The Digital Fabrication Lab (DFL) participated in the 43rd International Conference of eCAADe (Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe), held from September 2–5, 2025, at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey. Organized by Prof. Dr. Arzuy Gonenç Sorguç and her team, this year’s edition, under the theme “Confluence”, attracted participants from 34 countries.
Representing the DFL, Pedro de Azambuja Varela presented the paper “From stereotomy to subdivisions: crafting a BIM tool for discrete elements design”, exploring the integration of stereotomy and digital design tools.
José Pedro Sousa, DFL coordinator, in co-authorship with Heitor Alvelos, contributed to the presentation of PhD student Tianyu Han’s research “Bringing Tradition to Life. Phygital reconstruction and experience of ancient Chinese Theatre opera stage”. He also served as a critic in the PhD Workshop on September 2 and chaired session S7-2: Digital twins, urban analyticals and environmental performance, dedicated to the role of digital technologies in the study and assessment of urban environments.
During the conference, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of eCAADe approved updates to the association’s statutes and elected José Pedro Sousa as Vice-President for the next two years, strengthening DFL’s role in the international leadership of the community.
Beyond the scientific program, eCAADe 2025 fostered a vibrant exchange among academics, researchers, and professionals worldwide under the theme “Confluence”. The event combined high-level debate with a rich social program, including guided tours of the METU campus — a landmark of modernist architecture — and visits to emblematic sites in Ankara.
The eCAADe (Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe) is one of the leading international platforms for research, education, and knowledge exchange on the intersections of architecture and digital technologies. Next year’s edition will be hosted by the University of Lübeck in Germany.
