REGISTER $30, AIA Member // $35, General // $20, Students

For millennia, earth architecture has long been practiced by societies across the globe, with earth serving as a cornerstone of the built environment. Utilizing this ancient and traditional building material has resulted in unique and novel forms of architectural innovation that are still evolving today. With rapid developments in artificial intelligence (AI), computational design, and additive manufacturing, the practice of earth architecture is primed for disruption, enabling designers to push the boundaries of this humble building material that go beyond design exploration and align with circular and regenerative building practices.

In this Final Review of the UC Berkeley Master of Advanced Architecture Design (MAAD) studio, researchers will share the results of their year-long investigation into the intersection of earth architecture and artificial intelligence. Directed by Professor Ronald Rael with leaders from HOK San Francisco’s Architecture, Engineering, and Regenerative Design studios, the program explores how earth can reassert itself as a material that responds to contemporary issues and technologies today. Participants are invited to observe and engage in the discussion as presenters delve into their research and design process in developing text-to-image generation and parametric design workflows that result in innovative earthen forms and systems. Accompanying the Final Review will be an exhibition of the Studio’s research, which will be on display at the Center for Architecture + Design.

1 - At the end of the session, participants will discover the history, processes, innovations and challenges of earth architecture and its relevance and applications in today’s built environment.

2 -  At the end of the session, participants will learn the science behind earth structures as models for resilient design and construction.

3 - At the end of the session, participants will understand how computational design, text-to-image generation, and additive manufacturing are impacting the process of design and manufacturing of earth structures.

4 - At the end of the session, participants will understanding the prompts and workflows of artificial intelligence on the design process.