ITECH Master Studio

The ITECH MSc Thesis project “Copilot for Constraint-driven Generation of Architectural Design Evaluations and Suggestions” (2025) has been awarded the Fischer Group Prize 2026 in the category „Technologie, Verfahren und Methoden im Bauwesen“ (Technology, Processes and Methods in Construction)!

Developed by Juan David Frank and Alfiia Shakurianova, the project explores how AI can support compliance-aware architectural design through integrated computational workflows. It addresses the complexity of highly regulated building design and construction processes, where fragmented expert feedback, time-consuming compliance checks, and iterative revisions often slow down architectural workflows and can lead to costly delays or post-construction issues.

The research introduces an AI-powered methodology for early-stage compliance checking of BIM models under German regulations, combined with automated design suggestions to support architects in iterative decision-making. Built on a multi-agent system using large language models (LLMs) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), the framework interprets regulatory texts and evaluates graph-based BIM data.
The project highlights a co-design workflow in which AI acts as a co-pilot supporting decision-making while the architect remains in control of the design process.

The thesis project was advised by Dr.-Ing. Tobias Schwinn and Anni Dai, and supervised by Prof. Achim Menges (ICD) and Prof. Thomas Wortmann (ICD/CA).
For more information about the project, please visit:
https://www.itech.uni-stuttgart.de/itech-thesis-projects/2025-copilot-for-constraint-driven-generation-of-architectural-design-evaluations-and-suggestions/

Image credits: © J.D. Frank, A. Shakurianova, ITECH University of Stuttgart, 2025

The ITECH Thesis Project “Shape_Shift” has been awarded the Fischer Group Prize 2026 in the category „Technologie, Verfahren und Methoden im Bauwesen“ (Technology, Processes and Methods in Construction)!

Developed by Nadine Aderhold, Bryan Martino, and Qu Wang, Shape_Shift explores new possibilities for responsive lightweight architecture through the development of a Multi-Step Sectional 4D Printing (MS4DP) method.

Building upon the emerging field of 4D printing, the research demonstrates how cellulose-based structures can be printed flat and autonomously transform into programmed geometries solely in response to moisture, without any external energy input.
By combining multi-step fabrication strategies with lightweight sectional geometries, Shape_Shift expands 4D printing beyond thin responsive surfaces towards larger, stronger, and geometrically complex self-shaping systems. The project addresses longstanding challenges in the architectural application of 4D printing and highlights the potential of biobased materials, computational design, and additive manufacturing to create responsive structures that adapt to their environment while reducing material and energy consumption.

The thesis project was advised by the researchers Ekin Sila Sahin (ICD) and Fabian Eidner (itke), and supervised by Prof. Achim Menges (ICD) and Prof Jan Knippers (itke).

For more information about the project, please visit:
https://www.ms4dp.com/
https://www.itech.uni-stuttgart.de/itech-thesis-projects/2025-shape_shift/

Image credits: © N. Aderhold, B. Martino, Q. Wang, ITECH University of Stuttgart, 2025

We’re excited to announce that the ITECH thesis project „Curve-Fit - Spatial Frames Through Deployable Curved Folded Modules“ has been awarded the Green Concept Award 2026 in the Category of Building Design! 🎉
Congratulations to ITECH alumni Alan Eskildsen, Carolina Leite Vieira, Pinaki Mohanty!

The award was presented at the Green Product Award ceremony, where ITECH alumni Pinaki Mohanty accepted it on behalf of the team.
The Green Concept Award is part of the internationally recognized Green Product Awards, and celebrates cutting-edge ideas in sustainable design.

We are thrilled to see the innovative and interdisciplinary work of our ITECH being recognized!

For more information on the project, please our website.

Congratulations to ITECH alumni Alan Eskildsen, Carolina Leite Vieira, Pinaki Mohanty for this great recognition, as well as advisers Axel Körner, Simon Bechert, and supervisors Prof. Jan Knippers (itke) and Prof. Achim Menges (ICD), who guided and supported the team throughout the project.

On Wednesday, June 24th Laia Mogas-Soldevila (DumoLab* Research) will give a talk titled “Biogenic Systems from Science to Design” as part of our ITECH Expert Lecture series.

Laia Mogas-Soldevila is the Director at DumoLab Research (DLR) and Graduate Architecture faculty at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania. She holds an interdisciplinary PhD in biomedical engineering and pioneers the field of biomaterial architectures by integrating life science practices into bio-fabricated material systems for design. Her laboratory develops water-based design and fabrication methods for responsive and regenerative building systems and everyday objects. Her work, awarded by the Johnson&Johnson Foundation, is recognized in global exhibitions as well as scientific journals, and influencing academic leadership across sustainable manufacturing, bio-based architecture, and biogenic materials innovation.

Please find more information on her work here: https://www.design.upenn.edu/dumolab/work

Lecture details: Wednesday, 24.06.2026, 12:45, room 9.06, Keplerstrasse 11, 70174 Stuttgart

Come join us for this fascinating talk!

Join us tomorrow for an inspiring day of ITECH research!
Our ITECH thesis students will present the progress of their Master´s thesis projects during the ITECH Midterm Presentations.
We are excited to have Laia Mogas-Soldevila (Assistant Professor of Architecture and Director of DumoLab Research (DLR) at Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania) and Eike Schling (Professor of Structural Design at the Institute for Design and Construction, Leibniz University Hannover) joining Prof. Achim Menges (ICD), Prof. Jan Knippers (itke), and Prof. Thomas Wortmann (ICD/CA) as our thesis jury.

The Responsive Morphology prototype merges large-scale robotic additive manufacturing with subtractive CNC milling to create a multi-material assembly. The core rPETG panel is extruded directly onto a CNC-milled timber base plate, which features integrated grooves and milled slots to improve print adhesion, predefine structural interfaces, and facilitate assembly.
Fabrication follows a continuous path where connection points, cable routing, and assembly details are embedded directly into the digital printing logic. The resulting structure supports a reversible assembly logic through the use of mechanically fixed joinery and the avoidance of adhesives, enabling disassembly and circular material separation.

Please find more information through the link in our bio.

The project was designed and fabricated by Master’s students from the ITECH Class of 2025 and the researchers at the Cluster of Excellence IntCDC - Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Transformative Architecture at the University of Stuttgart.

ICD: Ekin Sila Sahin, Prof. Achim Menges

ICD/CA: Anni Dai, Prof. Thomas Wortmann

ITKE: Fabian Eidner, Edith Anahi Gonzalez, Axel Körner, Prof. Jan Knippers

ITECH Class 2025: Nadine Aderhold, Muhamad Faiz Bashir Ahamed, Yu-Lun Chiu, Michał Deja, Hüseyin Düzenli, Farouk El Kihal, Juan David Frank, David Gallego, Jonas Gorges, Lianhan Huang, Hosung Jung, Wataru Kimura, Athina Kotrozou, Likhinya Kvs, Kai Jie Kwang, Stefan Lang, Jiuyuan Liu, Bryan Martino, Jonas Mertens, Til Müller, Jack Otto, Gary Papke, Nicolas Pousa, Pouria Shahhoseini Nia, Alfiia Shakurianova, Shaqayeq Tahavvori, Julien Todd, Guanyu Wang, Qu Wang

With support of: CEAD B.V., BEC GmbH, TITK - Thuringian Institute for Textile and Plastics Research, Philip Duncan, Ronan Hayes, Michael Ilewicz, Rahul Mehendiratta, Michael Preisack, Katja Rinderspacher, Michael Schneider, Aaron Wagner, Christoph Zechmeister

Project Support: School for Talents – University of Stuttgart, Cluster of Excellence IntCDC , Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) DFG