Symbiotic Intelligence

This open access book is a compilation of selected papers from The 6th International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF 2024). The work focuses on novel techniques for computational design and robotic fabrication. The contents make valuable contributions to academic researchers, designers, and engineers in the industry. Also, readers will encounter new ideas about understanding symbiotic intelligence in architecture.

Hua Chai is a Postdoctoral researcher at the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) of Tongji University. He serves as a committee member of the Computational Design Academic Committee of the Architectural Society of China. His research focuses on advanced robotic production technologies for complex timber building systems. He received his Ph.D. from Tongji University in 2022. He visited the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD) at the University of Stuttgart for one year as guest researcher in 2020. His research has been widely published in journals and international conferences including Automation in Construction, ACADIA, Rob|Arch and Fabricate. He has been awarded CAADRIA Young in 2015, DigitalFUTURES Young in 2022. He was also awarded the fellowship of China National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents in 2022.

Ding Wen ‘Nic’ Bao is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture, PhD supervisor, and Architecture Technology Course Coordinator at RMIT University, where he directs FormX Research Lab. He is also a Senior Member of the RMIT Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials and RMIT Post-Carbon Research Centre. Nic’s research focuses on integrating architecture, computational design, structural engineering, robotic fabrication, and intelligent construction. With over 12 years of professional experience, he is a Registered Architect in Australia (ARBV) and United States (NCARB), and a RIBA Chartered Architect in the UK. He is also the Director of B.W Architects (BWA) and WonderForm Studio. Nic serves as a committee member of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA), Secretary and former Chair of Awards for CAADRIA, Board Member and Technology Officer for ACADIA, and a key organising committee for DigitalFUTURES, IASS 2023, and LSAA 2024. His work has been widely exhibited and published, with recognition at events such as HK BoDW, IASS Expo, Shenzhen Biennale, Melbourne Design Week, Venice Biennale, and ACADIA Exhibition, among others.

Zhe Guo is the Experimental Lecturer at the School of Architecture and Arts, Hefei University of Technology, and Head of the Computational Art&Architeture Laboratory (CAAL). She holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from Tongji University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Resource and Environmental Engineering at Tianjin University. She serves as a committee member of the Computational Design Academic Committee of the Architectural Society of China, Deputy Director of the Digital Folklore Inheritance and Creation Special Committee of the Anhui Folklore Society, and the member of DigitalFUTURES organizing committee. She has published over 30 academic papers on digital design research in international journals and conferences, and participated in numerous National Natural Science Foundation of China projects and provincial-level natural science foundation projects. Her research interests include interaction-based digital complex morphologies, generative design methods and technologies, and digital architectural heritage.

Philip F. Yuan is a professor and associate dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) at Tongji University, Honorary Fellow of American Institute of Architecture (Hon.FAlA). He has served as Thomas Jefferson professor at University of Virginia (UVA, 2019), the visiting professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, 2019), and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT, 2021). He is also the co-founder of DigitalFUTURES and Editor in Chief of Architectural Intelligence journal, the founder of Archi-Union Architects and Fab-Union Technology, council member of UIA Professional Practice Commission (PPC). Yuan is a pioneer in architectural intelligence and robotic fabrication, making achievements in both academic research and architectural practice. He emphasizes the integration of technological innovation and architectural culture, building environment and ethics, constantly seeking human-machine collaboration in the era of post-humanism. He was attributed with UA 2023 The Auguste Perret Prize for Technology in Architecture. His work has been recognized with notable awards, including 2022 AlA Open International Architecture Honor Award, 2022 Dezeen Award Best Civic Building, 2020 ACADIA Innovative Academic Program Award of Excellence etc. His works have been collected by MOMA New York, M+ Hong Kong and Centre National d'art et de Culture Georges Pompidou.