Pioneering Biomaterials, the 5th Annual CCA & Autodesk Technology Center Academic Alliance Symposium, is a two-day event accompanied by an exhibition of the same name. This symposium explores the transformative role of biomaterials in sustainable architecture and design, bringing together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals for dynamic discussions on the material futures of the built environment.

Focused on cutting-edge, sustainable, and resilient solutions, the event aims to shape the conversation around the materials of tomorrow while inspiring innovative approaches to addressing pressing environmental challenges. The accompanying exhibition provides a tangible exploration of biomaterials, showcasing innovative projects and research that exemplify their potential to redefine the future of design and construction.

Day two of the symposium features a series of panels and discussions with a closing keynote lecture by David Benjamin, founder of the Living Architecture Lab and a leader at Autodesk Research. 

Schedule 

• The Necessity of Biomaterials

This panel, with Laia Mogas-Soldevila, Jenny Sabin, Dyche Mullins, and Laura Gonzales, explores how biomaterials address urgent environmental challenges, emphasizing their potential to reduce ecological footprints while improving the resilience and functionality of the built environment.

• Bridging the Gap: Academia & Industry Collaboration

Experts–Lynn J. Rothschild, Martyn Dade-Robinson, Anastasia Hanifah Mulian, and David Benjamin–discuss strategies for fostering greater collaboration between academia and industry, focusing on how these sectors can work together to accelerate biomaterial innovations and translate research into practice.

• Challenges and Innovations in Biomaterials

This panel, featuring Frances Yang, Emily Alvarez, Bill Kreysler, Rick Rundell, and Yves Behar, highlights the obstacles and breakthroughs in biomaterial research and implementation, showcasing examples of sustainable and energy-efficient solutions transforming the architectural landscape.

Keynote: David Benjamin will share insights into the latest advancements in biomaterials, drawing from his extensive work in both academic research and industry innovation.

A presentation of CCA Architecture / Autodesk Technology Centers Academic Alliance.