Lab Director: Dr. Guy Austern

Recent advances in Machine Learning herald the end of the age of traditional programming, where computers were instructed using a fixed set of coded commands. The new paradigm focuses on computational models that learn how to solve problems by observing patterns in large amounts of data. These methods are still struggling to penetrate the building industry, where they can participate in the design and production of the built environment. 

The Computational Design and Machine Learning lab explores the use of Machine Learning to solve architectural problems in design, analysis, and fabrication. The CD_ML lab was founded by Dr. Guy Austern, an architect and software developer with a background in architectural practice and the tech industry, where he helped found several successful startups. The CD_ML’s vision is to bridge the gaps between design and coding, creating state-of-the-art tools for the architectural profession.