Xavier De Kestelier, architect and technologist with a passion for human space exploration to make a speech at the Computational Design: NEXT 5.0 conference about the Human Habitats on other planets, and architecture on Mars. Xavier was educated in Belgium and the United Kingdom and holds an BArch and MSc in Architectural Engineering form the University of Ghent and an MSc Urban Design from The Bartlett School of Architecture. He previously co-headed the Specialist Modelling Group at Foster+Partners. Where his team specialised in computational design and digital fabrication.Besides his role in the SMG, Xavier was also responsible for the implementation of rapid prototyping technology within the offices of Foster+Partners. He has also initiated and overseen several funded research projects for F+P. He specialised in the field of large scale 3D printing and worked with NASA and the European Space Agency on 3D printed Moon and Mars habitats. Xavier is currently the Global Head of Design Technology and Innovation at Hassell Studio where he leads design technology across all disciplines and regions.He is also director of Smartgeometry which is a not for profit organisation that organises a yearly international conference and workshop around digital design and fabrication. Xavier has held academic positions at the University of Ghent, Syracuse University and The Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL) and is currently member of the RIBA. Specialties: Computational Design, Rapid Prototyping, Parametric Design, Digital Fabrication
