Welcome to the keynote lecture of the XXI International Congress of Architectural Graphic Expression.
Today we have with us Carlos Bañón Blázquez, Associate Professor at Singapore University of Technology and Design,
and Co-Founder & Chief AI and Product Officer at FORMAS.AI.
Lecture title: "More Artificial / More Human: Redefining the Dialogue Between Humans and Technology in Design".
Thank you very much for the invitation to the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and to the EGA26 Congress organizers.
It is an honor to be here in Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture, to share this reflection.
Today we stand at a fundamental crossroads in the history of design and architecture.
The emergence of advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence is reshaping our working paradigm.
However, the central question is not how much technology we can incorporate, but how it makes us more human.
How technology allows us to rediscover sensitivity, resource optimization, and creativity.
Throughout my academic and professional career, I have focused on computational design and additive manufacturing.
3D printing applied to construction allows us to drastically reduce material usage and minimize waste.
This connects directly with the principles of circular economy and structural sustainability.
Through algorithms and geometric exploration, we can generate highly structural-efficient forms—
forms that were previously impossible or unfeasible to execute through traditional construction methods.
And now, with the integration of generative AI into architectural workflows,
a new dimension opens up where the architect not only draws, but engages in a dialogue with the machine.
AI acts as an amplifier of human intuition, allowing us to evaluate thousands of design solutions in real time.
This does not diminish the role of the architect, but elevates it to one of curation and critical direction.
We will see examples of projects where we combined 3D-printed components with timber and steel,
demonstrating that high technology can coexist harmoniously with the environment and nature.
In conclusion, being "More Artificial" in our tools compels us to be "More Human" in our purpose.
Thank you very much for your attention, and we will now open the floor for questions.