Jeffrey Huang

Biography

Jeffrey Huang is the Director of the Institute of Architecture at EPFL (since May 1, 2020), which comprises 28 laboratories and groups in Architecture and Urban Design. He is also the Head of the Media x Design Laboratory and a Full Professor in Architecture and Computer Science, at the Faculty of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC), and at the Faculty of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC).
 
He holds a DiplArch from ETH Zurich, and Masters and Doctoral Degrees from Harvard University, where he was awarded the Gerald McCue medal for academic excellence. He started his academic career as a researcher at MIT’s Sloan School of Management (Center for Coordination Sciences). In 1998 he returned to Harvard as an Assistant Professor of Architecture and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2001. In 2006 he was named Full Professor at EPFL in Switzerland where he holds joint professorships at I&C and ENAC, and heads the Media x Design Lab. He was also a Visiting Professor at Tsinghua University, a Visiting Fellow at Stanford University’s d.school, a Honorary Visiting Professor at the University of Sheffield, and a Berkman Fellow and Faculty Associate at Harvard University (Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society).

In collaboration with Muriel Waldvogel, he founded and co-heads Convergeo, an award-winning, international strategic and experience design firm.

From 2014 - 2017, while on leave from EPFL, he led the creation of a new school of architecture in Singapore, as the Head of the Architecture and Sustainable Design Pillar (Founding Dean) at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), established in collaboration with MIT.
 
Professor Huang’s research examines the convergence of physical and digital architecture. His recent work investigates new artificial design paradigms, theories of experience design, and computational urbanism (digital city twins). His teaching explores artificial intelligence in architecture and the design of circular cities (see https://livingarchives.epfl.ch/projects/?type=All&unit=LDM).

He is currently the Director of the Blue City Innosuisse Flagship Project (2022-2026). His recent journal paper “On GANs, NLPs and Architecture” received the 2023 ACSA Best Article Award. (https://doi.org/10.1080/24751448.2021.1967060)
 

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Huang, Jeffrey, Mikhael Johanes, Frederick Chando Kim, Christina Doumpioti, and Georg-Christoph Holz. (2021). “On GANs, NLPand Architecture: Combining Human and Machine Intelligences for the Generation and Evaluation of Meaningful Designs.”Technology | Architecture Design 5 (2): 207–24. Winner of 2023 ACSA Best Article Award.

Johanes, Mikhael, and Jeffrey Huang. (2022). “Latent Isovist: Discovery of machine‐human interpretable spatial properties usinginverted GANs.” In Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture Annual Conference, ACADIA 2022.

Kim, Frederick & Huang, Jeffrey. (2022). Deep Architectural Archiving (DAA), Towards a Machine Understanding of Architectural Form. 10.52842/conf.caadria.2022.1.727.

Johanes, Mikhael, and Jeffrey Huang. (2022). “Deep Learning Spatial Signature: Inverted GANs for Isovist Representation inArchitectural Floorplan.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided ArchitecturalDesign in Europe, 2:621–29.

Doumpioti C., Huang J., (2022) Field Conditions - Environmental sensibility of spatial configurations with the use of machine intelligence. In Proceedings of the 40th Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe - Volume 2, Ghent, pp. 67–74.

Kim, Frederick & Huang, Jeffrey. (2022). Perspectival GAN - Architectural form-making through dimensional transformation. 341-350. 10.52842/conf.ecaade.2022.1.341.

Johanes, Mikhael, and Jeffrey Huang. (2021). “Deep Learning Isovist: Unsupervised Spatial Encoding in Architecture.” In Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture Annual Conference, ACADIA 2021.

Koh, I., Huang, J. (2019) “Citizen Visual Search Engine: Detection and Curation of Urban Objects”, in International Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Futures, 168-182.

Khokhlov, M., Koh, I., Huang, J., (2019). Voxel Synthesis for Generative Design, in: Gero, J.S. (Ed.), Design Computing and Cognition ’18. Springer International Publishing, pp. 227–244.

Koh, I., Amorim, P., Huang, J., (2019). Machinic Design Inference: from Pokémon to Architecture – A Probabilistic Machine LearningModel for Generative Design using Game Levels Abstractions, in: M. Haeusler, M. A. Schnabel, T. Fukuda (Eds.), Intelligent & Informed – Proceedings of the 24th CAADRIA Conference – Volume 2, Victoria 543 University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand, 15-18 April 2019, Pp. 421-430.

Savić, S., Magarshack, L., Huang, J., (2018), “Landscape of connectivity. Measuring and representing fluctuations in wireless network traffic in space,” In: Automation in Construction, Volume 89, 2018. P. 275-291.

Huang, J., Ortner, P., Doumpioti, C., (2018), Xixinan: Rural Return, Lausanne: MxD Books.

Koh, I., Keel, P., Huang, J. (2017), Decoding Parametric Design Data: Towards a Heterogeneous Design Search Space Remix in CAADRIA 2017

Huang, J. and Viray, E. (2017), Forming/Unforming, Singapore: SUTD Books.

Lim, J., and Huang, J., (2017), Algorithmic Upcycling Offcuts, in Proceedings of the 12th CAADRIA International Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia

Huang, J., Ortner, P. (2017), Singapore Prototypologies, Lausanne: MxD Books.

Koh, I., Keel, P., Huang, J. (2016), Decoding Parametric Design Data: Towards a Heterogeneous Design Search Space Remix in Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia 

Koh, I., Huang, J. (2016), Design Decoder, in Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Design Computing and Cognition DCC'16 (Poster section)

Huang, J. (2015), Growth Typologies, Localities and Defamiliarisation: Experiments with Artificial Urbanism in Sichuan, Guangzhou and Beijing. Archit Design, 85: 70-75. doi: 10.1002/ad.1980
 
Meagher, M., Huang, J., Zuelzke, N., Patt, T., Labelle, G. and Nembrini, J. (2015) Code and its image: the functions of text and visualisation in a code-based design studio. Digital Creativity, 26 (2). 92 - 109. ISSN 1462-6268
 
Shih-Yuan Wang, Yu-Ting Sheng, Alex Barchiesi, Jeffrey Huang, (2015), Transient Materialization, In: Adaptive Architecture and Programmable Matter Symposium: Next Generation Building Skins and Systems from Nano to Macro, MRS Proceedings, Volume 1800, 2015, Cambridge University Press. 
 
Huang, J., and Waldvogel, M., (2014) "Pabellones experimentales. Lausanne, Suiza: Convergeo." AV proyectos 57: 20-21
 
Savic, S., and Huang, J., (2014) “Research Through Design: What Does it Mean for a Design Artifact to be Developed in the Scientific Context? A Matter of Design,” in Proceedings of the 5th STS Italian Conference,STS Italia Publishing, December 2014 
 
Patt, T., & Huang, J. (2014), Scenario modeling for agonistic urban design, In Proceedings of the Symposium on Simulation for Architecture & Urban Design (p. 18), Society for Computer Simulation International
 
Savic, S., and Huang, J., (2014), “Connect or Not: Exploring Seamless Infrastructures through Out-Bodied Interaction,” in City | Data | Future research symposium, Venice, September 2014
 
Huang, J., Patt, T., and Ortner, P., (2013), "Artificial Morphogenesis: The Guangzhou Tower Delta Studio,” in Landscape Architecture Frontiers, Volume 1, Issue 5 (2013) Pages: (138-149)
 
Meagher, M., van der Maas, D., Abegg, C., Huang, J., (2013) Dynamic Ornament: Architectural Investigation of Responsive Thermochromic Surfaces in Architecture, in International Journal of Architectural Computing, issue 3, volume 11, pp. 301-318
 
Sempere, A., Savic, S., Huang, J., Badura, J. (2013), "Experience Catalysts and Architecture. Towards a New Tradition." In Future Traditions: Rethinking Traditions and Envisioning the Future of Architecture Through the Use of Digital Technologies, 1st eCAADe Regional International Workshop Proceedings, 171-182. eCAADe: Regional Internaional Workshops. Porto, Portugal: University of Porto, 2013. 
 
Savic, S., and Huang, J., (2013), “Emperor's New Architecture: The Spatial Experience of Wireless Communication”, Conference proceedings from the 3rd Annual International Conference on Architecture, 10-13 June 2013, Athens, Greece.
 
Zuelzke, N., Patt, T., and J. Huang, (2012) “Computation as an Ideological Practice,” in Digital Aptitudes, Proceedings of ACSA, Boston, Massachusetts, 2012
 
Knoche, H., Huang, J. (2012) Text is not the Enemy - How illiterate people use their mobile phones, NUI workshop at CHI'12
 
Friscira, E., Knoche, H., Huang, J. (2012) Getting in touch with text: Designing an application for illiterates to harness SMS, in proceedings of ACM DEV 2012, 2nd Annual Symposium on Computing for Development, Atlanta, GA, USA
 
Lew, M., Knoche, H., Huang, J. (2011) Rousseau 2012: Designing a historical location-based mobile cinematic game, ACE workshop on New Narrative frontiers: Alternate Reality Games, Lisbon, Portugal
 
Knoche, H., Sheshagiri Rao, P.R., Huang, J. (2011) Human Centered Design for Development, in International Journal of Mobile Human Computer Interaction, 3(3), July-September, pp. 1-13
 
L. Bindschaedler, Knoche, H., Huang, J. (2011) Making Mobile Augmented Reality A Reality, in Proceedings of the First Mobile Augmented Reality workshop at mobile HCI 2011, Stockholm, Sweden
 
Knoche, H., Sheshagiri Rao, P.R., Huang, J. (2011) Human Centered Design for Development, to appear in International Journal of Mobile HCI
 
Costanza, E., Giaccone, M., Küng, O., Shelley, S., Huang, J. (2010) "Ubicomp to the Masses: A Large-scale Study of Two Tangible Interfaces for Download", in Proceedings Ubicomp 2010, September 2010, Copenhagen, Denmark.
 
Knoche, H., Sheshagiri Rao, P.R., Huang, J. (2010) The missing H in ICTD: Lessons learned from the development of an agricultural decision support tool, in Proceedings of Mobile HCI and Technical ICTD: A Methodological Perspective Workshop, Lisbon, Portugal
 
S. Flaxman, J. Huang, J. Stephenson, and X. Comtesse. (2010), “CityRank: a dynamic tool for exploring and generating new indices of cities.” Information Design Journal. 17:3, January 2010.
 
Costanza E., Huang J.,(2009) "Designable Visual Markers" in ACM CHI2009, April 2009, Boston, MA, USA. Nominated for Best Paper Award.
 
Meagher, M., Van der Maas, D., Abegg, C., and Huang, J., (2009),"Dynamic ornament: Climatically responsive surfaces in architectural design" in Proceedings of the 13th International CAAD Futures 09 Conference.
 
LaBelle, G, Nembrini, J, Huang, J., (2009), Programming framework for architectural design ANAR : Object oriented geometry" in Proceedings of the 12th International CAAD Futures Conference. Winner of Best Presentation Award.
 
Nembrini, J, LaBelle, G, Meagher, M, Zuelzke, N, and Huang, J: (2009), "Source studio:teaching programming for architectural design," Poster in CAAD Futures 2009.
 
Huang, J., Cherubini, M., Nova, N., and Dillenbourg, P., (2009) "Why Would Furniture Be Relevant for Collaborative Learning?" in P. Dillenbourg, J. Huang, and M. Cherubini, (eds.) Collaborative Artefacts and Interactive Furniture. CSCL Book Series. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
 
Dillenbourg, P., Huang, J., and Cherubini, M., editors. (2009) Collaborative Artefacts and Interactive Furniture. CSCL Book Series. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
 
Huang, J., and Waldvogel, M. (2008) "Interactive Spaces," in Adams, R, Gibson, S and Arisona, S. M. (eds.), Communications in Computer and Information Science: Transdisciplinary Digital Art. Sound, Vision and the New Screen, Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg
 
LaBelle, G, Nembrini, J, Huang, J., (2008), Simulation-Driven Design System [Phototropic Architecture], In eCAADe 2008 “architecture in computro”, page 469, Antwerp
 
Meagher, M., Huang, J., Gerber, D., (2007), "Revisiting the Open Plan: Ceilings and Furniture as Display Surfaces for Building Information," in 11th International Conference on Information Visualisation, IV 2007, 2-6 July 2007: 601-606
 
Burkhard, R.; Andrienko, G., Andrienko, N.; Dykes, J., Koutamanis, A., Kienreich, W., Phaal, R., Blackwell, A., Eppler, M., Huang, J., Meagher, M., Grün, A., Lang, S., Perrin, D., Weber, W., Vande Moere, A., Herr, B., Börner, K.., Fekete, J.-D. and Brodbeck, D. (2007), "Visualization Summit 2007: Ten Research Goals for 2010", Information Visualization, Volume 6, Number 3, 25 October 2007 , pp. 169-188(20), Palgrave Macmillan. 
 
Huang, J., and Waldvogel, M., (2006), “Open City," in Chatelet V. (editor), Interactive Cities, Editions HYX, Paris
 
Sun, X., Chiu, P., Huang, J., Back, M., Polak, W. (2006), Implicit Brushing and Target Snapping: Data Exploration and Sense-making on Large Displays, Proceedings of Advanced Visual Interfaces ¬ AVI2006, A. Celentano (ed.), Gallipoli (Venice), Italy, ACM Press.
 
Huang, J., (2006) “Inhabitable Interfaces,” in Messaris, P., and Humphrey, L, (eds.) Digital Media: Transformations in Human Communication, New York, Peter Lang
 
Liu, Q., Kimber, D., Zhao, F., and Huang, J., “Framework for effective use of multiple displays,” (2005) Proceedings of SPIE International Symposium ITCom 2005 on Multimedia Systems and Applications VIII, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, October 2005
 
Huang, J., and Waldvogel, M., (2005), “Interactive Wallpaper,” in SIGGRAPH Electronic Arts and Animation Catalog (EAAC), SIGGRAPH 2005, Los Angeles. 
 
Meagher, M., Bielaczyc, B., and Huang, J., (2005), OpenD: Supporting Parallel Development of Digital Designs. Proceedings of ACM Design of User Experience Conference, DUX 2005, San Francisco, November 2005.
 
Huang, J., (2005), “Smart Offices,” Book chapter in Chiu, M.L., (ed.), Toward a Smart Environment, Taipei, Garden City Publishing. 
 
Huang, J., and Srinivasan, R., (2004), “Fluid Ontologies for Digital Museums,” Journal for Digital Libraries, Springer Verlag, Vol 4, No.2 

Research Projects

Blue City Project (Role: PI. Funded by Innosuisse Flagship Grant, in collaboration with ETHZ, SUPSI, HES-SOand 9 industry partners)

Generative Design (Role: PI. Funded by Innosuisse, in collaboration with Popety SA).

Artificial Design (Role: PI. Funded by the MIT-SUTD International Design Center, in collaboration with MITCSAIL, Artificial Intelligence Lab, Prof. Patrick Winston)

Algorithmic Urbanism (Role: PI. Ffunded by SUTD), in collaboration with Dr. Paul Keel, MIT CSAIL. 
SINLAB/Towards an Alliance between the Performing Arts and Sciences (Role: PI. Funded by NSF Sinergia).
 
Superstudio: Innovating the Digital Design Studio (Funded by the Swiss Cooperation in Architecture Program/CRUS. Role: Main Applicant and Principal Investigator)
 
Phototropism in Architecture: Architectural Design as Artificial Morphogenetic Process, (Funded by Swiss National Science Foundation. Role: Main Applicant and Principal Investigator, with Dr. Julien Nembrini)
 
CityRank: Methods and tools for exploring and generating novel indices of cities, in collaboration with Avenir Suisse (Research funded by the Fondation pour Geneve, EPFL. Role: Principal Investigator). 
 
Home 2.0: Platform for designing, prototyping and testing smart domestic technologies and systems (Research funded by Presence Suisse, Swissnex)
 
Interactive City: Research studio examining the effects of digitalization on architectural typologies and contemporary cities (Research funded by BCV)