Paulo Cruz
Director ACTech Hub
Paulo J. S. Cruz – Director of ACTech Hub, is a Full Professor of Construction and Technology at the School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho and Researcher at the Laboratory of Landscapes, Heritage and Territory (Lab2PT).
The R&D activity aims to drive the convergence of Architecture, Construction, Design and Technology through pioneering research and education related to recent breakthroughs in the art, practice, and theory within these multidisciplinary domains.
He devoted his efforts to create and promote a set of laboratorial facilities with a vast potential for research, development and innovation: (1) The Laboratory of Construction and Technology; (2) The Advanced Ceramics Laboratory; (3) The Advanced Design & Technology Lab. The Architecture, Construction and Technology Hub aggregates those facilities and envisages the interdisciplinary collaboration to address emerging challenges.
PhD in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain (1995). Master in Structural Engineering from the University of Porto, Portugal (1991). Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Porto, Portugal (1987).
President of the School of Architecture, Art and Design (2021-2027 and 2004-2011). Pro-Rector of the University of Minho for Quality of Life and Infrastructure (2017-2021). Director of Lab2PT (2015-2017). President of the Design Institute of Guimarães (since 2015).
Founder and President of the “International Association of Structures and Architecture” (2016-2022). Coordinator of the organization of international congresses on this theme (ICSA2010, ICSA2013, ICSA2016, ICSA2019 and ICSA2022). Editor-in-Chief of the Journal “Architecture, Structures and Construction”, Springer, since 2021. Co-Chair of the 1st and 2nd Design Commit International Conferences on Design & Industry (2024 and 2026).
CA1B-A16C-0C15
Bruno Figueiredo
Co-Director ACTech Hub
Bruno Figueiredo – Co-Director of the ACTech Hub, is an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho (EAAD-UM), being responsible for courses dedicated to Computer Design, Computational Modelling and Digital Fabrication. Staff of ERASMUS+ Master in Building Information Modelling, coordinating the module BIM A+3 Parametric Modelling in BIM – www.bimaplus.org.
Was Vice-President for Knowledge Transfer and Enhancement, Communication and Internationalisation and member of the EAAD (2021-2024). Member of the Landscapes, Heritage and Territory Laboratory R&D unit, research group DeTech – Design and Technology. Member of the IN2PAST – Associate Laboratory for Research and Innovation in Heritage, Arts, Sustainability and Territory, where coordinates the thematic line 01 — Science and Technology for Cultural Heritage. He is a founding member ACTech Hub – Architecture, Construction and Technology Hub (Guimarães). Visiting student of Design and Computation Group, MIT (2012). PhD in Construction and Technology by the University by EAUM (2016) with the thesis “Decoding the De re aedificatoria of Alberti: a computational approach to the analysis and generation of classical architecture”. Holds a Master in Modern and Contemporary Architectural Culture by the University of Lisbon (2009), with the dissertation “Project, Computing and Manufacturing: for the integration of digital technologies in Architecture”. Graduated in Architecture by the University of Porto (2000). His research is centred on the use of digital tools in architecture, encompassing the development of generative and analytical computational models, BIM, interactive cyber-physical systems and digital/robotic fabrication in architectural design processes, namely the implementation and control of additive manufacturing techniques.
Aires Camões
Associate Professor (EEUM)
Aires Camões is Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Minho, belonging to the Disciplinary Area of Constructions. He is currently the Head of the Laboratory of Materials of Construction.
He develops scientific and pedagogical activity in the area of Construction Materials, he is a member of the R&D Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction (CTAC) and he has 30 years of teaching and research experience. His main research interests are related with eco-efficient construction materials, mineral additions in cementitious mixtures, high volume fly ash concrete, low cement content concrete and durability of concrete structures. He has published 18 books and book chapters, 132 papers in international journals (including 63 WoS/Scopus papers) and international proceedings and 107 papers in national journals and proceedings. He has 2 patents of invention and participated in 14 national research projects, 6 as responsible researcher. He has supervised 4 post-doctoral students, 12 PhD theses (4 in progress) and 62 MSc theses (4 in progress).
Filipe Brandão
Coordinator ARENA
Filipe J. S. Brandão – Coordinator of ARENA lab, is an Assistant Researcher at the School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho, holder of the CASAIS Chair ‘Construction in the Digital Age’ (2025-2028). He is responsible for courses in Computer Aided Design, Computational Design, Photogrammetry and Robotic Fabrication. Member of the Landscapes, Heritage and Territory Laboratory R&D unit, research group DeTech – Design and Technology. Member of the IN2PAST – Associate Laboratory for Research and Innovation in Heritage, Arts, Sustainability and Territory. Co-founder of PARQUR architecture collective. His research is centred on Parametric Design, Digital Manufacturing, Building renovation, Mass Customized Construction, As-built plans, Triangulation Algorithms and Computational Geometry. PhD of Contemporary Metropolitan Territories, speciality of Digital Architecture, (ISCTE, 2023) with research grants from Amorim Isolamentos, ISCTE-IUL ISTA, and the Foundation of Science and Technology.
Andreia Garcia
Assistant Professor (EAAD)
Andreia Garcia is an architect, curator, researcher and professor, holding a PhD from the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Lisbon, awarded the Manuel Tainha Prize for the best doctoral thesis in Architecture in 2015. Her work addresses architectural and spatial practices in an era shaped by accelerated technological change and an escalating ecological crisis, exploring the intersections between architecture, territory, material cultures and ecological transition.
She has taught at the Architectural Association in London and at the University of Beira Interior, where she lectured for nearly a decade and served as Vice-President of the Faculty of Engineering. In 2023, she curated the official Portuguese representation at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia with Fertile Futures, which discussed and proposed strategies for the management, protection and transformation of freshwater, contributing to a shared and global debate through a situated focus on the Portuguese territory. In 2025, she curated The Future is Now for the Portugal Pavilion at Expo Osaka and Metabolisms of Repair, the Portuguese representation at the London Design Biennale.
She is currently an Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho (EAAD-UM) and a visiting full professor at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. She was the national coordinator of the European research project InterPED – Regenerating Intermediate Territories through Positive Energy Districts (F-DUT-2023-0191), competitively funded at European level and subsequently approved through a national funding procedure under CCDR-C / CENTRO 2030 (CENTRO2030-FEDER-02496600), a role she held until January 2025. Her research practice focuses on territorial contexts in transformation, fostering situated and rigorous knowledge production, the strengthening of national and international collaborative networks, and the development of critical and responsible approaches to contemporary environmental, social and cultural challenges.
Francisca Aroso
Pos-Doc Researcher
Francisca Aroso Pinto de Oliveira is currently a Pos-doc Researcher at the School of Architecture, University of Minho. With extensive teaching and research experience in Europe and the United States, she is interested in exploring the conceptual and material opportunities that emerge from the use of computational design and fabrication technologies for the design and production of architecture. Inspired by natural systems, she studies biomimetics and its integration into the design process. Her research also delves into the way in which technology influences the way in which one thinks, conceives, and builds architecture with a keen interest in smart buildings and sustainable cities. Ph.D. in Architectural Design from the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA, 2015).
Rui Reis
Pos-Doc Researcher
Rui Reis is a Pos-Doc Researcher. He develops scientific activity in the area of digital fabrication, additive manufacturing techniques, durability of concrete structures, eco-efficient concrete and sustainability. He was involved in the design of numerous buildings in Portugal, with a focus on structures, installations, and thermal analysis.
João Ribeiro
Laboratory technician. Robotics & AM
João Ribeiro is a technician at Arena and architect by the School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho (EAAD) in July 2018 where he stood out with several academic merit awards and participated in international exhibitions and workshops. Member of the research team of Advanced Ceramics Laboratory since 2018 and research fellow of the MIT Portugal Program between October 2018 and June 2019 (KERAMOS project). Effective member of the Portuguese Order of Architects since July 2020. Currently, a PhD candidate at EAAD in the area of 3DPC.
Katherine González
Research Technician
Katherine González is a Research Technician at the School of Architecture, University of Minho (EAAD). PhD in Architecture with a specialisation in recycling and rehabilitation from the Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain. Teaching and research experience at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali, Colombia (2017–2019), Universidad Católica de Colombia (2013–2016), Universidad de La Salle Bogotá, Colombia (2019), Universitat de València and Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain, as a senior research technician in projects related to new technologies applied to pre-Columbian cultural heritage, Maya art and architecture (2023).
Tatiana Campos
PhD Candidate. Bio-polimers AM
Mohamad Hanifa
PhD Candidate. Earth AM
Ana Barbosa
PhD Candidate. Circularity & Housing
Rodrigo Chiesse
PhD Candidate
EVGENY ERMOLENKO
PhD Candidate . BIM & Computational Design
PARIS BAGHERI
PhD Candidate . 3DCP BIM Framework
OXANA BARSUKOVA
Arch Research Fellow
PHD CANDIDATE, GEO-WASTE AND PEDAGOGY, 2024-27
PHD CANDIDATE, URBAN MANUFACTURING, 2024-28
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2024-25
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2024-25
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2024-25
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2024-25
BIM A+ MASTER STUDENT, 2025
BIM A+ MASTER STUDENT, 2025
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2024-25
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2025-26
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN
PHD CANDIDATE, CERAMIC AM, 2025
PHD CANDIDATE, 3DCP ARTIFICIAL REEFS, 2025
BIM A+ MASTER STUDENT, 2024
PHD CANDIDATE, 3DCP, 2025
BIM A+ MASTER STUDENT, 2024
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2024
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2023
RESEARCH FELLOW, 2023
EUROPEAN MASTER BIM A+, 2023
RESEARCH FELLOW, 2023
MASTER ON PRODUCT DESIGN AND SERVICES, ACLab, 2023
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2023
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2022
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2022
BIM A+ MASTER STUDENT, 2021
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2021
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2021
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2021
MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, ERASMUS+, ACLab, 2021
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2020
BIM A+ MASTER STUDENT, 2020
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2019
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2019
INTEGRATED MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, ACLab, 2019
RESEARCH GRANT, LCT, 2018
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2018
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2018
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2017
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2017
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2017
BACHELOR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, ACLab, 2016
