolds as an immersive journey into generative design, where algorithmic precision meets artistic intuition. Each project that emerges from the studio reflects an intricate dance of curves and movement, redefining the spatial possibilities of contemporary architecture. With her expertise, Cabugueira continues to lead the conversation on the future of parametric and fluid design, making her an undeniable force in the evolution of architectural education.

2. Victoria Roznowski – Pioneering 3D-Printed Architecture

Victoria Roznowski has established herself as a key figure in the evolution of 3D-printed architecture, blending computational precision with material innovation. As a designer specializing in digital fabrication, her work explores the intersection of parametric design and large-scale additive manufacturing, redefining construction methodologies for the future. Her achievements extend beyond academia and practice, with notable recognition as the winner of ICON’s Initiative 99 in the student section—a competition that envisions accessible and sustainable 3D-printed housing solutions. Roznowski’s ability to merge research-driven experimentation with real-world applications has positioned her at the forefront of architectural innovation.

At PAACADEMY, her “3D Printing Innovations with FDM” and “3D Printed Wall Panels” workshops have captivated students by offering a hands-on approach to digital fabrication. These sessions delve into the intricate process of transforming computational designs into physical realities, guiding participants through advanced parametric modeling techniques and robotic extrusion strategies. The workshops emphasize material efficiency, structural optimization, and aesthetic expression, allowing students to push the boundaries of what’s possible with 3D-printed construction. Under Roznowski’s mentorship, participants not only gain technical expertise but also develop a deeper understanding of how emerging fabrication technologies can revolutionize the built environment.

3. Aida Rasouli – Leading AI-Driven Design

Aida Rasouli is an Iranian architect and artist whose work explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, computational design, and creative expression. With a strong foundation in architecture and a visionary approach to digital aesthetics, she has been pioneering new methodologies for AI-driven ideation and conceptualization. Her expertise extends beyond architecture, as she also investigates AI’s transformative potential in fashion design, crafting innovative workflows that merge generative tools with human creativity. By leveraging AI as a design collaborator, Rasouli challenges conventional creative processes, pushing the boundaries of both built and wearable environments.

At PAACADEMY, Rasouli has led groundbreaking workshops such as “AI-Driven Creativity” and “AI-Driven Fashion Design,” where she introduces participants to the use of MidJourney and other generative tools in design thinking. These workshops emphasize AI’s role in shaping conceptual frameworks, offering architects and designers new ways to generate intricate visual narratives and explore speculative architecture. Her courses have not only inspired a new wave of AI-savvy designers but also demonstrated how technology can enhance artistic intuition. With a keen focus on integrating AI into both architectural and fashion workflows, Rasouli continues to redefine the creative landscape, demonstrating the limitless possibilities of machine-assisted design.

4. Eliana Nigro – Lead Computational Designer

Eliana Nigro’s journey in computational design is a testament to the transformative power of digital education. Once a student at PAACADEMY, she quickly distinguished herself as a rising talent in the field, mastering the complexities of parametric design and algorithmic modeling. Today, as the Head of Computational Design at COBE Architects, she leads cutting-edge projects that blend data-driven methodologies with innovative architectural solutions. Her work focuses on the seamless integration of generative design strategies, computational workflows, and digital fabrication, shaping a new paradigm for responsive and intelligent architecture.

Returning to PAACADEMY as an instructor, Nigro now imparts her expertise to the next generation of designers through workshops like “Computational Dreamscape” and “Computational Dreamscape 2.0”. These courses guide participants through the process of creating immersive architectural environments, utilizing algorithmic thinking and real-time rendering to craft dynamic spatial compositions. By emphasizing both conceptual depth and technical precision, her workshops have redefined how computational tools can be leveraged in architectural storytelling. Nigro’s transition from student to educator highlights her commitment to the discipline, making her an influential voice in the evolving landscape of computational design.

5. Ebrar Eke – Visionary AI Architect

Ebrar Eke is a leading architect at Delugan Meissl Associated Architects (DMAA), where she explores the integration of artificial intelligence into contemporary design methodologies. With a background in computational design and advanced architectural workflows, her expertise lies in bridging parametric strategies with AI-driven processes to create innovative spatial solutions. Eke’s work reflects a deep understanding of the symbiotic relationship between human creativity and machine intelligence, redefining how architects approach generative ideation, form-finding, and optimization.

At PAACADEMY, she led the “AI-Driven Architectural Design” workshop, offering a comprehensive insight into how AI tools can be seamlessly incorporated into architectural workflows. The course focused on leveraging AI-powered platforms for conceptual development, material exploration, and visual storytelling—providing participants with the skills to enhance their design practice using generative tools. Through a structured methodology that balances technical precision with artistic exploration, Eke has empowered designers to harness AI as a collaborative tool rather than just a computational aid. Her approach demonstrates how artificial intelligence is not merely a trend but a transformative force in shaping the future of architectural design.

6. Alejandra Rojas – Pushing the Boundaries of 3D-Printed Ceramics

Alejandra Rojas is an architect and digital fabrication specialist whose work redefines the possibilities of material-driven computational design. With a strong focus on clay 3D printing, she explores the intersection of parametric design and craft, utilizing digital tools to shape intricate, organic forms. Her research delves into the structural and aesthetic potentials of ceramic fabrication, bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary fabrication technologies. Rojas’s approach not only expands the technical applications of 3D-printed ceramics but also reintroduces material sensitivity into computational workflows, creating a harmonious dialogue between digital precision and natural textures.

At PAACADEMY, she led the “3D-Printing Clay: Exploring Coded Patterns” workshop, an intensive exploration of parametric ceramic design and robotic extrusion techniques. The course provided participants with hands-on experience in developing intricate coded patterns, understanding material behaviors, and crafting bespoke 3D-printed ceramic elements. Students were captivated by the seamless integration of computational design and material tactility, gaining insights into how digital fabrication can enhance rather than replace traditional techniques. Under Rojas’s guidance, the workshop became an inspiring platform for experimentation, proving that clay—one of the oldest building materials—still holds immense potential in the age of digital manufacturing.

7. Martina Rosati – Pioneering Parametric Design with Grasshopper

Martina Rosati is a Lead Architect at Zaha Hadid Architects, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing parametric design methodologies and computational workflows. With a deep expertise in algorithmic modeling, her work focuses on translating complex geometries into buildable architectural forms, pushing the limits of digital design in contemporary practice. Rosati’s approach is rooted in precision, adaptability, and performance-driven design, allowing her to craft highly responsive building systems that integrate seamlessly with environmental and structural parameters. Her contributions to computational architecture are shaping new possibilities in façade articulation, spatial fluidity, and data-informed design strategies.

At PAACADEMY, she led the “Building Envelopes & Data” workshop, an advanced training session dedicated to exploring the potential of Grasshopper for Rhino in designing adaptive and intelligent architectural skins. The course provided participants with in-depth knowledge of generative algorithms, data-driven design principles, and parametric optimization techniques, allowing them to craft dynamic and performance-oriented building envelopes. Students were captivated by Rosati’s ability to distill complex parametric workflows into intuitive and applicable design strategies. Her workshop exemplified the power of computational thinking in architecture, demonstrating how parametric tools can lead to more innovative and efficient design solutions.

8. Laura Civetti – Innovating Fashion Design with Bio-Materials

Laura Civetti is a visionary designer at the intersection of fashion, computational design, and sustainable material innovation. With a deep focus on bio-materials, her work challenges conventional fashion paradigms by integrating parametric design methodologies with nature-inspired fabrication techniques. Her research explores adaptive, responsive textiles that evolve with the wearer, introducing a new era of digitally crafted, eco-conscious fashion. Civetti’s approach blends procedural design with organic materiality, proving that sustainability and high-tech aesthetics can coexist seamlessly in contemporary fashion design.

At PAACADEMY, she led the “Adaptive Fashion: Procedural Design with Bio-Materials” workshop, a forward-thinking exploration of how parametric tools and bio-based materials can reshape the fashion industry. Students delved into computational workflows that generate complex yet wearable forms, experimenting with organic textures and material behaviors to develop futuristic garments. The hands-on approach, combined with Civetti’s expertise, captivated participants, offering them a new perspective on fashion as a computational and ecological practice. Her workshop not only pushed the boundaries of digital craftsmanship but also set a new precedent for sustainable innovation in fashion design.

9. Soomeen Hahm – Redefining Generative Design

Soomeen Hahm is a pioneering voice in computational design, robotics, and human-computer interaction, whose research navigates the convergence of algorithmic thinking, multi-agent systems, and augmented human-machine collaboration. As the founder of SoomeenHahm Design Ltd. and a faculty member at SCI-Arc, her work pushes the boundaries of generative design, exploring how digital intelligence and human creativity can coalesce to redefine architectural production. With a background spanning Tsinghua University, the Architectural Association’s Design Research Lab (DRL), and experience at Zaha Hadid Architects, Hahm’s expertise in digital fabrication, AR/VR, and robotic-assisted design places her at the cutting edge of computational practice.

At PAACADEMY, she led the “Digital Ecology: Generative City Studio,” a seven-session intensive workshop that immersed participants in generative urbanism and emergent ecological systems. Through computational methodologies and agent-based simulations, students explored adaptive, self-organizing cityscapes that respond to environmental and infrastructural complexities. The workshop demonstrated how digital tools can mediate between natural ecologies and urban growth, producing innovative morphologies that blur the line between the artificial and the organic. Under Hahm’s guidance, participants not only mastered advanced parametric techniques but also developed a deeper philosophical and ecological approach to urbanism, positioning digital design as a key agent in shaping the cities of the future.

10. Valentina Sumini – Pioneering Space Architecture

The list ends with Valentina Sumini, a leading expert in space architecture whose work is shaping the future of extraterrestrial habitats. With a distinguished background that includes research at MIT’s Media Lab and the Responsive Environments Group, Sumini has dedicated her career to developing computational design strategies for human space exploration. Now serving as the Head of Space Architecture at Politecnico di Milano, she focuses on advancing sustainable habitat design for extreme environments, exploring how architectural principles can be adapted to meet the unique challenges of life beyond Earth. Her research extends from in-situ resource utilization to the integration of soft robotics and adaptive structures, ensuring that space architecture evolves as a multi-disciplinary field.

At PAACADEMY, Sumini led the “Mars Architecture – Studio Valentina Sumini” workshop together with Marta Rossi, where students engaged in designing visionary Martian habitats that respond to the planet’s harsh conditions. The course emphasized computational workflows, structural resilience, and extraterrestrial resource management, preparing architects to think beyond traditional constraints. Under her mentorship, participants explored innovative methodologies that could one day inform real-world space colonization efforts. As the final name on this list, Sumini represents a bridge between architecture and space exploration, demonstrating how computational design and scientific research can shape the built environment—whether on Earth or beyond.

Honoring All Women Instructors Who Shape Architectural Education

While this list highlights ten exceptional women instructors, it is essential to recognize that PAACADEMY has been home to many more visionary educators who have significantly contributed to architectural learning and innovation. Their expertise, dedication, and mentorship have inspired thousands of students worldwide, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to push the boundaries of computational design, digital fabrication, AI-driven workflows, and sustainable architecture.

Educators such as Kristýna Uhrová, Claudia Campuzano, Hera Kim, Ghazal Javidan, Chantal Matar, Cherylene M. Shangpliang, and Nancy Da Campo have each brought a unique perspective to PAACADEMY, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in design and technology. Through their work, they have mentored, challenged, and empowered thousands of students, reinforcing the importance of continuous learning and innovation. As the architectural landscape evolves, their impact continues to shape cutting-edge research, practice, and discourse, ensuring that the next generation of designers is not only skilled but also visionary, adaptable, and bold in reimagining the built environment.

Together, these incredible women continue to challenge conventions and redefine architectural education, proving that technology and creativity are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary forces shaping the future of design. Through PAACADEMY’s platform, they have not only taught but also inspired a global community of architects, designers, and students, leaving an indelible mark on the architectural landscape. Their impact extends far beyond individual workshops—they represent a collective movement toward a more inclusive, forward-thinking, and technologically advanced architectural future.