Brief
Nature as Inspiration: Since the dawn of time, humans have looked to nature for inspiration. From the cave dwellings of our ancestors to the bird-inspired designs of early flying machines, the natural world has always been our greatest muse. Today, we see this influence in the architectural marvels around us, from Gaudi’s use of nature’s functional forms to address structural problems to designs that use a ventilation system similar to sea sponges and corals. Biomimicry in architecture is not a new concept; it is a natural progression in our design evolution, a testament to our enduring connection with the natural world.
The AI Revolution: Now, we stand at the threshold of another revolution – the advent of artificial intelligence. This transformative technology promises to reshape our world, and architecture, with its inherent creativity, stands to be one of the most impacted and enriched fields. The introduction of AI in architecture heralds a future where design is not only more efficient and innovative but also significantly more sustainable.
The Competition: This competition represents a unique opportunity to delve into the intersection of biomimicry and artificial intelligence. We challenge you to create a project that is rooted in a strong biomimetic concept, while utilizing AI software as a fundamental part of the creative process. Together, we can shape a future where architecture is not only visually stunning but also inherently sustainable.
The Learning Journey: With the firm belief that an architecture competition is not just about the end result, but also about the journey of discovery and growth that leads to it, we are thrilled to offer an online course free for participants registered in the competition. This course, which focuses on AI and Biomimicry in architecture, aims to enhance your understanding and application of these concepts in your designs. Led by industry experts, this course is not merely an add-on, but a fundamental part of the competition experience. It’s our commitment to ensuring a comprehensive and enriching learning process.
Join us in this journey of exploration and discovery, and let’s redefine the future of architecture together.
Jury
Our jury, composed of globally recognized architects, ensures our participants receive the most insightful evaluation and recognition.
Bibiana Sciortino holds a Ph.D. in architecture from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and is a Co-founder of BSMA Architects. She also serves as the Co-founder and Director of the Antonio Gaudí Foundation based in Barcelona. With a diverse range of professional responsibilities, she actively engages in research, academia, cultural activities, and publications.
Bibiana brings extensive expertise in architectural project management, building restoration, interventions in historic and monumental structures, and specializes in sustainable architecture. During her time at Bassegoda practice in Barcelona, she contributed to over a hundred projects involving architecture, building restoration, and construction management.
Her remarkable accomplishments include restoration work on eight iconic works by Gaudí, such as Casa Batlló, Casa Calvet, Park Güell, Sanctuary of Misericordia (Reus), Finca Güell, Banner of Misericordia, Torre Mateu, and Alella Altarpiece.
Bibiana has made significant contributions as a researcher at the Gaudí Chair of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya from 1993 to 2007. Her tasks included research, cataloguing, and teaching. She is the author of the Doctoral Thesis titled "The Structural Concepts of Gaudí" and has written numerous publications on architectural research for the Gaudí Chair, Antonio Gaudí Foundation, and the Col·legi d'Arquitectes de Catalunya.
Furthermore, Bibiana has curated several exhibition catalogs and actively collaborated in organizing and producing various Gaudí exhibitions in Spain and multiple countries worldwide.
Louise Browne is an accomplished architect with nearly two decades of international experience in design, covering diverse sectors across Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia. Currently, she manages Grimshaw's East Asia Portfolio from Hong Kong, tackling a variety of large-scale projects that require both innovation and practicality
During her 13-years with Grimshaw, Louise has contributed to a range of cutting-edge projects. Including a new airport terminal and transport hub in Shenzhen, China. The design takes its inspiration from nature, incorporating multiple transport modes, native planting and water landscapes, and a roof design taking its form from mangrove trees, integrating complex systems into a cohesive and comfortable environment.
With an eye to the future her projects seek to fuel innovation and inspire future generations, Louise's interest in the future of design is also evident in her work on a Technology and Innovation Campus in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as well as a unique 17-storey vertical high school in Australia. These projects highlight her ability to rethink traditional concepts and implement innovative approaches to research and learning environments.
Before joining Grimshaw, Louise worked on significant international projects, such as the Grand Museum of Egypt and a UNESCO world heritage site at Giza. Her work also includes various transport and infrastructure projects across Asia and the Middle East, demonstrating a breadth of expertise and a commitment to quality design.
Since joining Heatherwick Studio in 2015, Pablo has been instrumental on Projects as well as leading the Geometry and Computational Design group.
As Head of Geometry and Computational Design at the studio, Pablo leads several Applied Research projects and a team of specialists that work across all studio projects. He also provides expertise and guidance on new technologies, techniques, and the execution of challenging geometries.
Pablo has previously been Deputy Project Leader on Coal Drops Yard, an award-winning retail quarter and public space in King’s Cross, London. He oversaw all packages on the scheme and coordinated their delivery between the studio and the executive architect during Stage 3 and Planning. From Stage 4 onwards, he focused on assisting the team to take the design through contract and later into construction. He was key to the development and fabrication coordination for all complex geometry related areas on the project, most notably the Upper Level.
Prior to working at the studio Pablo was based at SOM London where he worked on a number of projects and competitions of multiple scales in Europe and the Middle East.
Before relocating to London in 2010, his career was split between New York and Santiago, Chile, where he won international competitions and completed several projects. Pablo has lectured widely, and his personal work has been published and awarded internationally.
Education and Qualification
MSc, Emergent Technologies and Design, Architectural Association, London, 2011
Architect License, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago, Chile, 2004
Bsc (Hons) Architecture, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago, Chile, 2003
Jennifer Durand is part of the Computation and Design Research Group at Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA CODE). She is a certified Architect in Peru and holds a master's degree in Architectural Management and Design from IE University in Madrid, Spain, as well as a bachelor's degree in Architecture and Urbanism from Ricardo Palma University in Lima, Peru. Before joining ZHA, Jennifer worked at her own studio, OLA, which focused on web3 design, and at OVA, which focused on small to medium commercial and housing projects.
Jennifer also served as the main professor at Ricardo Palma University from 2020 – 2022, and was an assistant professor at the same university from 2019 - 2020. Additionally, she has taught various workshops on the application of technology in design.
Her metaverse projects have been featured in Archdaily, Parametric Architecture, and on Peruvian television channels and in newspapers. She has been invited to present her personal research and work at South Summit Madrid 2022, London Design Week 2023, and Pecha Kucha at the Pub organized by the Archi - Tech Network in 2023. Her interests lie in metaverse design and AI-focused architecture.
Diego Castro alias MONOMO is a CGI and AI digital artist/architect with a sharp focus on digital creation with an architectural background currently based in London, dedicated to delivering high-quality computer generated imagery and animations for unbuilt projects across the world. His exceptional Talent endorsement from the Arts Council England and mastery of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) and AI CLIP (Contrastive Language Image Pre-Training) Diffusion Models has enabled MONOMO to push the boundaries of digital creation, conceptual design, and art, to recreate futuristic bio-focused concepts.
He focused almost the past decade on building the MONOMO brand as a Computer-Generated Imagery powerhouse, initially focused on ArchViz, and now heading to the realms of digital worlds, conceptual design, and art His artwork has been featured in exhibitions in Paris and London, including the meta_contra_verse exhibition curated by Shiva Lynn Burgos and George Bak. With an exhibition in Times Square Billboards, New York, and has also been exhibited during the Venice Biennale.
Diego's AI-generated artwork, Synthesized Nature, explores the relationship between nature and architecture. His vision is to create organic structures that blend seamlessly with their environment, resulting in a symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. Through Artificial Intelligence Generational Models, Computer 3D modeling and ray-tracing rendering software, MONOMO is pushing the boundaries of what is possible and inspiring audiences to envision a future where nature and buildings can coexist in harmony, creating breathing architectural systems.
Stefan van Nederpelt is a Dutch architect with 15+ years of international experience.
Stefan graduated from the Technical University in Delft in 2007 and has been part of Architecture Teams designing healthcare projects in Belgium, Denmark, San Francisco and Switzerland. He was also a key contributor to the European Horizon 2020 Streamer project, focusing on environmentally sustainable design methodologies.
From 2015 to 2023, he lived in Switzerland where he worked as a senior architect at the internationally renowned office of Herzog & de Meuron.
Course
For this initiative we curated a course gathering the best architects and experts in AI and biomimicry. You can register to access the recordings.
Topic
Artificial Intelligence and Biomimicry
Duration
10 hours
Location
Online Recordings
Language
English (subtitles available in 35+ languages)
Certificate
Certificate of attendance issued to all participants
Prizes
6000
1st PRIZE
2000
2nd PRIZE
1000
3rd PRIZE
500
SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION
500
SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION
10
HONORABLE MENTIONS
50
FINALISTS
Calendar
Competition
Submission deadline
08 Nov
Winners announcement
29 Nov
Partners
Inspirational biomimicry projects
Frequently asked questions
Can I participate individually or as part of a team?
You can participate individually or as a team composed of up to four members. The registration fee must be paid per team, regardless of its number of members.
Can I participate if I'm not an architect or if I'm still studying?
Absolutely, our competition is inclusive and invites participation from anyone over 18 years old, including engineers, philosophers, sociologists, photographers, literally anyone! Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone with an interest in architecture and design, our competitions are open to your innovative solutions. Our goal is to gather a broad spectrum of perspectives and ideas.
Can I register today and modify the team members later?
Yes, you can modify your team members at any time. This includes adding or removing members, changing email addresses, or changing the team manager.
Can my team submit more than one proposal?
Each registration and fee payment allows the submission of one proposal. If your team wants to submit more than one, you can do so by registering and paying the registration fee as many times as proposals you want to submit.
Will I receive a certificate of participation for the online course?
Yes, if you attend the online course, you will receive a certificate of participation issued by Never Enough Architecture.
When will I know the exact dates when the course will take place?
Once we have confirmed the dates, we will notify all participants in a timely manner about when the online course will take place.
What happens if I can't attend one of the online classes?
We highly recommend attending the live classes as participants can receive feedback from the instructor and actively engage in dynamic discussions. However, if you are unable to attend due to any compatibility issues, all participants will have access to the recordings of the classes.
