Design-Tech Talk 6.0: Exploring Sustainability, Computation, and Transformable Futures

Design-Tech Talk 6.0 brought together leading voices in architecture, engineering, and design innovation for a two-day journey at the intersection of sustainability, computation, and emerging technologies. Organized by PAACADEMY, the event featured a panel of four distinguished experts on Day 1 and an in-depth, hands-on workshop on Day 2.

More than just a series of presentations, this edition of Design-Tech Talk emphasized how design practitioners are redefining architectural workflows, from embedding sustainability into parametric systems to developing robotic fabrication processes and exploring transformable mechanisms.

Olaf Olden: Embedding Sustainability into Parametric Workflows

Olaf Olden framed sustainability not as an afterthought but as an integrated driver of design. Drawing from his role as Sustainability Technologist at UNStudio and his academic teaching at TU Delft, Olaf demonstrated how parametric design can operationalize ecological responsibility.

He presented case studies where environmental performance, social factors, and energy efficiency were embedded directly into architectural workflows. Moving beyond certification checklists, Olaf emphasized designing tools that empower architects to make measurable, data-driven decisions. His presentation underscored how sustainable architecture requires not only ambition but also computational systems capable of aligning creative expression with real-world impact.

Jacob Lehrer: Robotics, Computation, and Sustainable Futures

The second speaker, Jacob Lehrer, explored the convergence of computational design and advanced fabrication. Using Rhino and Grasshopper as his primary tools, he illustrated projects ranging from robotic clay printing with Wasp to facade and pavilion systems shaped through KUKA robotics.

Jacob positioned computation as a bridge between aesthetics and sustainability. By tailoring projects to site-specific conditions, parametric workflows help reduce waste and optimize resources, while robotics expands the palette of construction possibilities. His perspective, shaped by LEED accreditation and a focus on ecological responsibility, highlighted the future of architectural practice as a fusion of design artistry, sustainable strategies, and machine-driven precision.

Elke & Nicolas Sterling-Presser: Post-Carbon Architecture and Structural Innovation

In their joint presentation, Elke Sterling-Presser and Nicolas Sterling shared the collaborative ethos of their Berlin-based practice, STERLING PRESSER. Combining Elke’s background in architectural education and Nicolas’s structural engineering expertise, the duo showcased projects where architecture and engineering converge to advance post-carbon design.

They outlined methods of circular design, emphasizing material reuse, structural efficiency, and the integration of digital innovation into every stage of the workflow. Their lecture demonstrated how cross-disciplinary collaboration leads to architecture that is not only technically refined but also environmentally resilient. By situating architecture within global transformation agendas, they urged designers to take an active role in shaping a sustainable future.

Ladan Vojdanzade: Transformable Design Systems in Motion

Day 2 shifted from presentations to practice with a four-hour online workshop led by architect and educator Ladan Vojdanzade. Her session delved into transformable design systems, with a particular focus on the logic and geometry of scissor-like mechanisms, expandable structures that can open, contract, and reconfigure with fluid precision.

Working in Grasshopper, participants explored how to parameterize these mechanisms, defining connector points, motion ranges, and structural stability rules. Ladan demonstrated how algorithmic modeling could translate the simple principle of scissor-like motion into complex architectural systems capable of adapting in scale and function.

Through her step-by-step methodology, attendees designed parametric prototypes, first setting up the base units, then linking them into expandable arrays, and finally testing their transformation logic in simulated conditions. The workshop emphasized not just the technical workflows but also the conceptual shift: seeing architecture as an adaptive discipline, where geometry is not fixed but designed for motion, flexibility, and responsiveness.

Closing Reflection: Design and Technology in Transition

Across two days, Design-Tech Talk 6.0 revealed how sustainability, computation, and adaptability are no longer separate domains but interconnected forces shaping the future of design. From Olaf Olden’s sustainability-driven parametrics, to Jacob Lehrer’s computational robotics, to STERLING PRESSER’s cross-disciplinary innovations, and finally Ladan Vojdanzade’s transformable systems, the event highlighted a shared trajectory: architecture evolving to meet new ecological, technological, and cultural demands.

For PAACADEMY, the series once again demonstrated its mission to equip designers with cutting-edge knowledge while fostering a community of forward-thinking practitioners. Design-Tech Talk stands as a platform where the future of design is not just discussed but actively shaped.

Join the experience! Discover PAACADEMY’s upcoming workshops and stay at the forefront of design and technology.