Symposium, Workshops, and Hackathon

Thornton Tomasetti | CORE studio in partnership with McNeel Europe and BIG Architects is excited to announce the return of

AECtech+ Barcelona 2025

Friday June 13th - Sunday June 15th in Barcelona, Spain

morning Workshops

Friday, JUNE 13th / 9:30 am - 1:00 pm (CET) | @ Tech Talent Center | In person

Join your peers for a half day of Workshops hosted by design innovators and software pioneers, developed to introduce participants to a wide range of powerful new workflows that enable new ways of working and enhance existing design processes.

Workshops run concurrently, so only register for one per person.

AGENDA

9:30 am

10:00 am

1:00 pm

Registration & Coffee

Workshop Begins

Workshop Ends

 

Exploring Buildings as graphs| IaaC

Representing buildings as graphs enables efficient analysis of spatial relationships, navigation, and connectivity by abstracting their properties based on their relationships. This approach helps humans and computers understand buildings, enabling tasks like pathfinding, optimization, and simulation. The workshop will focus on the representation and visualization of buildings as graphs while exploring their opportunities. Participants will learn how to convert IFC files to graphs, visualize them in a web application to get insights, and query their properties using LLMs.
Prerequisites: basic level of programing of python or javascript

  • David Andrés León is a private consultant for digital technologies for the AEC industry with particular focus on web development and user interfaces for AI. His goal is to empower designers with digital tools to leverage the design process. He is also currently Director of the Master of Advanced Computation for Architecture and Design (MaCAD) at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalunya (IAAC), and a member of the faculty of the Norman Foster Foundation and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). He has been involved in various research collaborations and co-authored numerous publications in the field of architectural research.

    David holds a Master of Science Degree from the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD) in Universitat Stuttgart and a Masters Degree in Advanced Design and Digital Architecture from the Escola Superior de Disseny i Enginyeria de Barcelona (Elisava). He has been involved in several research undertakings of which stand out his participation in German research platform FAT-LAB in Stuttgart and his collaboration as a research assistant in the Centre for Information Technology and Architecture (CITA) for the EU-Horizon 2020 Future and Emerging Technologies Proactive Action project Flora Robotica. David is also the co-author of various publications in the field of architectural research and robotics.

  • Sophie is a senior applications developer at Thornton Tomasetti | CORE Studio where she develops tools to automate engineering and design workflows. With a background in structural and facade engineering, she brings practical expertise to her role. 

 
 

Fundamentals of Parametric Geometry in C# | Ara3D

One of the great advantages of using code is that you don’t have to be an expert in trigonometry to create or transform shapes and 3D objects mathematically. This is possible because we can break down complex transformations and formulas into simple functions that can be easily modified and recombined.

In this workshop, we will teach you just enough C# so you can create complex 2D and 3D shapes—forms that would otherwise be extremely difficult to model and modify by hand—by combining these modular building blocks and plugging in simple mathematical formulas.

In addition to exploring classical discrete geometric data structures (for example, meshes, point clouds, and voxels), we will also venture into the fascinating realm of parametric geometry (for example, constructive solid geometry, signed distance fields, and parametric surfaces) and see how these approaches interrelate, opening up new possibilities in design.

  • I am a software developer, entrepreneur, instructor, and technical communicator with over twenty five years of professional experience. My passion is solving software related problems, and making software more effective and accessible.

 
 

From Nodes to Code: Parametric Design for Beginners | Thornton Tomasetti CORE studio

This workshop is designed to cater to a broad range of Grasshopper users, from those in their early days of learning building modeling workflows to more seasoned users seeking a foundation in plugin development.

The two-part workshop begins with an introduction to establishing a parametric core-and-shell tower model. Participants will learn how to structure their Grasshopper definitions to efficiently generate clean core, slab, facade, and structural geometry and extract and visualize critical project data and metrics. This exploration of parametric design will culminate in a panel rationalization exercise using Kangaroo, where participants will analyze trade-offs arising from balancing practical design considerations.

Building upon this model, the second part of the workshop focuses on developing C# components to facilitate real-time, automated PDF documentation derived from a dynamic design model. Participants will gain proficiency in loading external libraries into Grasshopper to expand workflows and learn how to transition code from Grasshopper to Visual Studio to produce redistributable plugins for collaborative use.

  • Description Coming Soon

  • David Mans is the Director of AECtech at Thornton Tomasetti | CORE studio, and a member of application development team focusing on product development for web visualization platforms. Formerly, he was the senior computational designer for Grimshaw Architects NYC, working on projects including Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion for the 2020 Dubai Expo. He is also the author of over a dozen open-source plugins for Grasshopper 3d.

 
 

Developing 3D apps with Rhino Compute | Modelup

This hands-on workshop explores how Rhino Compute can be used to power cloud-based applications with Rhino and Grasshopper logic under the hood. We’ll walk through real-world examples of how to set up and connect to Rhino Compute and integrate geometry workflows into custom apps. Whether you're building configurators, analysis tools, or interactive geometry apps, this session will give you the building blocks and practical insights to get started - or level up - your Rhino Compute development.

  • Emil Poulsen is the co-founder of Modelup, a company building web-based 3D apps and configurators powered by Rhino and Grasshopper. With a background in architecture, engineering, and software development, Emil has extensive experience working with Grasshopper and developing custom tools that run Grasshopper server-side to connect computational design with modern web technologies.

  • Lucas Wiener is a software engineer and co-founder of Modelup, where he focuses on the full web stack behind 3D apps and configurators powered by Rhino and Grasshopper. With a strong background in system architecture, UI, UX, frontend, and backend development, Lucas specializes in creating intuitive, high-performance tools tailored for the AEC industry.

 
 
 

WORKSHOP Location

Tech Talent Center - UPC School

Carrer de Badajoz, 73, Sant Martí

Barcelona, 08005 , Spain

 

Symposium

Friday, JUNE 13th / 2:00 Pm - 7:00 pm (CET) | @ Talent Garden| In person

Be inspired by leaders in design and technology within the AEC industry. Join us for a series of presentations and discussions reflecting on the state of practice today and what is on the horizon.

AGENDA

2:00 pm

2:30 pm

Registration & Coffee

Welcome

 

Presenter | 2:40 pm

  • Description Coming Soon

 
 

  • Architect by UPC BarcelonaTech. Founder of CODA Computational Design Affaris, focused in design and consultancy in several fields within geometry , construction and lightweight structures. Currently PhD candidate at the UPC and associate teacher at UPC. He has taught parametric architecture classes at the Escola d'Arquitectura del Vallès (ETSAV, UPC) and he has taught workshops and classes on the use of wood in computational design at universities in Madrid, Norway, Austria and Hungary.

 
 

Presenter | 3:00 pm

 
 

Presenter | 3:20 pm

  • With a background in architecture and a passion for innovation and high-tech, Vincenzo Panasiti have developed extensive expertise in digital tools, BIM processes, and sustainable design. Along the way, he earned certifications in Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation and Information Management, to integrate advanced technologies into architectural workflows and foster innovation. He currently work as the Head of Design Technology at ACPV ARCHITECTS, where co-lead a team of about 35 professionals focused on BIM consulting, Digital Twin, Artificial Intelligence, and data analytics.

 
 

  • Focused on research and development, Giovanni Consiglio investigates how emerging technologies, such as AI, web development, and data modelling, can support architectural design processes and improve digital infrastructure in practice. With a background in architectural engineering and deep experience in computational design tools, machine learning and web technologies, he leads one of the Computational Design and R&D units at ACPV ARCHITECTS. His work bridges architecture and coding, developing scalable tools and data-driven workflows to enhance interoperability, knowledge sharing, and design decision-making

 
 

Presenter | 3:40 pm

  • Emil Poulsen is the co-founder of Modelup, a company building web-based 3D apps and configurators powered by Rhino and Grasshopper. With a background in architecture, engineering, and software development, Emil has extensive experience working with Grasshopper and developing custom tools that run Grasshopper server-side to connect computational design with modern web technologies.

 
 

  • Lucas Wiener is a software engineer and co-founder of Modelup, where he focuses on the full web stack behind 3D apps and configurators powered by Rhino and Grasshopper. With a strong background in system architecture, UI, UX, frontend, and backend development, Lucas specializes in creating intuitive, high-performance tools tailored for the AEC industry.

 
 

Presenter | 4:00 pm

  • Description Coming Soon

 

Discussion | 4:20 pm

4:40 pm

Group 1 | Q&A Panel

Coffee Break

 

Presenter | 5:00 pm

  • Description Coming Soon

 
 

Presenter | 5:10 pm

  • Jeroen is a Associate Director at Thornton Tomasetti and is leading the CORE studio team in London. CORE is Thornton Tomasetti’s Research and Development incubator, enabling collaboration with project teams and industry colleagues to drive change and innovation. Jeroen particularly focuses on the design of microclimates for urban spaces. During the early stages of a design, in-house developed digital models of wind simulations and solar and thermal radiation are used to analyse complex urban scenarios on master planning scale or at the level of an individual development, thus ensuring comfortable spaces from the outset of the architectural design process.

    Prior to this role Jeroen was an Associate Director at AKT II and leading their Bioclimatic Design Team.

    Jeroen received his Master in Architecture (MArch.) with Distinction from the Emergent Technologies and Design Program at the Architectural Association in London and received his Master of Science (MSc.) from Eindhoven University of Technology.
    He is a registered architect in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

 
 

  • Description coming soon…

 
 

Presenter | 5:30 pm

  • Description Coming Soon

 
 

Presenter | 5:50 pm

  • Pedro Cortés is a computational designer and software developer. With more than seven years of experience in the AEC field, Pedro has not only directed architectural projects but has also worked on the development of digital tools for the project process. Pedro is characterized by a profound commitment to innovation, as evidenced by contributions to the development of applications on top of Rhino and Grasshopper. These tools are not just about automation; they empower designers to utilize cloud-based computation, facilitating collaboration and enabling the execution of computationally intensive tasks without specialized hardware.

 
 

Presenter | 6:10 pm

  • Luis E. Fraguada investigates critical issues in architecture, design, and urbanism through various modes, including associative design, scripting, and fabrication.

    Luis is a developer at Robert McNeel & Associates, specializing in helping people build great things with Rhino3d. In academia, Luis has taught internationally, and has been an AEC technology expert at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia for over 10 years. Luis holds a Masters of Architecture and Urbanism from the Architectural Association in London.

 

Discussion | 6:30 pm

6:50 pm

7:00 pm

Group 2 | Q&A Panel

Closing Statements

Happy Hour

 

SYMPOSIUM Location

Talent Garden Barcelona

Carrer de Ramon Turró, 169, A,

Barcelona, 08005 Spain

 

Hackathon

SAT, June 14TH / 9:00am - SUN, June 15th / 3:00 pm (CET) | @ BIG Barcelona | IN PERSON

Create something incredible with a team of your peers during the 26-hour hackathon. Starting on Saturday morning and ending on Sunday afternoon. AEC Tech’s Hackathon is an event for all levels of programmers, developers, engineers, and others. Additionally, it is aimed at allowing attendees to collaborate, network, build new relationships, and generate new ideas and processes for the AEC community.

AGENDA

 

Saturday, June 14th 9:00 am

9:30 am

10:00 am

10:30 am

11:00 am

1:00 pm

7:00 pm

Sunday, June 15th 11:00 am

11:30 am

12:00 pm

2:00 pm

2:30 pm

Registration & Coffee

Hackathon Kickoff

Lightning Round

Team Formation

Hacking Begins!

Lunch

Dinner

Pencils Down

Submit Presentations / Lunch

Team Presentations

Hackathon Judging

Winners Announced

 
 

PRIZES

There are three awards for the Best Hackathon Entries.

  • Best Overall Hack

  • Best Collaborative Hack

  • Most Impactful Hack

Prizes are awarded to each team member.

Judges

Hackathon entries will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel of judges.

 
 
 

Thank you to Our partners & Sponsors !

 

BIG Architects

cityweft.com

Robert McNeel & Associates