MSc in Computational Design and Digital Fabrication

Awarded by the University of Nicosia

University of Nicosia (UNic)
46 Makedonitissas Avenue, Engomi
P.O. Box 24005
1700 Nicosia – Cyprus

University of Innsbruck (UIbk)
Institute for Experimental Architecture.Hochbau
Technikerstrasse 21c, 6020
Innsbruck – Austria

PROGRAMME PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES

The MSc in Computational Design and Digital Fabrication investigates the relationship between computational tools and architectural design. The programme focuses on programming languages as the basis of computational design methods and digital fabrication tools, in an effort to attain a coherent understanding of the relationship between coding, design intent and built form.

The programme objective is to offer prospective participants the opportunity to develop computational design skills and hands-on cutting-edge fabrication techniques, while acquiring mature analytical thinking on the theory and applications of computational tools in architecture along with creative problem-solving working methods.

Most importantly, as the program is based on a Distance Learning Structure, students have the ability to learn remotely from faculty of the University of Nicosia and the University of Innsbruck, whose Architecture Departments are focused on these cutting edge technologies, as well as gain access, via the 2 on-site intensive workshops, to the ARC Fab Lab in Nicosia and the Robotic Lab (REXLAB) of the Institute for Experimental Architecture in Innsbruck, which has a strong background of robotic research in architecture by establishing connections between academia and industry.

The online courses cultivate the students’ computational skills for their attendance of the 2 intensive on-site fabrication workshops where they can test their newly acquired knowledge on-site. This allows participants to establish academic and industry connections, become part of the global community of parametric design and computational research in digital fabrication, an ever-growing industry increasingly important for the built environment.

HOSTING INSTITUTIONS

The MSc in Computational Design and Digital Fabrication is offered by the University of Nicosia in collaboration with the University of Innsbruck, Institute for Experimental Architecture Hochbau.

PROGRAMME CONTENT

* Responding to the current assessment of the Covid-19 Pandemic, and according to the contingency plan determining the future response, planning, and delivery of the two ground Workshops part of the MSc CDDF curriculum, the mode of delivery for the 2022-2023 workshops has now been updated as follows:

  • FALL 2022, University of Nicosia, Cyprus: Mode 1, Face-to-Face
  • SPRING 2023, University of Innsbruck: Mode 1, Face-to-Face

Upon completion of the programme participants are expected to:

  1. Have acquired knowledge and expertise in computational design and digital fabrication in relation to the design of buildings and architecture in general. Courses cover programming for computational design and digital fabrication using cutting edge CNC tools (Industrial Robots, 3D printers, Laser Cutters etc.)
  2. Have developed a critical awareness of specific design methodologies, current applications and emerging advances in the field of computational design and digital fabrication.
  3. Be able to acknowledge and identify the effect of these methodologies and applications in the production of the built environment.
  4. Demonstrate an ability to use research to create and interpret knowledge.
  5. Show originality in the application of analysis and research knowledge in the field of computational design and digital fabrication through design projects.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate current methodologies and develop critiques of them, in relation to the question set and the outcome of the method.
  7. Identify problems from design to fabrication processes and provide solutions based on feedback loops between digital and material world.
  8. Display high-level and sought-after skills in pursuing computational design research, including software skills, 3D-modelling, computer programming and coding.
  9. Display high-level skills in pursuing digital fabrication and material research, including material properties understanding and physical prototyping.
  10. Demonstrate the ability to utilize material fabrication techniques and physical prototyping as a medium of better design communication and as a testing ground for improving design methods and outcome.
  11. Unfold leadership skills, through teamwork and workshops, relative to architectural workflows with the purpose of enriching current practices or introducing new processes that can provide design solutions as a result of automated, computational processes.
  12. Develop the capacity to creatively deal with complex problems either individually or as part of a group through research and design projects.
  13. Acquire the ability to communicate research and design conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences through design projects and presentations

The postgraduate programme operates as a cross-disciplinary platform aiming to bring together participants from various design and engineering specializations. The course is open to architects, interior designers, industrial designers, artists, graphic designers, engineers and suitably qualified candidates from other disciplines. For admission to the programme the candidates should submit the following documents:

  • Completed application form.
  • Curriculum Vitae.
  • Detailed Portfolio displaying the background and/or interest in the theme of computational design and digital fabrication.
  • Basic computing experience.
  • A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (together with a transcript) from an accredited institution of higher education.
  • Short statement (approximately two pages) of personal goals, research aims and the reasons for your interest in the course.
  • If your first language is not English, you might be requested to demonstrate that you meet the University of Nicosia Postgraduate Admissions Requirements for English Language Proficiency found here: https://www.unic.ac.cy/admission-requirements/.
  • Contact Details of two referees, preferably one from academia and one from a professional supervisor.
  • Other documents that might support the application (e.g. articles, books, awards).
  • The admissions process may include an interview during which the candidate can take a few minutes to present a topic of his own choice

Compulsory Courses
ARCH-570DL Digital Fabrication – University of Nicosia
ARCH-571DL Theory and Evolution of Computational Design
ARCH-572DL Computational Design Processes
ARCH-580DL Robotic Fabrication – University of Innsbruck
ARCH-581DL Interactive Design
ARCH-582DL Performance Based Design

Elective Courses
ARCH-590DL Research Methodology in Design & Technology
ARCH-593DL Special Topics in Computation
ARCH-591DL Design Project
ARCH-592DL Thesis

The MSc in Computational Design and Digital Fabrication (MSc CDDF) is a degree offered in collaboration with the University of Innsbruck, Faculty of Architecture, and The Institute for Experimental Architecture. The programme belongs to the Department of Architecture, which is under the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Nicosia. The Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences is Professor Klimis Mastoridis. Head of the Department of Architecture is Ms Markella Menikou, Associate Professor.

All information about the teaching staff and student obligations, the policy for absences/ failure/ postponement/ interruption of study/ removal from students’ registry, disciplinary control, etc. are outlined in the University Of Nicosia Internal Regulations, (Chapter 2, ACADEMIC POLICIES). The document can be found online here: www.unic.ac.cy/academic-calendar/academic-policies/

Additionally, DL Students can also refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section, here: www.unic.ac.cy/distance-learning/faq/

ACADEMIC/ TEACHING PERSONNEL & THEIR QUALIFICATIONS

Pavlos Fereos, Senior Scientist, UIbk (programme coordinator)

Pavlos Fereos is a Senior Scientist at Institute of Experimental Architecture in Innsbruck, teaching Robotic Fabrication at REX|LAB and Design Studio. He holds a MArch and a MSc in Architectural Research from the NTUA.

He also holds an M.Arch from the Design Research Laboratory of the Architectural Association where he also directed the AA Visiting Schools in Cyprus and Innsbruck, while he has taught at the Bartlett and London Southbank University and he’s a PhD Candidate at UCL.

He is a RIBA Part 3 registered Architect, has collaborated with MVRDV in competition entries and he is a partner at Fereos + Associates with several realized projects and numerous awarded including 1st and 2nd prize in Architectural competitions. He’s director of Decode Fab Lab, a Fabrication and Prototyping Lab in Athens, focusing on medium to large scale 3D-Printing, Laser-cutting, CNC and Robotic prototyping techniques.

Michail Georgiou, Associate Professor, UNic (programme coordinator)

Michalis Georgiou is an associate professor (programme co-coordinator) at the Department of Architecture, ARC, of the University of Nicosia in the field of Computational Design and Digital Fabrication. He is a practicing architect/founding member of HUB design platform, SEAMLEXITY and OOM. He holds a MSc in Adaptive Architecture and Computation from the Barlett and a MArch from NTUA. His current research focuses in developing and applying computational tools in assisting and enriching design and construction processes. Before moving on to realize his own professional collaborations and projects Michalis has worked with Foster + Partners in London, as a design architect and design analyst, member of the Specialist’s Modeling Group. He is a registered Architect in ARB/UK and ETEK/Cyprus, while his work has received numerous local and international distinctions including the state architecture award and a recent nomination for the European Union Mies Van Der Rohe prize.

Odysseas Georgiou, Adjunct Faculty, UNic

Odysseas Georgiou is a computational design engineer at SEAMLEXITY and adjunct Faculty at the Department of Architecture [ARC] University of Nicosia. He holds an MEng from the School of Civil Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens and an MPhil in Digital Architecture from the University of Bath where he researched on computational geometry & structural optimisation.

He has practiced at Buro Happold Engineers London collaborating with renowned international architectural practices in designing geometrically complex structures. He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Bath researching interactive approaches to structural design and reinventing forms based on their structural performance.

Eftihis Efthimiou, Adjunct Faculty

Eftihis is a biologist and a computational design specialist, with a diploma from the Uni. of Ioannina and a M.Arch GAD from the Volos School of Architecture, Uth, with honours. He is researching complex architectural geometry problem solving through the use of autopoetic design systems. His base is Decode Fab Lab, where he holds the position of Head of Training and Computational Instructor. Apart from that, he is heavily focused on Academia. He is currently a Lecturer at the “Computational Design & Digital Fabrication Msc”, at the Architrecture Dept., Unic and a Scientiffic Collaborator at the Advanced Design Graduate Program, Architecture Dept. Auth, where he teaches computational design & digital fabrication. He is also a Research Associate in A.U.Th. In the past he used to teach at the Architrecture Dept., UIbk, as a Visiting Lecturer and a Senior Scientist, and at the Architrecture Dept., Volos, Uth, as a Teaching Assistant. His work has been presented in numerous exhibitions around Europe, exploring both the technical and expressive aspects of computational design for the articulation of architectural form. 

Dr Tonia Sophocleous- Lemonari, Assistant Professor 

Tonia entered the domain of structural analysis and design in 1994 as a Civil Engineering graduate from the National Technical University of Athens. She has been a qualified professional (CSTC, CyACE, CCEAA membership) specialized in Structural Engineering for her 5-year long studies. She has been conducting research which initiated by the “Investigation of Various Schemes for Dynamic Structures”. She’s been actively carrying out investigation and in 2005 she obtained a 2nd Master in Management expanding her interests. Her ongoing passion in scientific experimentation brought her in contact with the University in 2005, which gave her a lifelong interest in adapting to new methods of teaching utilizing research methods and technology tools and serving as a master program’s coordinator. Her research career boosted when, during her teaching at the National University, she encountered the specialized academics in her research interest field who inspired her to earn a Ph.D. for her research on “Adaptable Dual Control Systems” in 2012. Her work was published in key refereed international journals and presented in fifteen international conferences across Europe and Asia. Her research has been informing professional practice as a structural analyst and designer since 2000. She’s been applying exploration as an employed organizations’ consultant.  

Fanos Katsaris, Adjunct Faculty

Fanos is the director and founder of fkat.studio LLC, an architectural practice based in Cyprus, collaborating with world-renowned practices, such as Heatherwick Studio. Before the birth of his practice, he worked as a Project Architect and Package Leader at Heatherwick Studio in London, as well as a Leader in the studio’s Computational Design Team, GeCode. He is proficient in various digital fabrication tools, BIM, 3D modelling and visualization software including Mixed reality solutions.

Fanos’s experience includes masterplan design, mixed-use tower design (hotels, residential, offices, retail), world-class performance center design, luxury and highend condos, commercial and education projects. Other experience includes teaching 3D software at the Architectural Association, Royal College of Art and Goldsmiths University, as well as exhibitions at world famous cultural centers such as the V&A London, FRAC Centre Orleans and others.

Fanos holds a professional architecture degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and a post-professional Interaction Research degree from the MA Interaction Research Programme from Goldsmiths University, both graduated with distinction. He is a registered architect with the Architects Registration Board UK since 2015, the Technical Chamber of Cyprus since 2014 and is an elected member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Ioulios Georgiou, Adjunct Faculty, UNic

Ioulios Georgiou is an architect and computational designer, specialized in digital fabrication technologies. His practice focuses on architectural design, as well as consulting for additive manufacturing companies. He is also involved in research and teaching at the University of Nicosia.

Ioulios holds a Master of Science in Architecture from TU Berlin and a Master of Advanced Studies from ETH Zurich, specializing in digital fabrication. He has professional experience at architecture firms in Germany, such as KEC Architekten where he was mostly focused on technical design, BIM, and construction implementation. He is a registered Architect at Architektenkammer/Berlin and ETEK/Cyprus. Ioulios is also certified by McNeel as an Authorized Rhino Trainer(ART) and is a recipient of two scholarships and various honors from architectural competitions.

Georg Grasser, Senior Lecturer, UIbk

Georg Grasser studied architecture at the University of Innsbruck, Ecole d’Architecture de Paris la Villette, Vienna University of Technology and holds a Postgraduate Degree in architecture, specialization in computer aided architectural design from the ETH Zurich.

He is currently teaching at the New Design Universtiy St.Pölten and researching at the Department for Experimental Architecture / Hochbau at the University of Innsbruck, where he is currently co-running the robotic laboratory. In his research he is focusing on additive manufactured concrete structures and self-organized folding strategies of textile reinforced concrete.

Christina Christoforou, Computational design and digital fabrication specialist, UNic

Christina studied at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, US, for two years and continued her studies at the University of Nicosia, in the Department of Architecture (ARC) from where she received her Professional Diploma in Architecture in 2018. She has been working and teaching as a fabrication specialist at the University of Nicosia since 2017.

Christina has a strong interest in Computational Design and Digital Fabrication and was involved in the design, fabrication, and construction of several Pavilions. In 2017, she participated at the FAB FEST LONDON Competition and awarded the first place in the fabrication category. Her diploma research project focused on fabricating deployable, adaptable Pavilion structures, whereas her thesis project focused on the role of pavilions for Architecture. Christina is a registered Architect at ETEK/Cyprus.

ADVISORY

Dr. Marjan Colleti, Professor, UIbk

Marjan Colletti architect (I and UK), educator, author, researcher. Born in Bolzano/Bozen Italy in 1972, he graduated with distinction from Innsbruck University in 1997. After having worked for Giencke&Co. in Austria, and after having registered as an architect in Italy he moved to London.

He graduated with distinction with a Master’s of Architectural Design from the Bartlett School of Architecture UCL in 1999, where he afterwards completed a PhD by Architectural Design programme entitled Digital Poetics: An Enquiry into the Properties of ‘Mimetic Intrafaces’ and the ‘Twoandahalf Dimensionality’ of Computer-Aided Architectural Design.

He is p/t Chair Professor in Building Design and Construction at the University of Innsbruck Austria and Head of the Institute for Experimental Architecture, where he founded REX|LAB, and in parallel p/t Full Professor in Architecture and Post Digital Practice (world’s first) and the MArch programme co-director at the Bartlett School of Architecture UCL. He has taught in many other institutions in the UK, the US, the EU and Asia.

He is a respected member of the international architectural community, contributing in particular to the topics of design-research in architecture, research-led education, digital design and postdigital practice. He regularly lectures, exhibits, collaborates and publishes internationally and acts as peer reviewer for several institutions around the globe.

Martha Tsigkari is a Partner and a member of the Applied Research and Development (ARD) group at Foster + Partners. She is a specialist in a wide range of areas including Performance-driven Design and Optimisation, Interfaces & Interaction, Design-to-production and Fast Feedback & Integration. Her work incorporates the development of simulation tools, the introduction of integrated processes and the creation of physical interfaces. She has provided solutions for hundreds of diverse projects such as the new airport for Mexico City, Lusail Iconic Stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the new metro stations for Jeddah, UAE’s 2015 Expo Pavilion, the Sheikh Zayed Museum and YachtPlus Boat Fleet. She is a member of the RIBA, a tutor at UCL and a juror at AA. She has taught, lectured and published on the subjects of BIM, parametric and algorithmic design internationally.

GUEST LECTURES

Keynote Speakers:

  • Marjan Colletti, Professor the Bartlett UCL and Innsbruck University
  • Christos Passas, Director, Zaha Hadid Architects

Visiting Lecturers:

  • Przemek Jaworski – CEO ZMorph Multifunction 3D Printers
  • Era Savvides – Director -Urban Radicals
  • Atanas Zhelev – Founder, CEO Digital Architects
  • Yiannis Perikleous – Partner A. J. Pericleous
  • Sandy Karagkouni – Design Manager, WeWork
  • Martha Tsigkari – Foster+Partners ARD Group

Keynote Speakers:

  • Martha Tsigkari – Foster+Partners ARD Group

Visiting Lecturers:

  • Dimitrios Papadopoulos – Senior Scientist AVVIR
  • Angelos Chronis – Head of City Intelligence Lab – IAAC
  • Tryfon Foteinopoulos – BIM Manager Pilbrow and Partners
  • Martha Tsigkari –  Foster+Partners ARD Group
  • Jon Mirtschin – Director and Founder, Geometry Gym

Keynote Speakers:

  • Gregory Penellis – Managing Director, Penelis Consulting Engineers SA

Visiting Lecturers:

  • Foteini Setaki – Founder, theNewRaw
  • Konstantinos Psomas, Director, Psomas Architects
  • Giorgos Neophytou, Project Manager, Lois Builders
  • Dr Dragos Naicu – Researcher and Computational Designer
  • Adonis Zachariades – Founder, Renovi
  • Era Savvides – Director -Urban Radicals
  • Yiannis Perikleous – Partner A. J. Pericleous
  • Efstratios Georgiou – Architect, KPF
  • Leonidas Leonidou – Head of Applied Research and Computational Geometry, AI BUILD

Keynote Speakers:

  • Eraclis Papachristou – Spatial Interactions

Visiting Lecturers:

  • Jomana Baddad & Indra Santosa – Earthen Construction in the Digital Age
  • Mariana Cabugueira – Digital Fluid Design
  • Patrick Bedarf – Towards a New Monolithic

SCHOLARSHIPS

We offer two types of scholarships to eligible students of the MSc in Computational Design and Digital Fabrication.

Academic Merit
Scholarship

Type: Merit Based
Amount: 20%

This scholarship will be offered to students with strong academic records, regardless of their previous diploma relevance to computational design.Minimum level required for undergraduate degree will be an ‘upper class’ 2:1 UK degree or equivalent.

20%

Application Process
Submit online MSc Program Application, the Scholarship Application, Cover Letter, Undergraduate Transcript and Sample of Work in pdf format (8 pages max)

Computational Background Scholarship

Type: Merit BasedAmount: 40%This scholarship will be offered to students with proven strong background in computational design and/or digital fabrication in their bachelor studies (fabrication workshops, programming or coding experience). Again a 2:1 equivalent degree should be considered, but not necessarily required if a strong portfolio is submitted.

40%

Application Process
Submit online MSc Program Application, the Scholarship Application, Cover Letter, Undergraduate Transcript and Sample of Work in pdf format (8 pages max)

Additionally to the above scholarships, we offer two 60% Scholarships; One Early Bird Scholarship for all applicants and one Archisearch scholarship for Greek Residents/Nationals for the academic year 2023 -24.

Along with the below scholarship application, all requested documents for scholarship evaluation must be submitted using the online programme application dashboard, that you will be automatically logged into once you submit the Request Information form on this website.

Start an Application Today!

Three Easy Steps to Get Started:

  • Submit the form on the right to create an online student account.
  • You will be automatically logged in to your online account where you can start an application.
  • Complete the online application and submit it. It is simple, straightforward and only takes 5 minutes.

That’s it! Once you submit your application, one of our admissions advisors will contact you with more information and to answer any questions.

Request Information