Algorithmic Design for Architecture

Research

I am an Assistant Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico, in the Computer Science and Engineering Department (DEI), and a researcher at INESC-ID. I am also a member of ADA research group. As a researcher, my focus has been on approximating the fields of computer science and architecture, making algorithmic strategies more accessible and integrated into architectural design. My goal is to leverage the strengths of computer science to enhance design exploration, conceptualization, and visualization of architectural solutions, while also supporting the learning and application of algorithms in building design.

Poster

PhD Open Days 2018 Poster

Parametric brick facade

Parametric Brick Facade

notebook

Computational Notebook Experiments

Parametric weaving facade

Weaving Shading Devices Studies

Parametric cobogó bricks facade

Parametric Cobogó Bricks

Parametric origami structure

Kinetic Origami Prototype (Surfaces Inplay Summer School)

Parametric facade shading panels

Parametric Shading Panels

Parametric truss structure

Parametric Truss Structural Studies

Parametric brick facade

Parametric Brick Facade

Parametric modeling of railway tunnels

Parametric modeling of railway tunnels

Parametric facade shading panels

Facade Shading Panels Prototypes

Poster

Encontro com a Ciência e a Tecnologia 2018 Poster

Publications

2024
Connecting design and fabrication through algorithms: current and future prospects for AEC
I Caetano and A Leitão | Automation in Construction, Elsevier
BIBTEX


Algorithmic Design Explained: Decomposing parametric 3D problems into 2D visual illustrations
R Castelo Branco, I Caetano and A Leitão | CAADRIA Conference, Singapore
BIBTEX


Gestão de Infraestruturas Publicas Através do BIM: Modelação de Túneis Ferroviários das Infraestruturas de Portugal
I Caetano, D Pinto, J Silva, Y Barbosa, L Sanhudo, J Poças Martins, M Amândio, M Azenha, J Granja, M Sibaii and H Patrício | Revista de Ativos de Engenharia, Porto Editora
BIBTEX


BIM em Infraestruturas Ferroviárias: Modelação automática de túneis para monitorização e manutenção ao longo do ciclo de vida
I Caetano, D Pinto, Y Barbosa, J Silva, M Amândio, H Patrício, M Azenha, L Sanhudo and J Poças Martins | PTBIM Conference, Lisbon, Portugal
BIBTEX



2023
DrAFT 2.0: An Algorithmic Framework for the Design, Optimization, and Fabrication of Facades
I Caetano | PhD thesis, Lisbon
BIBTEX


Balancing Design Intent and Performance: An Algorithmic Design Approach
I Caetano, I Pereira and A Leitão | Architectural Science Review, Taylor & Francis Online
BIBTEX


The Right Algorithm for the Right Shape: An algorithmic framework for efficient design and conception of building facades
I Caetano, A Leitão and F. Bastos | Architecture and Design for Industry 4.0: Theory and Practice, Springer Cham
BIBTEX


Behind Algorithmic Geometric Patterns: A Framework for Facade Design Exploration
I Caetano and A Leitão | Formal Methods in Architecture: Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Formal Methods in Architecture, Springer Singapore
BIBTEX



2022
Affordable Computation for Architecture
R Castelo-Branco, I Caetano and A Leitão | Architecture & Planning Journal, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon
BIBTEX


Converting Algorithms into Tangible Solutions: A workflow for materializing algorithmic facade designs
I Caetano, A Leitão and F Bastos | ISIC International Conference: Trends in Construction in the Post-Digital Era, Guimarães, Portugal
BIBTEX


Algorithmic Representation Space
R Castelo-Branco, I Caetano and A Leitão | Prospectives Journal, Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL
BIBTEX


Digital Representation Methods: The Case of Algorithmic Design
R Castelo-Branco, I Caetano and A Leitão | Frontiers of Architectural Research, KeAi Publishing
BIBTEX


Sketching Algorithmic Design
R Castelo-Branco, I Caetano, I. Pereira and A Leitão | Journal of Architectural Engineering
BIBTEX



2021
Mathematically Developing Building Facades: An Algorithmic Framework
I Caetano and A Leitão | Formal Methods in Architecture: Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (IEREK Interdisciplinary Series for Sustainable Development), Springer Cham
BIBTEX


Uncertainty in Daylight Simulations of Algorithmically Generated Complex Shading Screens
L Santos, I Caetano, I Pereira and A Leitão | Building Simulation 2021 Conference, Bruges, Belgium
BIBTEX



2020
Computational design in architecture: Defining parametric, generative, and algorithmic design
I Caetano, L Santos and A Leitão | Frontiers of Architectural Research, KeAi Publishing
BIBTEX


Architecture meets computation: an overview of the evolution of computational design approaches in architecture
I Caetano and A Leitão | Architectural Science Review, Taylor & Francis Online
BIBTEX


From Architectural Requirements to Physical Creations: An Algorithmic-based Approach for Façade Design
I Caetano, A Leitão and F Bastos | Journal of Façade Design and Engineering, TU Delft Open
BIBTEX


When the Geometry Informs the Algorithm: a hybrid visual/textual programming framework for facade design
I Caetano and A Leitão | eCAADe Conference, Berlin, Germany
BIBTEX


A Generative System for the Design of High-Performing Shading Devices: Exploring the Daylight Potential of Weaving Patterns
L Santos, I Caetano, I Pereira and A Leitão | PLEA Conference, A Coruña, Spain
BIBTEX


Creativity Inspired by Analysis: An algorithmic design system for designing structurally feasible façades
I Caetano, S Garcia, I Pereira and A Leitão | CAADRIA Conference, Bangkok, Thailand
BIBTEX


The Collaborative Algorithmic Design Notebook
R Castelo-Branco, I Caetano, I Pereira and A Leitão | ASA Conference, Auckland, New Zealand
BIBTEX



2019
Integration of an Algorithmic BIM Approach in a Traditional Architecture Studio
I Caetano and A Leitão | Journal of Computational Design and Engineering, Elsevier
BIBTEX


Weaving Architectural Façades: Exploring algorithmic stripe-based design patterns
I Caetano and A Leitão | CAADFutures Conference, Daejeon, South Korea
BIBTEX


From Visual Input to Visual Output in Textual Programming
M Sammer, A Leitão and I Caetano | CAADRIA Conference, Wellington, New Zealand
BIBTEX



2018
Casos de estudo sobre a integração de processos de projeto algorítmico em fluxos de trabalho de projeto em modelo BIM (In Portuguese)
I Caetano, C Belém, G Ilunga, S Feist, A Leitão and F Bastos | Portuguese Congress of Building Information Modelling, Lisbon, Portugal
BIBTEX


Case Studies on the Integration of Algorithmic Design Processes in Traditional Design Workflows
I Caetano, G Ilunga, C Belém, R Aguiar, S Feist, F Bastos and A Leitão | CAADRIA Conference, Beijing, China
BIBTEX


Algorithmic Patterns for Facade Design: Merging Design Exploration, Optimization and Rationalization
I Caetano and A Leitão | Facade Tectonics World Congress, Los Angeles, California, USA
BIBTEX



2017
Luna Moth: Supporting Creativity in the Cloud
P Alfaiate, I Caetano and A Leitão | ACADIA Conference, Cambridge, MA
BIBTEX


Saving Lives with Generative Design and Agent-based Modeling
S Sousa, I Caetano and A Leitão | eCAADe Conference, Rome, Italy
BIBTEX


Integration of an Algorithmic BIM Approach in a Traditional Architecture Studio
I Caetano and A Leitão | CAADRIA Conference, Suzhou, China
BIBTEX



2016
Aplicação do Design Generativo nas Tecnologias BIM
I Caetano, A Leitão and F Bastos | 1º Congresso Português de Building Information Modelling, Universidade do Minho, Portugal
BIBTEX


Using Processing with Architectural 3D Modelling
I Caetano and A Leitão | eCAADe Conference, Oulu, Finland
BIBTEX


DrAFT: An Algorithmic Framework for Facade Design
I Caetano and A Leitão | eCAADe Conference, Oulu, Finland
BIBTEX


Exploring Buildings' Surfaces Patterns
I Caetano and A Leitão | Architecture In-Play International Conference, Lisbon, Portugal
BIBTEX


Processing Architecture
A Leitão, I Caetano and H Correia | International Journal of Architectural Computing 14(2)
BIBTEX


Processing for Architecture
I Caetano and A Leitão | ASKtheConference, Warsaw, Poland
BIBTEX



2015
From Idea to Shape, from Algorithm to Design: A Framework for the Generation of Contemporary Facades
I Caetano, L Santos and A Leitão | CAAD Futures, São Paulo, Brazil
BIBTEX


DrAFT: an Algorithmic Framework for Facade Design (Master Thesis)
Abstract. The architectural facade regained its important role. Nowadays, the facade is characterized by complex shapes and patterns, mainly, due to the use of new design tools, such as Generative Design, which promotes a greater design exploration. In this dissertation we propose a computational framework for the generation and exploration of facade designs. The framework includes a classification of facades that helps the designer identify the set of algorithms that best suits the needs of his design intent. By combining the various algorithms provided by the framework, the designer can more easily explore the solution space of the intended design.
Keywords. Generative Design, Facade Design, Algorithms, Framework

Curriculum
English CV



2024 - now

Assistant Professor

Computer Science and Engineering Department (DEI)
IST, University of Lisbon, Portugal

IST



2014 - now

Researcher

Graphics and Interactions
INESC-ID, Lisbon, Portugal

inesc-id



2016 - 2023

PhD candidate

IST, University of Lisbon, Portugal

IST



2018

Architecture Project Colaboration

Atelier dos Remédios, Lisbon, Portugal

atelierRemedios



2016

Surfaces In-Play Summer School

ISCTE, Lisbon, Portugal

surfacesInPlay



2015 - 2016

Professional Internship

Ceris, IST, University of Lisbon, Portugal

ceris



2014 - 2015

Research Fellow in Research Project
Rosetta: The Generative Design Tool

INESC-ID, Lisbon, Portugal

inesc-id


2023 - 2024

Algoritmic Design Specialist

BUILT CoLAB, Portugal

BUILT CoLAB



2023

Invited Lecturer

Facade Parametric Modelling
Facade and Building Envelope Technology specialization course
University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

UM



2016 - now

Laboratory Invited Instructor

Design Programming and Computing (since 2016)
Foundations of Programming (since 2022)
IST, University of Lisbon, Portugal

IST



2018 - 2022

Co-PI in the Research Project
Khepri: Algorithmic Design, Analysis, and Optimization

INESC-ID, Lisbon, Portugal

inesc-id



2022

12th Lisbon Machine Learning School

IST, University of Lisbon, Portugal

IST



2016

Workshop Monitor

3rd Cork Workshop "New Uses in Architecture"
FAUL, Lisbon, Portugal

corkWorkshop



2016

Architecture Project Competition

Atelier dos Remédios and FORA, Lisbon, Portugal

atelierRemedios atelierFORA



2009 - 2015

Master degree in Architecture

IST, University of Lisbon, Portugal

IST



2013 - 2014

Erasmus Program

Politecnico di Milano, Italy

polimi





Summa Cum Laude Honorary Title
Doctoral thesis
Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal

PhD Student of the Year
INESC-ID Awards
INESC-ID 2021, Lisbon, Portugal

Best Presentation Award Runner Up
with "Creativity Inspired by Analysis: An algorithmic design system for designing structurally feasible façades"
CAADRIA Conference 2020, Bangkok, Thailand

Best Paper Award
with "From Visual Input to Visual Output in Textual Programming"
CAADRIA Conference 2019, Wellington, New Zealand

ACADIA Student Scholarship Award
with "Luna Moth: Supporting Creativity in the Cloud"
ACADIA Conference 2017, Boston, USA

Young CAADRIA Award
with "Integration of an Algorithmic BIM approach in a Traditional Architecture Studio"
CAADRIA Conference 2017, Suzhou, China

E-mail: ines.caetano@tecnico.ulisboa.pt