xArch Symposium 2026:
From Inspiration to Solutions
Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
26-27 March 2026
The evolution of technology has always been driven by humanity’s desire to push boundaries, solve problems, and create a better world. From the automation of physical labor to the digitalization of processes, each breakthrough has redefined how we approach design and architecture. Today, we stand at a pivotal moment where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool for inspiration or efficiency—it is becoming a transformative force capable of delivering real-world solutions to the complex challenges of our time.
The xArch Symposium 2026 shifts its focus from exploring AI as a source of creative inspiration to examining its role as a practical, problem-solving partner in design and architecture. How can AI bridge the gap between visionary ideas and tangible outcomes? How can it help us address pressing global issues such as climate change, urbanization, and resource scarcity? And how do we ensure that AI-driven solutions remain human-centric, ethical, and sustainable?
This edition of xArch invites architects, designers, engineers, and thinkers to explore the practical applications of AI in shaping the built environment. We are particularly interested in contributions that demonstrate how AI can move beyond theoretical potential to deliver actionable, real-world solutions.
The xArch Symposium 2026 aims to foster a forward-thinking dialogue about the role of AI in design and architecture. By moving beyond inspiration to focus on practical solutions, we can unlock the full potential of AI to create a more sustainable, equitable, and innovative built environment.
Join us as we explore how AI can become a bridge between the digital and physical worlds, transforming the way we design, build, and live. Together, let’s shape a future where technology and creativity converge to deliver real solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Let’s move from imagination to implementation—because the future of design and architecture is not just about what we can dream, but what we can build.
MAIN TOPICS
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
AI in Sustainable Design
Leveraging AI to optimise energy efficiency, reduce waste, and create climate-resilient structures.
Generative Design for Real-World Challenges
Using AI to generate innovative solutions for affordable housing, infrastructure, and urban planning.
AI-Driven Construction
Exploring how AI can streamline design-to-build processes, improve precision, and reduce costs.
Human-AI Collaboration
Developing workflows that integrate human creativity with AI’s computational power to solve complex design problems.
Ethics and Responsibility
Addressing the ethical implications of AI in architecture and ensuring that technology serves humanity’s best interests.
Case Studies and Real-World Applications
Showcasing projects where AI has been successfully implemented to deliver measurable, impactful results.
AI in Higher Education
Rethinking architectural and design education to prepare the next generation of professionals for an AI-augmented future. How can curricula evolve to incorporate AI tools and methodologies while fostering critical thinking, creativity, and ethical awareness?
FULL PAPER SUBMISSION
Only accepted abstracts are invited to submit full papers. The expected number of pages is 6, 7 or 8 pages; please format your anonymised (exclude name and affiliations) full paper in the given template. Failure to anonymise full paper submissions might result in the dismissal of the submission. We invite you to submit your work via EasyChair
All abstracts and paper submissions are subject to double-blind peer review. All accepted and presented full papers will be published by Springer.
REGISTRATION FEE
PhD
Student
(ID is required)
1500RMB
Early-
Bird
(Before 31 January 2026)
2500RMB
Standard
(1 February – 27 March 2026)
3000RMB
Keynote
Speeches
(only)
1500RMB
Important note
Kindly be advised that in all accepted papers, at least one author must register for the symposium, submit the camera-ready paper with revisions included suggested by reviewers, and lastly, the paper should be presented (required for publication). Participants with a paper should provide their EasyChair paper ID.
Registration fee includes access to all sessions and keynote speeches, delegates’ pack, tea breaks and the networking event but excludes meals and accommodation.
Refund policy
Registration fee is non-refundable.
KEY DATES
1
Call for
Abstracts
1 July
2025
2
3
4
Abstract submission
deadline
21 September
2025
5 October
2025
Notice of abstract
acceptance
1 November
2025
Full paper submission
deadline
31 December
2025
5
Notice of full paper
acceptance
15 February
2026
6
Revised and formatted materials (camera-ready) due
28 February
2026
7
Symposium
26-27 March 2026
SYMPOSIUM CHAIRS
Dr. Mia Tedjosaputro
Dr. Mia Tedjosaputro is an Indonesian architect with professional experience in Indonesia and Singapore prior to pursuing her further degree in the UK. She obtained her M.Arch (Design) and PhD from the University of Nottingham, UK, in 2018. Her main research spans across from circular economy for design, digital bamboo architecture and design, embodied artificial intelligence and design pedagogy. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor in Architecture at the Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University, where she teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including PhD supervisions.
Dr. Davide Lombardi
Dr. Davide Lombardi is a chartered architect and scholar, holding a degree in Architecture with honors (BA+MA, Università degli Studi Gabriele d’Annunzio) and a Ph.D. degree in Architecture (School of Advanced Studies Gabriele d’Annunzio). His research has been published in books, journals and conference proceedings via key-note speeches in international universities (Oxford-Brookes Rome Visiting School, Nanjing University, Beijing Institute of Fashion and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan, UDLAP Puebla). He has been awarded a number of national and international grants for his research (Italy, Scotland, China). Teaching-wise, he is the supervisor of several PhD candidates in XJTLU and UoL, Module Leader for the M/Arch final year project and delivers lectures for multiple modules within the BEng program. As a professional, he collaborates with various architecture firms on large-scale international projects and small design proposals in different countries (Italy, China, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Greece, Serbia).
Giancarlo Di Marco
Giancarlo Di Marco is a Senior Associate Professor in Architecture at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU). His research focuses on the intelligent automation of construction, pioneering the integration of Artificial Intelligence within Cyber-Physical Production Systems to achieve adaptive, real-time control of digital fabrication, with a focus on 3D Concrete Printing. His work aims at establishing a theoretical framework for standardising and industrialising 3DCP through Decentralised Science. A recognised authority, he is a frequently invited lecturer at universities across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He actively contributes to the academic community through roles on scientific committees for prestigious international conferences and as a peer reviewer for top-ranked journals. His research is widely disseminated in leading publications and at forums such as eCAADe, IASS, and ICSA. As the Academic Director of the Design FabLab at XJTLU, he has been instrumental in developing a first-class digital fabrication lab with cutting-edge robotic technologies, fostering a vibrant, interdisciplinary platform that bridges computational design, robotics, and material science.
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Dr. Mia Tedjosaputro (XJTLU), chair
Dr. Davide Lombardi (XJTLU)
Giancarlo Di Marco (XJTLU)
Prof. Marc Aurel Schnabel (XJTLU)
Asterios Agkathidis (University of Liverpool)
Dr. Theo Dounas (Heriot-Watt University)
Dr. Stephanus Evert Indrawan (Ciputra University, Indonesia)
Dr. Deborah Middleton (XJTLU)
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Dr. Mia Tedjosaputro (XJTLU), chair
Giancarlo Di Marco (XJTLU)
Dr. Davide Lombardi (XJTLU)
Dr. Theo Dounas (Heriot-Watt University)
Dr. Zhelun Zhu (XJTLU)
Dr. Jingyang Liu (XJTLU)
Dr. Yang Song (XJTLU)
Dr. Jiangyang Zhao (XJTLU)
SPONSORSHIP
To be added
xArch 2023
The first xArch symposium was held on 11-12 November 2023 and provided insights about using
new technologies in architecture and design.
The discussions revolved around areas such as computational design, virtual experience, digital fabrication, artificial intelligence, and sustainability/environment. The proceedings were published by Springer, the link to the publication is as follows.
The event coverage can be found here on the website.
xArch 2023’ keynote speeches were live streamed in Digital Futures.
xArch Keynote 1:
xArch Keynote 2:
xArch Keynote 3:
xArch Keynote 4:
CONTACT US
Please send inquiries to xarch@xjtlu.edu.cn
SYMPOSIUM VENUE
IA Building (International Academic Exchange and Collaboration Center)
Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University
No 8 Chongwen Road, Suzhou Industrial Park
Suzhou
Jiangsu province
P.R. China
215123