SYMPOSIUM: Towards Integrative Design

The department of Integrative/s Design | Extremes and the Bio-Futures for Transplanetary Habitats initiative are pleased to invite you to the “Towards Integrative Design” Symposium, where experts and thinkers will explore the challenges facing our built environment and present innovative responses that lead to long-lasting structures, bio- integrated materials, and inclusive living environments for all beings. We seek contributions from practitioners, researchers and theorists addressing the profound transformations driven by digital technologies, such as 3D printing, robotics, and autonomous systems.

The symposium aims to generate discussions on design-driven, innovative construction for regenerative architecture that integrates biological principles into architectural and material practices, generating positive environmental impacts. It focuses on exploring the intersections between bio-integrated architecture and advanced computational design processes. We are particularly interested in implementation strategies, scaling-up current state-of-the-art, and translating research into practical applications. Additionally, we seek practitioners who adopt an integrated approach, where function, design, fabrication, and computation are seamlessly intertwined into a unified design strategy and workflow. 

The event will showcase novel projects and research in sustainable building construction, computational design, robotic fabrication, and material innovation such as the characterization of responsiveness properties of biomaterials or the use of mycelium in high performance environments. We invite contributions for a short oral presentation and for posters.

Keynote talks

Prof. Fabio Gramazio , Gramazio Kohler Research, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland

Prof. Mette Ramsgaard Thomsen, Digital Technologies, Centre for Information Technology and Architecture (CITA), Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Kopenhagen, Denmark

Prof. Alexander Bismarck, Head of Department of Materials Chemistry, University of Vienna, Austria

Registration Form - until March 30 ^th

Participation is free of charge, offering the opportunity to engage with leading discussions in the field without a registration fee. However, please note that travel, accommodation, and meals are not included. The symposium will take place onsite only (Architecture Faculty, Technikerstraße 21, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria), and no recordings will be available.

Registration form

Participate (abstract submissions now closed)

• Short oral presentation
• Poster exhibit

What to Submit

• Abstract (max. 500 words)
• Representative image
• Use template (see link below)

Publication Opportunity

• Selected abstracts will be published in the Journal  Research Directions: Biotechnology Design
• Presenters will be invited to submit for a peer-reviewed paper (Results, Analysis, or Impact content)
• Posters will be selected for Community content

Key dates

Abstract submission deadline: January 31st 2025

EXTENDED abstract submission deadline: February 14th 2025

Registrations from: February 1st 2025

Abstract acceptance: start of March 2025

Registration closes: 30th March 2025

Symposium: 22nd – 23rd May 2025

Extra social day: 24th May 2025

Organizing committee

Prof. Dr. Barbara Imhof, Dr. Layla van Ellen, Dr. Monika Brandić Lipińska, MSc. Anne-Sofie Belling
Dr. Judith Ascher-Jenull, MArch. Natalia Piorecka, DI Frank Ludin, Mag. Simone Rautschek

Support:
Florenz Marks, Ash Reitsamer, Finn Seethaler, Henning Dörfler, Irina Radeva

With Welcome from
Prof. Peter Trummer, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture Innsbruck
Prof. Karolin Schmidbaur, Dean of Study of the Faculty of Architecture Innsbruck