Computational Design: NEXT 17

Josef Stöger is an Artist and Designer with a master’s degree in Architecture from the Bartlett School of Architecture, London. He is inspired by the systems and processes that form some of the most beautiful structures in nature and how these can be used in our built environment to create designs that integrate seamlessly with the complexity of our global ecology. He has an incredibly varied background in VR Development, Film-making, Fabrication, and Digital design. With four years of experience working as a technical tutor for Bartlett students, his most recent collaboration is with Peugeot, who is 3D printing a ceramic sculpture to celebrate the launch of their new car. He now works as an Artist and Educator, creating high-value commission pieces and teaching the endlessly fascinating world of digital and physical design.

Matteo Silverio is a Venice-based architect and designer renowned for his innovative approach that blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital technologies. His work spans various fields, including architecture, interior design, product design, and visual art. Silverio is particularly interested in exploring the potential of scientific and technological advancements in the design process, aiming to create human-centric solutions. Matteo has collaborated with several prestigious international firms throughout his career, taking on lead design and project management roles. His projects have been widely recognized, featuring in prominent exhibitions such as the Saatchi Gallery in London, the Mint Gallery, and the Corning Museum of Glass in New York. Notable projects include “Touch Me,” which challenges the fragility perception of Murano glass, and “Glass Matters,” which explores the intersection of traditional Murano glass craftsmanship and modern technology.In addition to his professional practice, Silverio is dedicated to academia. He teaches advanced 3D modeling and computational design at the Academy of Fine Arts of Rovereto, the Istituto Europeo di Design in Venice, and the University IUAV of Venice.

Berke Debensason is an architect and tech entrepreneur who graduated from Istanbul Technical University in 2008 with a degree in architecture. He has 15 years of total professional experience in architectural project production. He founded his studio, DE.X, and ran it for seven years. During his tenure, he completed various architectural projects, including hospitality, luxury residences, and mass housing, with notable projects such as the Miami Hotel, HIM Houses, and Bodrum Housing. In 2019, Berke relocated to London and founded Teledomica to conduct research at the intersection of architecture, design, and mixed reality. Teledomica published its first platform in 2023, aiming to develop mixed reality solutions that enable manufacturers and designers in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries to reach their audience innovatively. 

Bilge Nur Saltik is a Turkish-born designer known for her innovative approach that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. She established her practice, Studio Bilge Nur Saltik, in 2013 after earning her master’s degree in Product Design from the Royal College of Art in London. Her work often involves collaborating with traditional artisans, introducing them to new materials and techniques to create unique, never-before-seen products. Saltik is particularly interested in human behavior and the narratives that objects can create. Her designs often incorporate optical illusions and playful elements to engage and invigorate users.

Güvenç Özel is an architect and design researcher acclaimed for his innovations in Extended Reality (XR), interactive robotics, and machine learning within architecture. A native of Turkey, Özel holds a Master of Architecture from Yale University and a Bachelor of Arts in architecture, sculpture, and philosophy from Bennington College. As the founder of Ozel Office and a founding faculty member of UCLA’s IDEAS program, he spearheads research into dynamic, responsive environments. His groundbreaking work includes the first architectural application of augmented reality, robotic architecture controlled by brain-computer interfaces, and award-winning mixed-reality installations. Notable achievements, such as a top prize at NASA’s 3D Printed Habitats Competition for Mars missions and his projects featured at venues like the Venice Architecture Biennale and Sundance Film Festival, highlight his influential role in design. Özel’s recent accolades include recognition from Hillary Clinton and collaborations with tech giants like Google and Microsoft.

Aman Jain is an Architect and Computational Designer, currently serving as a Product Specialist at Snaptrude, a leading cloud-based collaborative 3D building design tool. With a decade of experience in architecture, Aman has contributed to several large-scale projects, including the Surat Diamond Bourse, the world’s largest single-office building. Aman graduated from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in 2018. His computational work explores complex strip morphologies and devises strategies to rationalize these geometries into fabrication data.

Hashem Joucka is a mixed-media artist and multidisciplinary designer at the intersection of science, art, and technology. Most of his explorations and creations aim to reflect on the aesthetic aspect of visible regularities found in nature, mimicking them through digital generative compositions. His work focuses on animation, sculpture, and immersive experiences, mainly created using mathematical formulas and recursive patterns.Hashem’s explorations have led him to start a journey working on informative art projects for museums, educational institutions, innovation hubs, and science conferences. He combines multiple layers of design, visualization, and fabrication techniques, such as generative design, physical computing, circuit design and production, 3D printing, and projection mapping, to produce temporary and permanent exhibits while working on his personal tangible and virtual art. His creations include furniture and sculpture, digital art, experiential art, prints, app design, exhibit design, and development.

Shridhar Mamidalaa is an architect based in India and the Founder of SRI Design Lab, a leading computational and digital fabrication design studio renowned for its innovative work across product and interior design with over a decade of experience. The studio excels in utilizing advanced computational techniques to develop and refine proprietary design solutions for leading global automotive manufacturers, addressing complex challenges and contributing to pioneering projects that advance design and technology. SRI Design Lab also offers consultancy services in computational and digital fabrication, assisting clients in achieving cutting-edge design outcomes. Under Shridhar’s leadership, the studio merges sophisticated technology with a profound understanding of materiality and form to produce functional and visually striking solutions. Additionally, SRI Design Lab is dedicated to sustainability, using recycled plastic in its 3D-printed products, reflecting a strong commitment to environmentally responsible design practices and promoting sustainable fabrication methods.

Volker Ruitinga is the founder of Vertico, a Netherlands-based startup specializing in 3D concrete printing. Vertico utilizes advanced robotic technology to create intricate and optimized concrete structures. Volker’s journey into 3D printing began in the automobile industry, where his work involved the sale of robotic arms, sparking his interest in large-scale printing. Initially focused on plastics, he transitioned to concrete for its practical applications. In 2018, he started Vertico to upscale the 3D printing process. Using concrete as a material, he saw an opportunity to combine his love for additive manufacturing with his appreciation of architecture and design. He holds a degree in Philosophy (cum laude) from the Erasmus University, is married and has two children. 

Under Volker’s leadership, Vertico has made significant strides in the 3D concrete printing industry, developing custom hardware and software solutions. Notable projects include printing concrete canoes, benches, and an optimized footbridge that minimized material use by 60%, highlighting the potential of 3D printing to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance construction productivity.

Hao Chen is the founding partner of HCCH Studio. She received a Master of Architecture in Urban Design with distinction from Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Master and Bachelor of Architecture from Tongji University in Shanghai. Before founding HCCH Studio, Hao worked at OMA New York and Atelier Deshaus in Shanghai. She has been a guest critic at Columbia GSAPP, Tongji University, The University of Hong Kong, Southeast University, and Tianjin University.

Michael Pryor is a multi-faceted designer utilizing Rhino + Grasshopper, C#, Maya, ZBrush, Houdini and others. He is currently a Head of Procedural Generation at Wilder World Metaverse and the CDO of DesignMorphine. Previously he was a Computational Designer at Nike NXT on performance footwear. He has been involved in various major architectural works in the US, China, Dubai, and Lebanon. Previously, he worked at Trahan, SOMA, OLI, and [AY]A on projects ranging from museums, housing, restaurants, furniture, products, exhibits and prototypes. Michael is the author of the popular Grasshopper3d plug-in Pufferfish with over 150k downloads. He has been the tutor to workshops by the AA visiting school Paris with Louis Vuitton, 3D-Dreaming, Rese.Arch, MIT OSL, Harvard GSD, rat[LAB], PA, Meal, and DesignMorphine.

Nuru Karim, Founder & Principal Nudes received his Masters in Architecture and Urban-ism from the Architectural Association [AADRL] London, United Kingdom in 2006. His undergraduate studies include travel and education in the metropolis of Mumbai [KRVIA-gold medallist] and Montreal [McGill University]. He has worked for Zaha Hadid Architects in 2005 on a host of institutional projects both in competition/ schematic design and design development stages.