Zhiyi Zhang is a researcher and architect. His interests focus on risk-informed planning, disaster risk management, and sustainable Infrastructure. With a foundation in digital architecture and planning, his work applies emerging technologies to enhance environmental resilience, support local communities, and improve infrastructure. He gained several years of experience in complex spatial systems and large-scale infrastructure design through his work at the Austria office of COOP HIMMELB(L)AU, where he contributed to international projects such as Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport, NEOM–The Line, and projects from China. His role involved cross-cultural coordination, design research, and integrating architectural strategies with environmental contexts.

Jakub Tyc is a computational design researcher and architect specializing in the integration of spatial data, machine learning, and advanced modelling methodologies to address complex challenges in architecture, urban planning, and environmental design.With a PhD in Architecture and Spatial Planning from TU Wien — awarded the Dissertationspreis der Stadt Wien 2024 for exceptional interdisciplinary research — He focuses on data-driven design processes that leverage composite voxel models, photogrammetry, and knowledge graphs to support ecologically responsive and performance-oriented architecture.Over the past years, he has contributed to and led interdisciplinary research projects at the intersection of architecture, digital workflows, and urban ecology, including the H2020 ECOLOPES and recently completed UGS 4.0 projects. His expertise spans computational design methodologies, voxel-based data integration, AI-supported analysis, and the development of custom software tools for urban planning, building performance simulation, and knowledge graph integration. His technical profile bridges architecture, data science, and software development, with expert-level proficiency in Python, spatial databases, GIS, and parametric CAD platforms like Rhino/Grasshopper. He actively contributes to the academic community through peer-reviewed publications, co-edited books, and presentations at international conferences, including Harvard GSD and Politecnico di Milano.

Michael U. Hensel (Dip. Ing. Grad Dip Des AA PhD) is registered in the German Chamber of Architects (AKNDS) and associate member of the Association of German Architects (BDA). He is a co-founder of the pioneering practice OCEAN and partner in the practice OCEAN Architecture | Environment. Currently he is Professor at TU Wien where he leads the research department for Digital Architecture and Planning. At TU Wien he is also board member of the Center for Geometry and Computational Design (GCD) and co-chair of the Special Interest Group Knowledge Discovery in Architecture at the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (CAIML).He previously taught at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, Berlage Institute Amsterdam, Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Technical University in Munich, Rice University in Houston, University of Technology Sydney, and Southeast University in Nanjing, China. At the Architectural Association he was director of the Emergent Technologies and Design Program (2001-09), at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design he was founding director of the Research Centre for Architecture and Tectonics (2011-18). He was also founding and acting chairman of OCEAN Design Research Association (2008-18) and SEA Sustainable Environment Association (2011-15), as well as board member of BIONIS Biomimetics Network for Industrial Sustainability (2007-11).