Architects in Flux: journeys through architecture, materials, and new technologies

Martín Alvarez is a Research Associate at the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD) at the University of Stuttgart. He studied Architecture at the University of Buenos Aires (U.B.A.) and has taught Architecture and Computational Design in Argentina, Australia, and Germany. With a background in applying computational design methods to international projects at Ciro Najle General Design Bureau, and contributing to completed buildings at Estudio Ruiz Orrico, Martín established his career in Germany at ICD after collaborating with arch22 in Stuttgart and graduating from the ITECH program. At ICD, he focuses on interdisciplinary and applied research projects in Computational Design, Robotics, and wood construction systems.

Rebeca Duque Estrada is a research associate and doctoral candidate at the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD) at the University of Stuttgart. She holds a Master of Arts in Open Design from the Humboldt University of Berlin and the Universidad de Buenos Aires as well as a Master of Science in Architecture through the Integrative Technologies and Architectural Design Research (ITECH) program at the University of Stuttgart. During which she was awarded a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). She received her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Urbanism from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro during which she was awarded a Science Without Borders Scholarship offered by the Brazilian Federal Government to study at the La Salle University in Barcelona for a year.
In her ITECH master’s thesis together with Fabian Kannenberg, they developed a novel fabrication system for filament materials through a multi-species machine collaboration, which results in the generation of ultra-lightweight customized spatial structures. Their thesis was partially developed during their residency at the Autodesk Build Space in Boston and won the Leichtbaupreis in 2021.
With a deep interest in robotic fabrication, new material systems and computational design, Rebeca has been focusing her research on fibre composite materials and robotic fabrication and is currently involved in developing high-performance lightweight structures. In her current research project, she is developing tools to integrate environmental data into the design process of fibre structures and has been looking into alternative materials such as bio-based fibres and resins.