Irena Skoda Design + Architecture (Studio)

What does this have to do with bio? The word itself whispers life. And is not architecture, at its essence, the art of creating life? A few visionaries—keepers of ancient wisdom—have given birth to the term bio-architecture, A language transcending the cold confines of form follows function And shattering the sterile notions of modernity. In ages long past, architecture was a vessel of profound intelligence, A sacred art, lost and dismantled, its secrets hidden— A deliberate severance to keep humanity bound and blind. Yet still, the echoes remain. The pyramids stand, colossal and timeless, As do the great structures etched across the earth, Each humming with an invisible harmony, An eternal language woven in divine proportion and form. To understand it is to return to nature. To see it requires eyes turned inward, To the wellspring of our highest intelligence. For it is there, beyond the veil of the five senses, That life—true life—reveals itself.

AI is clearly developing its own visual language, yet it often lacks a foundational understanding of architecture’s core principles —aesthetics, functionality, and real-world feasibility. As architects integrating AI into the design process, it’s becoming essential to train our own AI models. Without this, we risk generating prompts that merely echo styles created by MidJourney, Flux, etc. rather than producing designs rooted in unique, harmonious geometry and architectural authenticity. Tailored AI isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity if we aim to create truly original and architecturally relevant work. Ultimately, AI outputs are only as strong as the prompts we provide. Communicating with precision to achieve the desired results is a true talent—and a vital skill in crafting designs that transcend mere replication, reaching new heights of architectural expression. Image by #MidJourney #aiarchitecture, #aidesign, #MidJourney

I'm beyond excited to announce that June, 2024, I completed a transformative 9-month journey, earning my second Master of Science in Computational and Advanced Design with Design Morphine, in collaboration with the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering & Geodesy, Bulgaria. Returning to a design studio environment, even virtually, was a thrilling challenge that I absolutely loved. It pushed me as a designer and gave me the focus I needed. Balancing my roles as a mom, wife, and business owner doesn’t leave much room for skill-building, but with my husband's unwavering support, I was determined to succeed. Over these 9 months, I dedicated myself to intense, focused learning, mastering over 16 design software programs. I'm deeply grateful to my husband, children, and the brilliant tutors (Pavlina Vardoulaki Pryor, Michael Pryor & Tung Nguyen), chapter leads (Aleksandar Bursac, Nicolas Turchi, Maria Soroko-Tsyupa, Oscar Oweson, Alejandro Garcia Gadea, Laura Maria Gonzalez, Andrei Padure, Zeynep Topal, Madalin Gheorghe, Kiryl Furmanchuk, Jacub Oszczyk), Lab Leads (Michael Koo, Christopher Pope, Eduardo Chamorro, Alab Adviento, Ryan Leung) , and various professionals in all kinds of industries from architecture to even fashion who have made this experience an incredible program with their insights and design crits. For those who know me, my passion for Design, Humanity and Nature is boundless. Capturing Nature's effortless beauty by hand seemed impossible until I discovered parametric design, which this master’s program took to a whole new level. This approach, rooted in algorithmic coding and computational design, opened a world of possibilities. While I'm not a programmer, I can better understand the computational thinking behind Nature's intricate patterns, fractals, and spirals. My team members, Dina Wakileh, Vince Hoang, and I chose to model the brilliance of Nature through our futuristic, sci-fi fictional story of our imagined character, Cy, who journeyed into the portal of the Flora Nova to embrace nature and become an eco-guardian to his dying cyborg civilization. Here is the trailer https://lnkd.in/gPpEx9er Mentors: Michael Pryor Pavlina Vardoulaki Pryor, Ph.D.(c) Tsvetelina Georgieva, PhD(c) Core & Technical Leads: Tung Nguen Pedro Amador Venegas Rodríguez #generativedesign #proceduralart #3dmodeling #worldbuilding #sciencefiction #architecture #conceptart #parametricarchitecture #designmorphine

Imagine standing before the Beijing National Stadium, its design inspired by a simple bird's nest yet crafted with cutting-edge technology. Or picture a modern home grounded in ancient architectural principles, blending minimalist style with a timeless warmth. This fusion of ancient wisdom and futuristic geometry isn't just nostalgic or forward-looking—it's about creating designs that are beautiful, functional, and meaningful. The best of the past and future can create designs that inspire and endure, creating the magic of timeless design! #timelessdesign #architecture #technology #pastpresentfuture #design

According to Steiner, the design and construction of a building can support the spiritual development of its occupants. In this sense, the spiritual parameters of architectural design include considerations such as: 1.   Form and geometry: Steiner believed that the forms and shapes used in architectural design can have a profound effect on the spiritual atmosphere of a building. He advocated for the use of organic, flowing forms that promote a sense of harmony and balance. 2.   Materials: Steiner emphasized the use of natural materials in architectural design, such as wood, stone, and clay. He believed that these materials have a special energy that can support the spiritual well-being of their occupants. 3.   Color: Steiner believed that color can have a profound effect on the spiritual atmosphere of a building. He advocated for the use of colors that promote a sense of balance and harmony, such as shades of green, blue, and yellow. 4.   Orientation: Steiner believed that the orientation of a building can have a significant impact on its spiritual atmosphere. He advocated for buildings to be oriented in a way that is in harmony with the natural world, such as facing south to take advantage of the warmth of the sun. Overall, the spiritual parameters of architectural design that Steiner emphasized were focused on creating spaces that support the spiritual well-being and development of their occupants, and that are in harmony with the natural world. In the evolution of my on-going training as an architect, not only through the universities but also self-development since 2006, I was timid to speak about the metaphysical aspects of design. Today however, with more emphasis on mind, body and spirit, meditation and other aspects of self-awareness, I believe the era of more conscious architecture and design is clearly the go-to. It will not only guide the next golden age but also weed out much of what has or has not worked in the conventional aspects of design for not only buildings, neighborhoods and also communities. credit: Midjourney image