MSc in Computational Design and Digital Fabrication

Upon successful completion of this program, the students should be able to:

1. Acquire knowledge and expertise in computational design and digital fabrication in relation to architecture and design.
2. Interpret and criticize specific design methodologies, current applications and emerging advances in the field of computational design and digital fabrication.
3. Asses the effect of these methodologies and applications in the production of the built environment.
4. Conduct research leading to new knowledge.
5. Propose original applications of analysis and research knowledge in the field of computational design and digital fabrication through design projects.
6. Evaluate current methodologies and develop critiques of them, in relation to the question set and the outcome of the method.
7. Identify problems in design-to-fabrication workloads and develop solutions based on feedback loops between digital and material world.
8. Display high-level and sought-after skills in pursuing computational design research, including software skills, 3D-modelling, visual computer programming and text-based programming.
9. Display high-level skills in pursuing digital fabrication and material research, including material properties understanding and physical prototyping.
10. Formulate material fabrication techniques and physical prototyping as a medium for improving design communication and outcome.
11. Unfold leadership skills, through teamwork and workshops, relative to architectural workflows with the purpose of enriching current practices or introducing new processes that can provide design solutions as a result of automated, computational processes.
12. Develop the capacity to creatively deal with complex problems either individually or as part of a group through research and design projects.
13. Acquire the ability to communicate research and design conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences through design projects and presentations

The MSc in Computational Design and Digital Fabrication operates as a cross-disciplinary platform, bringing together participants from various design and engineering specializations. The course is open to professionals with backgrounds in architecture, interior design, industrial design, product design, civil and structural engineering, mechanical engineering, and related fields. Suitably qualified candidates from other disciplines with a demonstrated focus on design and engineering are also encouraged to apply.

To be considered for admission, candidates must submit the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Detailed Portfolio displaying relevant background and/or interest in computational design and digital fabrication. The portfolio should clearly demonstrate the candidate’s design and/or engineering experience.
• Basic computing experience relevant to the field of computational design.
• A Bachelor’s degree (Second Class Honours 2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant field (such as architecture, engineering, industrial design, or product design) from an accredited institution of higher education, along with a transcript.
• Short statement (approximately two pages) outlining personal goals, research aims, and reasons for interest in the programme.
• English Language Proficiency: If English is not your first language, you may be required to demonstrate that you meet the University of Nicosia’s Postgraduate Admissions Requirements for English Language Proficiency, which can be found here.
• Contact details of two referees: Preferably one academic referee and one professional supervisor.
• Optional supporting documents: Other documents that may enhance the application (e.g., articles, publications, awards).
• Interview: The admissions process may include an interview during which the candidate will have the opportunity to present a topic of their choice.

Compulsory Courses
ARCH-570DL Digital Fabrication – University of Nicosia
ARCH-571DL Theory and Evolution of Computational Design
ARCH-572DL Computational Design Processes
ARCH-580DL Robotic Fabrication – University of Innsbruck
ARCH-582DL Performance Based Design
ARCH-590DL Research Methodology in Design & Technology

Post graduate assignment 
ARCH-594DL Thesis

The MSc in Computational Design and Digital Fabrication (MSc CDDF) is a degree offered in collaboration with the University of Innsbruck, Faculty of Architecture, and The Institute for Experimental Architecture. The programme belongs to the Department of Architecture, which is under the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Nicosia. The Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences is Professor Klimis Mastoridis. Head of the Department of Architecture is Ms Markella Menikou, Associate Professor.

All information about the teaching staff and student obligations, the policy for absences/ failure/ postponement/ interruption of study/ removal from students’ registry, disciplinary control, etc. are outlined in the University Of Nicosia Internal Regulations, (Chapter 2, ACADEMIC POLICIES). The document can be found online here: www.unic.ac.cy/academic-calendar/academic-policies/

Additionally, DL Students can also refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section, here: www.unic.ac.cy/distance-learning/faq/

Michail Georgiou, Associate Professor, UNic (programme coordinator)

Michalis Georgiou is an associate professor (programme co-coordinator) at the Department of Architecture, ARC, of the University of Nicosia in the field of Computational Design and Digital Fabrication. He is a practicing architect/founding member of HUB design platform, SEAMLEXITY and OOM. He holds a MSc in Adaptive Architecture and Computation from the Barlett and a MArch from NTUA. His current research focuses in developing and applying computational tools in assisting and enriching design and construction processes. Before moving on to realize his own professional collaborations and projects Michalis has worked with Foster + Partners in London, as a design architect and design analyst, member of the Specialist’s Modeling Group. He is a registered Architect in ARB/UK and ETEK/Cyprus, while his work has received numerous local and international distinctions including the state architecture award and a recent nomination for the European Union Mies Van Der Rohe prize.

Odysseas Georgiou, Adjunct Faculty, UNic

Odysseas Georgiou is a computational design engineer at SEAMLEXITY and adjunct Faculty at the Department of Architecture [ARC] University of Nicosia. He holds an MEng from the School of Civil Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens and an MPhil in Digital Architecture from the University of Bath where he researched on computational geometry & structural optimisation.

He has practiced at Buro Happold Engineers London collaborating with renowned international architectural practices in designing geometrically complex structures. He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Bath researching interactive approaches to structural design and reinventing forms based on their structural performance.

Eftihis Efthimiou, Adjunct Faculty

Eftihis is a biologist and a computational design specialist, with a diploma from the Uni. of Ioannina and a M.Arch GAD from the Volos School of Architecture, Uth, with honours. He is researching complex architectural geometry problem solving through the use of autopoetic design systems. His base is Decode Fab Lab, where he holds the position of Head of Training and Computational Instructor. Apart from that, he is heavily focused on Academia. He is currently a Lecturer at the “Computational Design & Digital Fabrication Msc”, at the Architrecture Dept., Unic and a Scientiffic Collaborator at the Advanced Design Graduate Program, Architecture Dept. Auth, where he teaches computational design & digital fabrication. He is also a Research Associate in A.U.Th. In the past he used to teach at the Architrecture Dept., UIbk, as a Visiting Lecturer and a Senior Scientist, and at the Architrecture Dept., Volos, Uth, as a Teaching Assistant. His work has been presented in numerous exhibitions around Europe, exploring both the technical and expressive aspects of computational design for the articulation of architectural form. 

Dr Tonia Sophocleous- Lemonari, Assistant Professor, UNic

Tonia entered the domain of structural analysis and design in 1994 as a Civil Engineering graduate from the National Technical University of Athens. She has been a qualified professional (CSTC, CyACE, CCEAA membership) specialized in Structural Engineering for her 5-year long studies. She has been conducting research which initiated by the “Investigation of Various Schemes for Dynamic Structures”. She’s been actively carrying out investigation and in 2005 she obtained a 2nd Master in Management expanding her interests. Her ongoing passion in scientific experimentation brought her in contact with the University in 2005, which gave her a lifelong interest in adapting to new methods of teaching utilizing research methods and technology tools and serving as a master program’s coordinator. Her research career boosted when, during her teaching at the National University, she encountered the specialized academics in her research interest field who inspired her to earn a Ph.D. for her research on “Adaptable Dual Control Systems” in 2012. Her work was published in key refereed international journals and presented in fifteen international conferences across Europe and Asia. Her research has been informing professional practice as a structural analyst and designer since 2000. She’s been applying exploration as an employed organizations’ consultant.  

Ioulios Georgiou, Adjunct Faculty, UNic

Ioulios Georgiou is an architect and computational designer, specialized in digital fabrication technologies. His practice focuses on architectural design, as well as consulting for additive manufacturing companies. He is also involved in research and teaching at the University of Nicosia.

Ioulios holds a Master of Science in Architecture from TU Berlin and a Master of Advanced Studies from ETH Zurich, specializing in digital fabrication. He has professional experience at architecture firms in Germany, such as KEC Architekten where he was mostly focused on technical design, BIM, and construction implementation. He is a registered Architect at Architektenkammer/Berlin and ETEK/Cyprus. Ioulios is also certified by McNeel as an Authorized Rhino Trainer(ART) and is a recipient of two scholarships and various honors from architectural competitions.

Georg Grasser, Senior Lecturer, UIbk

Georg Grasser studied architecture at the University of Innsbruck, Ecole d’Architecture de Paris la Villette, Vienna University of Technology and holds a Postgraduate Degree in architecture, specialization in computer aided architectural design from the ETH Zurich.

He is currently teaching at the New Design Universtiy St.Pölten and researching at the Department for Experimental Architecture / Hochbau at the University of Innsbruck, where he is currently co-running the robotic laboratory. In his research he is focusing on additive manufactured concrete structures and self-organized folding strategies of textile reinforced concrete.

Christina Christoforou, Computational design and digital fabrication specialist, UNic

Christina studied at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, US, for two years and continued her studies at the University of Nicosia, in the Department of Architecture (ARC) from where she received her Professional Diploma in Architecture in 2018. She has been working and teaching as a fabrication specialist at the University of Nicosia since 2017.

Christina has a strong interest in Computational Design and Digital Fabrication and was involved in the design, fabrication, and construction of several Pavilions. In 2017, she participated at the FAB FEST LONDON Competition and awarded the first place in the fabrication category. Her diploma research project focused on fabricating deployable, adaptable Pavilion structures, whereas her thesis project focused on the role of pavilions for Architecture. Christina is a registered Architect at ETEK/Cyprus.