IASS 2025

I recently presented some of my research on spatial structures at the annual symposium of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures, IASS 2025, in Mexico City. My paper was entitled “Case study - Steel space frame roof for sports centre building of oval plan shape – including consideration of progressive collapse potential”. Many thanks to the Technological University of the Shannon Research Office and my Department (of the Built Environment) for co-funding my participation in the symposium. Many thanks also to the organizing committee for a great conference – including the field trips to see some of the iconic architectural and structural engineering landmarks of Mexico. On the field trips I was lucky enough to see some of the thin concrete shells of the great Felix Candela up close at the Bacardi Bottling Plant. I also got to visit the Torre Reforma, Winner of the 2018 International Highrise Award (for the world's most innovative high rise) and one of Mexico City’s tallest buildings at 246m and 57 storeys - where I got to meet the architect of the building, L. Benjamin Romano, principal of LBR&A Architecture, who graciously shared some of the design challenges and highlights of the project with us. It was good also to make some new contacts at IASS 2025, including Josu Goñi Martinez of LANIK and Valen Gomez-Jauregui of the Universidad de Cantabria, who I can hopefully collaborate with on future spatial structures research.

I was happy to present my first Ph.D. project at the IASS 2025 conference in Mexico City! The research, "Stress-Guided Corrugated Geometry for 3D Concrete Printed Building Envelopes," introduces a computational framework for designing high-performance 3DCP walls. We use stress analysis (FEA) to guide a reaction-diffusion algorithm, which allows us to create a lightweight, thermally efficient 3D-printed concrete envelope. This research was conducted under the supervision of my co-advisors at Penn State, Nathan Brown and Jose Pinto Duarte I'll be sure to post the full paper here once it is published! #IASS2025 #3DPC

IASS 2025 in Mexico City. I shared our work on a rocket launch tower for #NASA and how this industry-precedent structure joins the growing cannon of significant structures leveraging engineered steel castings for #lightweight #materialoptimization and #constructability. Thank you to the conference organizers for arranging visits to #felixcandela structures. Thin shell concrete hyperbolic paraboloids over 60 years old and beloved by the community are a definition of resilience and sustainability. I returned to London smiling and full of inspiration (and tacos, mole enchiladas, cactus soup, palm salad...)

Happy to have presented my research at IASS 2025 in Mexico City! 🇲🇽 This paper introduces StructuralDesigner3D, a C# plugin for Rhinoceros3D that enables the design of funicular, tensile, and pneumatic structures through Dynamic Relaxation. By transforming initial lines or meshes into spring systems, the plugin computes equilibrium states driven by the interaction of internal and external forces. Unlike existing tools that rely on visual programming (such as Kangaroo3D for Grasshopper), StructuralDesigner3D integrates the entire form-finding process directly into Rhino’s command interface, making it faster, simpler, and more intuitive. The article explores the plugin’s mathematical foundations, workflow, and practical applications, highlighting new possibilities for structural and architectural design. Try here for free: https://lnkd.in/gFmTykGb Article: https://lnkd.in/g2FSHhWU Website: https://lnkd.in/gsh5efwg #IASS2025 #StructuralDesign #FormFinding #ComputationalDesign #Rhinoceros3D #IASS2025

I had the honor of presenting my research at IASS 2025 in Mexico City! It was a great opportunity to share how the conception of lightweight structures for #ExpoWorldFairs has evolved and continues to inspire, alongside experts from around the world. I'm grateful to my mentor Juan Gerardo Oliva Salinas for his support, to the congress organizers and all the attendees. In my paper, I reflect on how Expo pavilions have shifted from being showcases of technical innovation to platforms for addressing today´s challenges. Efficiency means integrating technology, sustainability and etics to achieve lightness within the social and cultural context. This experience reinforce my passion about lightweight structures and remimded me of the importance of sharing ideas and connecting with peers that also strive to shape a better future. #IASS2025 #LightweightStructures #ExpoWorldFairs #Architecture #Engineering

Conference Presentation at IASS 2025 Mexico 2025 I presented, together with Dr. Juan Gerardo Oliva from UNAM, our paper titled “Structural Efficiency through Triangular Morphologies: Design and Analysis of a Pavilion with Henequen Fiber Connections” during the IASS Symposium in Mexico City. The research explores the potential of henequen fiber, a natural material traditionally used in artisanal contexts, as a sustainable component in lightweight structural systems. Through computational design methods, we analyzed its mechanical behavior, geometric efficiency, and capacity to optimize structural performance while minimizing environmental impact. This study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on natural fibers as structural materials, integrating digital design tools, sustainability, and material innovation in contemporary architecture.

Grateful for the opportunity to have participated in IASS 2025. A heartfelt thank you to ITESO Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, for making my attendance possible. The symposium was a fantastic confluence of brilliant minds pushing the boundaries of shell and spatial structures. I returned not only with new knowledge but also inspired by the incredible projects and the wonderful people behind them. The future of lightweight and sustainable construction looks bright!

🇲🇽✨ Last week I presented 𝗨𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺 at the IASS 2025 conference in Mexico City — a project from my PhD at ETH Zürich, developed with the support of Mark Hellrich, exploring unfolding formwork for sustainable concrete vaults. Thanks to the organisers and to everyone who joined the session for the inspiring discussion. It was great to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones. Grateful to the Block Research Group, ETH Zurich for the support that makes this work and my trip possible. The conference paper is available here: https://lnkd.in/e2cCX2EK I also really enjoyed Mexico City, its people, culture, and the inspiring architecture of Félix Candela and Luis Barragán. #IASS2025 #UnfoldForm #BendingActiveFormwork #ConcreteDesign #Architecture #ETHZurich #BlockResearchGroup #Candela #Barragán

I’m excited to have presented my research on 𝘈𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺-𝘖𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘚𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘴 𝘜𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘰𝘢𝘮 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦 at IASS 2025 in 𝗠𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆! My work explores how combining digital design and material innovation with 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 3𝗗 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 and 𝗳𝗼𝗮𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲 can help create more efficient, lightweight and sustainable structures that advance resource-efficient and low-carbon construction methods. A big thank-you to my supervisor and colleagues at the Lehrstuhl und Institut für Massivbau for the continuous support! Besides the conference, it was a pleasure to spend some time in Mexico, getting to know the country and its people, which made this experience even more memorable. You can read the paper here: https://lnkd.in/e8zDSEFU

Thrilled to have presented our research “Automated Visualization for Structural Form-Finding using Orchestrated Multimodal Machine Learning Agents” at IASS 2025 in Mexico City. This project, developed together with Lazlo Bleker, Mustafa Cem Gunes, and Pierluigi D'Acunto, explores how AI-driven agentic systems can support designers in structural form-finding and visual reasoning. Beyond the sessions, it was amazing to explore Mexico City, visiting iconic works by Félix Candela and other architectural landmarks that continue to inspire structural innovation. Grateful for the chance to exchange ideas and reconnect with brilliant minds in the field! #IASS2025 #AI #Architecture #StructuralDesign #FormFinding #MachineLearning #DesignComputation #FélixCandela