Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism

As my journey in the Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism program at Illinois Institute of Technology approaches an important milestone, I feel incredibly privileged to reflect on my experience as a student in this unique and exhilarating program. Under the exceptional guidance of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) Design Partner Scott Duncan, and Senior Associate Principals Jorge Rovira, AIA, and Jason Fisher, AIA we explored the future of architecture, pushing boundaries to redefine what tall buildings can achieve in an AI-driven world. This program has provided me with a diverse and forward-thinking perspective enabling me to explore adaptive, resilient, and sustainable design solutions for the cities of tomorrow. It was incredibly inspiring to see the creativity and innovative ideas that my cohort brought to life during final reviews. My heartfelt thanks to Antony Wood, Ph.D the founder of this program, and everyone at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) for making this journey unforgettable. To anyone considering a career in architecture, I cannot recommend this program enough. It is not just about designing buildings; it is about shaping the future of our cities.

What a day it was! This marks and end to fall 2024 semester of Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism studio Illinois Institute of Technology. This studio was conducted by Senior Principals of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) with a premise of integrating artificial intelligence into the design of Tall buildings. With AI leading the way in almost all the fields across the globe, integration of AI into architecture was bit of a learning curve. AI is used as a visualizer tool, a tool for multi-objective optimization using genetic algorithms, topology optimization and using that in designing of tall buildings would make our buildings more efficient. I made a tool 'ShadeFit' which is a machine learning rule based discrete aggregation tool used to populate building blocks and optimize it using genetic algorithms for solar gain. This semester would not be possible without principals-professors Scott Duncan, Jorge Rovira, AIA, Jason Fisher, AIA from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Chicago office. Lastly, I would like to thank Dr.Antony Wood, Ph.D our program director and president of Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) for all the guidance during the semester and final jury.

As the jury day concludes, it marks the end of an incredible semester focused on the topic of AI as a design tool to shape tall buildings, part of the Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism program at the Illinois Institute of Technology, in collaboration with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). This semester provided a unique opportunity to work closely with Scott Duncan, Design Partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Jason Fisher, AIA, and Jorge Rovira, AIA, Senior Associate Principals at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). Their guidance was instrumental in developing an AI tool to optimize slope ratios for tall buildings, combining architectural concepts with AI. ChatGPT facilitated step-by-step conversations, generating Python code iteratively. After numerous refinements, the script was finalized and integrated into Rhino, enabling automated calculations and design adjustments based on ratios. This saved significant time compared to manual calculations, streamlining the entire process. The expertise, combined with insights into the future of architecture and the integration of AI, was transformative in reimagining how technology can shape tall building design. In addition to the mentorship from these inspiring leaders, other professionals at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) shared their experiences and knowledge, enriching my understanding of AI’s potential to revolutionize the built environment. This program, offered by the Illinois Institute of Technology in collaboration with the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), has been a remarkable platform for exploring innovation at the intersection of architecture and technology. I would also like to thank Antony Wood, Ph.D., Director of the program, for creating this incredible opportunity and for his insightful feedback during juries and reviews throughout the semester. As this semester comes to a close and I look forward to my final semester, I am deeply grateful for the time, effort, and guidance provided by these mentors. Their support amidst their professional commitments has been invaluable in shaping my perspective on the future of architecture. This experience has been truly inspiring, and I am excited to continue building on these foundations to contribute to the future of design through collaboration and innovation.

Calling all U.S. and Canadian students! ONE MONTH LEFT to submit to the "CTBUH 2024 Mass Timber Student Design Competition," kindly sponsored by Think Wood. This competition invites students currently enrolled at U.S. and Canada-based institutes to rethink tall buildings with the revolutionary potential of mass timber. The goal of the competition is to shed new light on the meaning and value of tall buildings in modern society, with a focus on multi-story, mass timber designs for affordable housing that emphasize rapid development. The only requirement: your design must be multi-storied, maximize the use and expression of mass timber, and adhere to the 2021 IBC building code. Consider incorporating prefabricated components or a volumetric modular approach to showcase the speed and efficiency of mass timber construction. ✨ Winners will earn global recognition, prizes, and a platform to meaningfully impact urban architecture. The submission deadline is 15 December 2024. ✨ Learn more: https://lnkd.in/er3n4gK3 If you know a talented student(s) with a great studio project studying in the U.S. or Canada, please share this announcement and encourage them to submit a proposal for consideration. Have questions? Email: competition@ctbuh.org. #canada #academic #student #studentcompetition #competition #unitedstates #USA #masstimber #architecture #engineering #innovation #sustainable #design #housing #affordablehousing #prizemoney #urbanism #futureurban #architectureschool IIT Architecture Chicago ; Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism ; Pratt Institute School of Architecture ; Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation ; Harvard University Graduate School of Design ; SCI-Arc ; USC School of Architecture ; Illinois School of Architecture ; Rice School of Architecture ; Virginia Tech School of Architecture ; The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture ; Georgia Tech School of Architecture ; School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape - University of Calgary ; MIT School of Architecture and Planning ; McGill University

Classes on the new Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism (MTBVU) started in earnest last week, a collaboration between IIT College of Architecture (IIT) and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). The program is only just entering it's third year but, already, we have sixteen students in this new cohort - five direct entry students, and eleven taking the program co-terminal (meaning, alongside the final years of their Bachelor of Architecture). Seven of these students are from the USA, and nine are from six other countries, so it's a diverse bunch! My colleagues from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); design partner Scott Duncan; Senior Associate Principal and Design Studio Head, Jason Fisher, AIA; and Senior Associate Principal, Jorge Rovira, AIA, will again be convening the high-rise studio this semester, focusing on how the design of tall buildings might be informed by artificial intelligence, whether as a design tool or as a shaper of cultural practices. Next semester, we will be convening the high-rise studio in Bangkok, and taking the students to the Thai capital, with the support of Dusit Hotels and Resorts, who have been redeveloping the Dusit Thani site in Bangkok, embracing several key tall buildings. In the meantime, myself and my academic collaborator, Yohan Kim, will be steering the course overall and the associated programs. Below is a photo of the wider class taking my "Talking Tall" course, embracing the MTBVU students, on the steps of Mies van der Rohe's Crown Hall at IIT last week. Exciting times indeed! You can see the outputs of last year’s studio with SOM (indeed, numerous past studios) at: https://lnkd.in/gaNmRTac

I’m thrilled to share that I have officially earned my Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism degrees from the Illinois Institute of Technology! 🎓  This achievement is meaningful to me as I immigrated from Mexico and had to adjust to a completely new culture, environment, and language. As the first in my family to have access to higher education, navigating these changes was challenging at times, but it also taught me resilience and perseverance. One moment that shaped my journey was after high school when I struggled with English. I had to take remedial classes and failed twice, despite trying my best. People doubted me, but my mom encouraged me, saying, 'Don’t stop trying. Maybe you need to learn something before reaching the next level. Her words stuck with me. I sought help, retook the class, and eventually improved. This experience taught me resilience, self-belief, and that my dreams are big and worth fighting for. I want to thank City Colleges of Chicago for their support to have access to higher education as a High School student. Also, being awarded with a Star Scholarship was a blessing. I am grateful for all the support that helped me accomplish this milestone. Special thanks to Professor Robert Cordero and Christine Marriott for your guidance and support all this time. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Illinois Institute of Technology for allowing me to pursue my education at IIT College of Architecture. A heartfelt thank you to the departments and Professor Christopher Groesbeck for introducing me to tall building design during the 2023 summer studio. As part of the program Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism, and the collaboration with the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). I am happy with the quality and quantity of the work I've accomplished. Extending my gratitude to Yohan Kim for your unwavering support, guidance, and advice throughout my time at IIT. Antony Wood, Ph.D, thank you for your passion and dedication, and your inspiring lectures. To all my mentors who supported me along this journey—THANK YOU! If you're interested in exploring my architectural projects and design, I invite you to view my portfolio. It showcases my work in tall buildings, innovative solutions in architecture, and my creations at the IIT model shop.

I am thrilled to announce that the Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism Program at Illinois Institute of Technology has been honored with an award from Dusit Central Park at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) International Conference! 🇹🇭🏙️ This incredible opportunity will take us to Thailand, where we'll delve into the forefront of skyscraper design and urban development. A heartfelt thank you to Francisco Javier Quintana de Uña, CEO of CTBUH, for this remarkable recognition, and to Antony Wood, Ph.D for joining us on this exciting journey, your leadership and dedication to advancing the field of tall buildings inspire us all. This experience represents a significant milestone for our program, and we are beyond grateful for the chance to learn, collaborate, and engage with the incredible urban landscape of Thailand. Here's to the journey ahead and the inspiring work that lies in store for us in Bangkok! 🏙️ #Architecture #IIT #Bangkok #VerticalUrbanism #ctbuh2024 #tallbuildings