The Symposium will be hosted at:

Verizon Education Center

Cornell Tech

2 W Loop Rd, New York, NY 10044

Transit Options

• Roosevelt Island Tramway to / from Manhattan

• Subway via the F Train at the Roosevelt Island Station

• NYC Ferry via the Astoria Route at the Roosevelt Island Stop

8:00 am |

9:00 am |

9:00 am -10:20 am |

In Person Registration

Live Stream Begins | Welcome & Introduction

Morning Presentations

9:10 am |

EPIC Games

Stephen Phillips

Solution Architect

As a Solution Architect at Epic Games, Stephen works with AECO customers globally to implement Epic's ecosystem of real-time tools: Twinmotion, Unreal Engine, and RealityScan. He comes armed with over 10 years of experience supporting end users doing rendering and development for VR, mobile, AR, and desktop applications.

9:35 am |

KARAMBA 3D

Matthew TaM

Karamba Team

Matthew Tam is a computational designer based in Vienna, having studied architecture at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, SCI Arc, and the University of Melbourne. He is the Operations Manager at Karamba3D and regularly holds workshops at conferences and institutions such as DigitalFUTURES, CAADRIA, AAG, Design Modeling Symposium, Smart Geometry, and McNeel. Matthew leads the Design Technology department in Bollinger+Grohmann Vienna, working at the interface of architectural, structural, and computational design.

10:00 am |

Dassault Systemes & SHoP Architects

Jonathan Asher

CATIA Global Sales Director @ Dassault Systemes

Jonathan Asher bridges the architecture, engineering and construction disciplines as an expert in generative parametric modeling, design automation and digital fabrication. An experienced architect, engineer and fabricator, he is responsible for the global sales strategy and direction of CATIA's Architecture, Engineering, Construction, City Planning and Infrastructure solutions for Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE Platform.

John Cerone

Principal @ SHOP ARCHITECTS

John Cerone is a Principal who leads SHoP’s Virtual Design and Construction teams, including all technology visioning initiatives and the development of bespoke technology tools. John is recognized internationally as a leader in exploring the future uses of technology in design and construction. He currently represents SHoP at the Design Futures Council, as well as leading our work with Dassault Systèmes as part of a transdisciplinary group that includes Boeing and Tesla. His work at SHoP includes a lead role in developing the technologies behind the success of the Barclays Center, the VDC-driven delivery of the Botswana Innovation Hub, and an ongoing technology and exhibitions project at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York.

10:25 am |

Thornton Tomasetti | CORE studio

Alloy Kemp

Director CORE Studio Operations

Nicholas Mundell

Director CORE Modeling

10:50 am |

11:10 am |

Morning Presenters Roundtable

Coffee Break

11:30 am |

Roundtable | AI in AEC

Moderator

Moderator To Be Announced

Pablo Zamorano | Heatherwick Studio

Senior associate & Head of Geometry and Computational Design

As Head of Geometry and Computational Design at Heatherwick Studio, Pablo Zamorano bridges architecture, technology, and academia. Since joining the studio in 2015, he has played a key role in numerous projects and led applied research efforts. His team specializes in integrating new technologies, simulations, and advanced fabrication techniques while also developing the studio’s own digital tools.

Zamorano was the Deputy Project Leader for Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, London. He oversaw key project stages, coordinating between the studio and the executive architect. His expertise was particularly crucial in developing and executing the Upper Level’s complex geometries.

Natalia Bakaeva | ARKI

Co-Founder & CEO

Natalia Bakaeva is a registered architect, OAA, International Assoc. AIA, artist, and placemaker passionate about creating physical forms that reflect diverse cultural influences. She has worked on residential, commercial, healthcare, educational, and public space art projects. Born and raised in the Far East of Russia, her global journey includes Japan, Spain, Moscow, London, and Toronto, where she resides. Natalia's dedication to the sustainability of architectural practice and diverse background led her to co-found ARKI, the first-ever AI-powered memory hub that turns internal drafting data into faster, smarter future projects. Her approach empowers architects to focus on creativity and efficiency, enhancing economic and sustainability outcomes in the built environment.

George Guida | xFigura

Founder & CEO

George Guida is a leading figure at the intersection of architecture and artificial intelligence — an architect, researcher, and entrepreneur shaping the future of design technology. He is the CEO of xFigura, an AI-native platform adopted by top global design firms for early-stage concept ideation, visualization, and collaboration. He is also the Co-Founder of ArchiTAG LLP, a forward-thinking design studio that exhibited at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, and is recognized for its expertise in AI consultancy, participatory workflows, and performance-driven architecture.
George currently teaches at UPenn, and has previously taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Northeastern University, and Wentworth Institute of Technology, and has delivered lectures and workshops at institutions including RISD, CEPT, Tongji, and more. He serves on the RIBA Expert Advisory Group on AI in Architecture and actively collaborates with NCARB and the AIA on integrating AI into architectural education, ethics, and professional practice

Joachim Viktil | Reope

CEO

Joachim Viktil is an engineer and MBA graduate with nearly 15 years of experience in the AEC Industry. Over the course of his career, he developed a passion for leveraging technology to create a better built environment. After a more than a decade at an international engineering services firm followed by a brief stint at an AI startup, Joachim joined Reope, where he serves as CEO. Reope spearheads next-generation BIM coordination and custom design software development, partnering with architecture and engineering firms to unlock the full potential of their data. Joachim’s deep industry expertise, coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit, has positioned him as a trusted voice on AI adoption and human-centered innovation in the AEC sector.

12:30 pm |

1:30 pm - 4:30 pm |

Lunch Break

Afternoon Presentations

1:35 pm |

CODA

Pep Tornabell

Associate Partner

—-

2:00 pm |

Heatherwick Studio

Pablo Zamorano

Senior associate & Head of Geometry and Computational Design

As Head of Geometry and Computational Design at Heatherwick Studio, Pablo Zamorano bridges architecture, technology, and academia. Since joining the studio in 2015, he has played a key role in numerous projects and led applied research efforts. His team specializes in integrating new technologies, simulations, and advanced fabrication techniques while also developing the studio’s own digital tools.

Zamorano was the Deputy Project Leader for Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, London. He oversaw key project stages, coordinating between the studio and the executive architect. His expertise was particularly crucial in developing and executing the Upper Level’s complex geometries.

2:25 pm |

Turner Construction

Ben Ferrer

Senior Leader in Artificial Intelligence

2:50 pm |

ZAHNER

Burcin Nalinci

Lead Research And Development Engineer

3:15 pm |

3:40 pm |

Afternoon Presenters Roundtable

Coffee Break

4:00 pm |

Discussion | Leadership & Technology

Moderator

Evan Troxel |TRXL Media

FOUNDER

SHANE BURGER | SOM

Chief Design Technology Officer

As Chief Design Technology Officer, Shane leads SOM’s global Design Technology team and directs the workflows and software that empower every member of our team to better foster efficiency and innovation. In his previous role as a Principal at Woods Bagot, he led a global DesignOps team dedicated to researching, developing, and applying new models of design and delivery to projects, and fostered a global community of designers that was defining the innovation-led future of practice.

From 2003-2011 he was Head of Design Technology at Grimshaw Architects. At Grimshaw he specialized in design for Arts & Cultural facilities and the use of advanced computation techniques for advanced geometry, analysis, and fabrication. He also established Grimshaw’s first BIM projects.

Starting in the early 2000’s, Shane was an early advocate and active developer of design computation methodologies in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. During this time, he served for 8 years as a director of the design computation and education non-profit Smartgeometry, firmly positioning that organization at the intersection of art, design, technology, and the modern human experience.

Jonathan Nelson I Populous

Global Head of Digital at Populous

With multifaceted experiences in architecture, design and digital transformations, Jonathan Nelson’s career is united and defined by a passion for inventing and implementing improved operational processes.
As global head of digital for design firm Populous, Jonathan is integral in supporting the global holdings board through his development, evaluation and evolution of a technological vision and strategy to develop and enhance all digital services and products.
Prior to joining Populous, Jonathan founded the award-winning design and fabrication business Studio Workshop, was responsible for scaling a new faculty for Bond University and led Lendlease’s campaign for a sustainable digital and productized future for the construction industry.
Jonathan’s passion lies in creating better solutions for others through data-driven solutions and advocacy.

Heath May | HKS Architects

Global Practice Director, LINE

As Global Practice Director of HKS LINE (Laboratory for INtensive Exploration), my work and research with HKS include data-driven design optimization, simulation, and digital design, fabrication and delivery. Working across multiple sectors and practice areas over a 20+ year career, I've led teams in the successful design and delivery of projects ranging from hotels, commercial and creative office, health, urban infrastructure, sports stadia and arenas, and innovation centers. My leadership in challenging typological convention has led to innovative solutions that create lasting positive impact for HKS clients, users, and communities.

To be announced

—-

5:00 pm |

AECtech Closing Statements

ROBERT OTANI | Thornton Tomasetti | CORE studio

CTO

Robert K. Otani, PE LEED AP is Chief Technology Officer at Thornton-Tomasetti, Inc., a 1700+ person multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm, and founded the CORE studio, an applications development, advanced computational modeling, and R&D group at his firm. He has extensive structural design and project management experience involving commercial, infrastructure, institutional, cultural and residential structures on projects totaling over $2 billion USD of construction. His professional and academic interests focus on informed architecture relating to optimized structural typologies, high performance structures, and structural sustainability. He has served as President of the Structural Engineers Association of New York in 2007 and has been an Adjunct Professor at Pratt Institute School of Architecture and Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

7:00 - 9:00 pm |