Never Enough Architecture

Alberto T. Estévez - Biodigital Architecture: Natural Intelligence & Artificial Intelligence.
2023-09-21 17:00 - 18:00 (Europe/Madrid) | Zoom Call
Renowned architect Alberto Estévez presents “Biodigital Architecture: Natural Intelligence & Artificial Intelligence” in a conference that explores the fusion of nature’s wisdom and AI-driven innovation. Participants gain insights into a visionary approach, envisioning ecologically responsive and intelligent structures, shaping a promising future for architecture.
About Alberto T. Estévez
Alberto T. Estévez (Barcelona, 1960), Architect (UPC, 1983), Architecture Ph.D. of Sciences (UPC, 1990), Art Historian (UB, 1994), Art History Ph.D. of Arts (UB, 2008). With a professional office of architecture and design (Barcelona, 1983-today). Chairman-Professor (Catedrático) in Architecture, teaching in different universities, in the knowledge’s areas of architectural design, architectural theory and art history (TU Wien, UB Barcelona, Uni-ak Wien, Elisava- UPF, UDEM Monterrey). Founding as first Director the ESARQ School of Architecture (UIC Barcelona, 1996), as an avant-garde international school in its first decade: it was then the first school in the world with an architecture curriculum including –among other things– mandatory subjects of sustainability and international cooperation, as well as laboratories for biological architecture (genetics: for first time in the history of architecture, geneticists working with architectural objectives, in a real application of genetics to architecture) and digital architecture (manufacturing). He also founded two research lines there, with two officially accredited research groups, two masters’ degrees and Ph.D. programs: “History, Architecture and Design” (UIC Barcelona, 1998- today) and “Genetic Architectures / Biodigital Architecture” (UIC Barcelona, 2000-today). As well as the Master of International Cooperation with Alex Levi and Amanda Schachter (UIC Barcelona, 2004-today). He was also the Founder and 1st Director of the UIC Barcelona PhD Program of Architecture. He has written more than two hundred publications, and has participated in a large number of exhibitions, congresses, committees and juries. Invited to give more than one hundred lectures around the world, presenting his ideas, research, projects and works of architecture and design: in the last 20 years on biodigital architecture & genetics. He was also Vice-Chancellor/General-Manager of UIC Barcelona (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya), where he is currently the Director of iBAG-UIC Barcelona (Institute for Biodigital Architecture & Genetics) after founding it.

Mario Andruet - Beyond Imitation: Gaudí's Biomimicry and the Modern Architectural Paradigm
2023-09-21 15:00 - 16:00
“Nature is my master.” In this brief statement, Antonio Gaudí summarized his fundamental idea about architectural creation: Studying the natural environment as a book that offers countless lessons applicable to the creation of healthy, safe and comfortable spaces. In this class we will deepen into some of the solutions inspired by laws and processes of nature with which Gaudí anticipated the modern concept of Biomimesis by a century.
About Mario Andruet
Mario Andruet, an architect based in Barcelona, boasts 35 years of expertise in architectural projects ranging from new constructions to historic restorations. He is a co-founder of BSMA Architects and currently serves as the President of the Antonio Gaudí Foundation. His career not only highlights hands-on architecture but also extends to research, cultural endeavors, and academic pursuits.
Some notable accomplishments include:
– A decade-long research tenure (1993-2007) at the Gaudí Chair of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, where he also organized exhibitions on Antonio Gaudí’s works.
– Teaching stints at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Barcelona and the Escuela de Arquitectura, Universidad de Navarra.
– Collaborations on over a hundred architectural projects at the Bassegoda firm in Barcelona.
– Restoration of eight Gaudí masterpieces, including Casa Batlló, Park Güell, and Casa Calvet.
– Lectures on Gaudí’s work and sustainable architecture across countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, the US, and Peru.
– Production and organization of 16 international exhibitions.
– Curation of Gaudí-themed exhibitions in cities like Madrid, Lima, and Sao Paulo.
– Authorship of numerous publications, spanning books, articles, and research, primarily affiliated with the Gaudí Chair and Antonio Gaudí Foundation.

Mick Pearce - Learning from termites: The Eastgate Center
2023-09-18 17:00 - 18:00
In this enlightening talk, renowned architect Mick Pearce will delve into the innovative design of The Eastgate Center in Harare, Zimbabwe, and its inspiration from the natural world. Drawing parallels between the intricate structures of termite mounds and modern architectural designs, Pearce will highlight the importance of biomimicry in sustainable building practices.
The Eastgate Center stands as a testament to the potential of nature-inspired design. Pearce will discuss how the building’s passive cooling system, modeled after the ventilation systems of termite mounds, reduces energy consumption and provides a comfortable environment for its occupants. This architectural marvel not only showcases the benefits of integrating natural systems into urban designs but also emphasizes the role of indigenous knowledge in modern architecture.
Expanding on the theme of biomimicry, Pearce will also talk about other projects, such as the Council House 2 in Melbourne. This building, like The Eastgate Center, draws inspiration from termite mounds to achieve energy efficiency and sustainability. Pearce will elaborate on the design elements that make this building a shining example of green architecture.
Pearce will underscore the importance of looking to nature for solutions to modern architectural challenges. By studying and emulating the strategies employed by organisms like termites, architects can create buildings that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally responsible.

About Mick Pearce:
Mick Pearce is a renowned Zimbabwean architect known for his innovative approach to sustainable architecture and his commitment to environmentally-friendly building practices. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Pearce’s work is deeply influenced by the natural landscapes and ecosystems of his homeland.
Pearce gained international acclaim for his design of The Eastgate Centre in Harare, a building inspired by the natural ventilation systems found in termite mounds. This groundbreaking project showcased Pearce’s dedication to biomimicry, a design approach that seeks solutions from nature to address human challenges.
Throughout his illustrious career, Pearce has championed the integration of indigenous knowledge and traditional building techniques with modern architectural practices. His designs, which span across various countries, are a testament to the potential of blending nature with urban development.
A visionary in the field of sustainable architecture, Mick Pearce continues to inspire architects worldwide with his unique perspective on design and his unwavering commitment to creating a harmonious balance between the built environment and the natural world.

Jennifer Durand - AI-Driven Architectural Concepts: Mastering Materiality and Atmospheres with Midjourney
2023-09-17 15:00 - 17:00
With the advancement of artificial intelligence, architects have had to adapt their design process to new technologies. This workshop will offer an overview of how to integrate our creative way of thinking and seeing the world with a very popular AI image generated tool called Midjourney. On the one hand, students will understand what the Midjourney tool is about and its basic commands in order to generate a quality result. And on the other hand they will develop. And on the other hand, they will develop a way of thinking about how to create prompts for midjourney based mainly on materiality and creating atmospheres.
About Jennifer Durand
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.

Jennifer Durand - Architectural Design in the Age of AI: Unleashing the Potential of Midjourney
2023-09-16 15:00 - 17:00

Jamie Miller - Introduction to Biomimicry
2023-09-14 17:00 - 18:00
Biomimicry is a new term for a very old idea. It’s the way in which we look to nature to inspire better designs. And for the last twenty years, it’s been emerging as a powerful lens for helping us confront the wicked problems we face as a species. In this masterclass, we intend to provide two things: An introduction to its application and, a deeper dive into the ways that biomimicry can go beyond just copying the form and how the deeper principles of emulating nature’s processes and systems are where we will see the greatest advancements in its application.
About Jamie Miller
Jamie is a visionary in the field of biomimicry and is a renowned expert as the Director of Biomimicry for B+H Architects. He is also the President of Biomimicry Frontiers and Founder of the Biomimicry Commons, Jamie’s award-winning sustainability consultancy and education platform, which help him accelerate his commitment to shifting our perception of nature and creating harmonious systems. Jamie holds a Ph.D. in engineering, specializing in biomimicry and urban resilience, where he worked closely with Indigenous communities and learned how to blend indigenous wisdom and deep biomimicry principles. Jamie’s three TEDx talks and directorship at OCAD University’s Biomimicry Program also his ability to inspire and educate. Through his mission, Jamie elevates the potential to transform visions into regenerative realities.
