AM Perspectives

Studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Darmstadt, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. The work of his doctoral thesis on the fracture mechanics of thin layers is applicable problems of structural engineering such as adhesive bonding and to geophysical problems such as skier-triggered snow slab avalanche release. The author is currently working as the head of the Generative Design Lab at the Technical University of Darmstadt and co-founded the startup company 2phi, which aims at improving skier safety in the backcountry by transferring scientific advances into practice.

Associate Professor at the School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho (EAAD-UM), being dedicated to teaching Computer Design, Computational Modelling and Digital Fabrication courses. PhD in Construction and Technology by EAAD-UM (2016) with the thesis “Decoding the De re aedificatoria of Alberti: a computational approach to the analysis and generation of classical architecture”. Member of the Landscapes, Heritage and Territory Laboratory R&D unit. Co-coordinator of the Architecture, Construction and Technology Hub — ACTech Hub, Guimarães. Visiting student of Design and Computation Group, MIT (2012). Master in Modern and Contemporary Architectural Culture by the University of Lisbon (2009), with the dissertation “Project, Computation and Manufacturing: for the integration of digital technologies in Architecture”. Graduated in Architecture by the University of Porto (2000). His research is centred on the use of digital tools in architecture, encompassing the development of generative and analytical computational models, and digital/robotic fabrication in architectural design processes, namely the implementation and control of additive manufacturing techniques.

Associate Professor at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology. Expert in Computational Design at the intersection of Architectural Design and Building Technology. Turrin put forward Computational Design to integrate engineering aspects into the architectural design conception, toward architectural design innovation with sound fulfillment of performance-criteria. Pursuits the development of methods for form generation, performance assessment and optimisation by means of new computational methods integrating computational engineering optimisation in architectural design. Turrin harnesses 3D printing for customised and high-performing components for buildings. Project leader and participant in research projects and international collaborations with practice and industry.

Professor Dr. Ing. Ulrich Knaack (1964) was trained as an architect at the RWTH Aachen / Germany. After earning his degree he worked at the university as researcher in the field of structural use of glass and completed his studies with a PhD. In his professional career Knaack worked as architect and general planner in Düsseldorf / Germany, succeeding in national and international competitions. His projects include high-rise and offices buildings, commercial buildings and stadiums. In his academic career Knaack was professor for Design and Construction at the Hochschule OWL / Germany. He also was and still is appointed professor for Design of Construction at the Delft University of Technology / Faculty of Architecture, Netherlands where he developed the Façade Research Group. In parallel he is professor for Façade Technology at the TU Darmstadt / Faculty of Civil engineering/ Germany where he participates in the Institute of Structural Mechanics + Design. He organizes interdisciplinary design workshops and symposiums in the field of facades and is author of several well-known reference books, articles and lectures.

Full Professor of Construction and Technology at the School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho (EAAD-UM) and Researcher at the Laboratory of Landscapes, Heritage and Territory (Lab2PT). He teaches and researches in the field of Structures, focusing on the articulation between Structures and Architecture. Co-coordinator of the Architecture, Construction and Technology Hub (ACTech Hub). President of the EAAD-UM (2021-2023 and 2004-2011). Pro-Rector of the University of Minho for Quality of Life and Infrastructure (2017-2021). Director of Lab2PT (2015-2017). President of the Design Institute of Guimarães (2015-…). Director of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Minho (2003-2004). PhD in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain (1995). Master in Structural Engineering from the University of Porto, Portugal (1991). Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Porto, Portugal (1987). Founder and President of the “International Association of Structures and Architecture” (2016-2022). Coordinator of the organization of international congresses on this theme (ICSA2010, ICSA2013, ICSA2016, ICSA2019 and ICSA2022). Editor-in-Chief of the Journal “Architecture, Structures and Construction”, Springer, since 2021.