CDFAM Computational Design Symposium

Duann Scott

CDFAM Computational Design Symposium Presentation Recordings www.designforam.com

  1. 1 TIME SIDEN

    Bioinspired And Biobased 4D-Printing For Adaptive Building Facades - Tiffany Cheng - Keynote Presentation

    Organization: Cornell University Presenter: Tiffany Cheng Bioinspired And Biobased 4D-Printing For Adaptive Building Facades Presentation Abstract What if our buildings and products could be manufactured and operated the way biological systems grow and adapt? As an alternative to conventional construction and manufacturing, I will present a bioinspired approach to making through material programming and 4D-printing. By integrating material, structure, and function, plants change shape over varying spatial-temporal scales in response to external stimuli. I will introduce how computational fabrication enable the bioinspired interplay of cellulosic materials, mesostructures, and adaptive motions to create hygromorphic systems powered by the environment. The developed methods are transferable across scales and applications – from hobbyist 3D-printers to industrial robot platforms and self-adjusting wearables for the body to weather-responsive shading in buildings. Through integrative technologies and interdisciplinary solutions, we can leverage biobased materials and bioinspired design principles to create a built environment that is transformative and resilient. Interview: Bioinspired and Biobased 4D-Printing for Adaptive Building Facades – Tiffany Cheng Tiffany Cheng is a Taiwanese American designer and builder whose work examines the performance potential of natural and biobased materials for smarter and more sustainable forms of making. As Assistant Professor at Cornell University’s Department of Design Tech, Tiffany directs the MULTIMESO Lab to develop computational fabrication processes for creating bioinspired systems across scales, from self-forming furniture to adaptive building components. Previously, Tiffany was Research Group Leader at the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD) at the University of Stuttgart, where she led the Material Programming research group and earned her Doctorate in Engineering. Tiffany holds a Master in Design Studies (Technology) from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    32 min.
  2. 3 DAGE SIDEN

    Building Surrogate Models for Physics Simulation using a No-Code Approach

    Organization: Key Ward Presenter: Asparuh Stoyanov Building Surrogate Models for Physics Simulation using a No-Code Approach Presentation Abstract This project demonstrates a no-code methodology for building surrogate models for engineering simulation. Using such methods, physics simulation analysts can tap seamlessly into the potential of surrogate models, transforming traditional simulation workflows to be more efficient and flexible. In this abstract, we present a workflow of how to use simulation result data to build a 3D surrogate model that any analyst can utilize without requiring programming skills—enhancing the usability of AI-driven simulation tools for broader adoption. Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations are often computationally intensive and challenging to scale, especially for complex structural applications. Our methodology minimizes these resource-heavy processes with a graph-based surrogate model optimized for computational efficiency. To achieve this, we utilized automated extract, transform, and load (ETL) workflows to process the raw simulation data into a shape and format suitable for AI ingestion. We show how, through no-code data processing automation, analysts can focus on deriving insights rather than getting lost in technical details. The dataset used comprised linear static analysis results of a Press Bench model, performed using SOLIDWORKS Simulation. Parametric variables included back height, feet width, and plate length, and the results predicted were displacement and stress. Using data processing and management tools, we first extracted and converted the surface field and volumetric field data, from the original raw format into an open-source “AI-ready” format (. csv,.vtk). This allowed us to gather all simulation data in one place to better understand the data distributions, patterns, and correlations between variables. In the next step, we cleaned the collected data while maintaining different data versions and keeping track of changes. As a final step, using the cleaned and processed dataset, we trained a Graph Neural Network. The model was trained to predict accurate stress and displacement fields within seconds (>90% accuracy), using the 3D volume mesh data as inputs. The whole process from raw data to a trained model took approximately one workday to develop. The same approach will be tested on large deformation nonlinear structural analysis. This project demonstrates how structural simulation data can be used to build surrogate models that accelerate the design process. Advances in AI modeling tools now make these models widely accessible, enabling engineers to leverage physics simulation data without coding or deep machine learning expertise—expanding the possibilities in product design optimization. RECENT INTERVIEWS & ARTICLES * AI Judges in Design: Kristen Edwards – MIT * Manufacturing Driven Design with Rhushik Matroja – CDS * Beyond Surfaces: Applying Intrinsic Geometry Processing in Art and Design: Math Whittaker, New Balance * Maia Zheliazkova – On LightSpray * Design for Additive Manufacturing at CDFAM – Part 2: 2024 Berlin * Design for Additive Manufacturing at CDFAM – Part 1: 2023 NYC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    18 min.
  3. 2. OKT.

    Stress-Based Design Of Lightweight Horizontal Structures For Concrete 3D Printing - Luca Breseghello

    Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, Amsterdam , 2025 https://cdfam.com/amsterdam-2025/ Organization: DTU Presenter: Luca Breseghello Stress-Based Design Of Lightweight Horizontal Structures For 3D Concrete Printing Presentation Abstract Concrete is one of the most widely used materials in construction, but it’s also a major contributor to CO₂ emissions. In mid-rise buildings, slabs and beams alone account for over 40% of the concrete used. This raises an important question: how can we build these elements more efficiently while reducing their environmental impact? In this talk, I’ll share how robotic 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) and structural optimisation can work together to create lighter, more material-efficient beams and slabs. By integrating computational design, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and stress-based material placement, we developed a workflow that reduces waste while maintaining strength. I’ll introduce 3DLightBeam and 3DLightBeam+, beams with double the strength-to-weight ratio of conventional 3DCP beams, and 3DLightSlab, a ribbed slab designed for efficiency. Structural testing and Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) confirmed that this approach can lead to more sustainable concrete structures. This presentation will explore the practical potential of 3DCP in structural applications and what it means for the future of concrete construction. Interview: Stress-Based Design Of Lightweight Horizontal Structures For 3D Concrete Printing – Luca Breseghello – DTU Join us at CDFAM, October 29–30, to connect with the people defining the future of computational design. Not just the speakers on stage, but the researchers developing new algorithms, engineers scaling workflows into production, architects rethinking building systems, and designers pushing the boundaries of products and materials. CDFAM is where leaders and practitioners from across industries come together, sharing methods, exchanging ideas, and building collaborations that carry far beyond the event itself. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    20 min.
  4. 29. SEP.

    How Topology Optimization And AM Can Create A New Generation Of Green Steel Construction

    Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, Amsterdam , 2025 https://cdfam.com/amsterdam-2025/ Organization: University of Bologna Presenter: Vittoria Laghi How Topology Optimization And Additive Manufacturing Can Create A New Generation Of Green Steel Construction Presentation Abstract The digitalization of the construction sector could potentially produce more efficient structures, reduce material waste and increase work safety. Current strategies for the realization of automated steel constructions see the application of metal 3D printing processes as an opportunity to build a new generation of efficient steel structures with reduced material use. This, though, requires advanced multidisciplinary knowledge in manufacturing, metallurgy, structural engineering and computational design. Recent effort has been made in order to combine computational design with current digital fabrication procedures to realize efficient steel structures for the future. The present work aims at providing insights to current explorations on the combined application of computational design and metal 3D printing process in construction towards a new generation of optimized and resource-efficient structures Interview: How topology optimization and additive manufacturing can create a new generation of green steel construction This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    19 min.
  5. 18. SEP.

    Physics-Driven Generative Design for Laser Powder Bed Fusion in Aerospace ToffeeX - Thomas Rees

    Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, Amsterdam , 2025 https://cdfam.com/amsterdam-2025/ Organization: ToffeeX Presenter: Thomas Rees Physics-Driven Generative Design for Laser Powder Bed Fusion in Aerospace Presentation Abstract Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) has shown transformative potential for the aerospace industry, with substantial investments being directed globally to leverage its benefits. However, broader industrial adoption of L-PBF faces barriers primarily due to limitations in the performance of components manufactured with the technique, productivity of the technique, and scalability of the technology. These limitations currently hinder L-PBF’s competitiveness with traditional manufacturing methods for aerospace, affecting both cost-efficiency and sustainability. In this talk we will present a physics-driven generative design framework tailored for L-PBF, leveraging advanced multi-physics simulations to tackle the complex thermo-fluid-structural design challenges that arise in aerospace applications. The framework integrates computational fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and structural mechanics simulations. By coupling these simulation-driven insights with generative design techniques, our approach offers a robust pathway to create high-performance aerospace components. Results from case studies demonstrate the ability of our framework to reduce costs and design times while achieving superior mechanical properties under aerospace-relevant loading conditions. Read the CDFAM Interview with ToffeeX This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    23 min.
  6. 15. SEP.

    Real-Time Computer-Aided Optimization: How GPU-Native Simulation Changes the Industry - FlexCompute

    Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, Amsterdam , 2025 https://cdfam.com/amsterdam-2025/ Organization: Flexcompute Presenter: Momchil Minkov + Qiqi Wang Real-Time Computer-Aided Optimization (CAO): How GPU-Native Simulation Changes the Industry Presentation Abstract Computer-aided engineering (CAE) has been a foundational tool in aerospace and photonics design, but slow workflows, high costs, and constrained design exploration limit its potential. Traditional methods rely heavily on intuition and a few simulations to validate designs, leaving vast opportunities untapped. However, a paradigm shift is underway: integrating mathematical optimization techniques like adjoint optimization and inverse design into CAE is redefining what’s possible in engineering. This modern approach – Computer-Aided Optimization (CAO) – directly leverages advanced mathematical optimization to automate and enhance the design process. CAO replaces intuition-driven, validation-focused methods with a data-driven, goal-oriented workflow by specifying design goals and using algorithms to refine configurations iteratively. Techniques like inverse design, which uses objective functions and gradient-based optimization, and adjoint methods, which enable efficient sensitivity analysis, are central to this transformation. GPU-native simulations amplify the impact of these methodologies, making it feasible to address industry-scale problems in a fraction of the time previously required. High-performance GPU computing accelerates the iterative optimization process, enabling rapid exploration of vast design spaces with unprecedented fidelity. Applications range from optimizing aerodynamic performance in aerospace to creating innovative photonic devices like metalenses and quantum computing components. This synergy of mathematical optimization and GPU acceleration positions CAO as the future of engineering design. By reducing costs, accelerating development cycles, and enabling robust design exploration, CAO allows engineers to confidently tackle complex challenges. Whether designing aircraft or photonic circuits, these advancements fundamentally reshape how industries approach innovation, driving breakthroughs across disciplines and unlocking new possibilities for high-performance, efficient design. Read the interview Real-Time Computer-Aided Optimization (CAO): How GPU-Native Simulation Changes the Industry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    19 min.

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CDFAM Computational Design Symposium Presentation Recordings www.designforam.com

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