? After a year of work, it’s finally happening! ?
Margaret Ikeda, Evan Jones , Alex Schofield , and I are incredibly proud to bring the Pioneering Biomaterials Symposium to life at California College of the Arts on February 13–14! This event represents a deep collaboration between CCA Architectural Ecologies Lab, CCA Digital Craft Lab, Autodesk Research , and UCSF.
Why This Matters
The future of sustainable design depends on materials that can adapt, regenerate, and reduce environmental impact. Biomaterials are not just a concept—they are already shaping the way we think about architecture, fabrication, and innovation. This symposium is about bridging gaps: between academia and industry, research and application, challenges and solutions.
What to Expect
?? Keynote Speakers:
?? Jenny Sabin (Cornell) – A pioneer at the intersection of architecture, science, and biomaterials. (Feb 13, 5–6:30 PM)
Moderator: Omari Barron (Autodesk)
?? David Benjamin (Autodesk Research) – Leading research on Net-Zero Buildings and generative, sustainable design. (Feb 14, 5–7 PM)
Moderator: Angela Foss (Autodesk)
February 14, Symposium day:
Welcoming notes from David Howes (CCA president), Keith Krumwiede, Athena Moore and AEL and DCL lab directors
Panel Discussions:
?? Panel 1 | Academia (Feb 14, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM)
Moderator: Camille Moore (UCSF)
Panelists: Jenny Sabin(Cornell University ), Dyche Mullins (UCSF), Laia Mogas Soldevila (UPenn), Laura Gonzalez (Genspace)
?? Panel 2 | Convergence (Feb 14, 1:00 – 2:30 PM)
Moderator: Hugh Hynes (CCA Faculty, PROTOinc)
Panelists: Martyn Dade-Robertson (Northumbria University), Lynn Rothschild (NASA Ames), Anastasia Muliana (Texas A&M University), David Benjamin (Autodesk)
?? Panel 3 | Industry (Feb 14, 3:00 – 4:30 PM)
Moderator: Noa Kaplan, PhD Kaplan (Autodesk)
Panelists: Rick Rundell (Track 5), Bill Kreysler (Kreysler and Associates), Frances Yang (Arup), Emily Alvarez (StopWaste), Yves Béhar (Fuseproject)
A huge thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this possible. Special thanks to Claire Leffler, Kira Finigan, Dawn Lorence, Ali Farajmandi , Anhelina Rozum, and Phong Tran