Des Fagan
Head of Architecture (Senior Lecturer in Architecture)Additional Information
Head of Architecture at Lancaster, Des’s field of research interest is in Optimisation and Deep Learning (Artificial Intelligence) for Decision Support Systems in design. He is particularly interested in the impact that Machine Learning will have on design processes and the regulatory and policy implications for the RIBA and ARB.
In his current role as Chair of the National Practice and Policy at the RIBA, Des oversees the development of a programme of policy and public affairs activity, representing over forty thousand UK architects, to affect change in Whitehall, Westminster and beyond. His roles in the field of AI and Architecture includeCo-Chair of the Expert Advisory Group on Data and AI in Practice (RIBA), and Lead of the Working Group on AI in Architectural Education (SCOSA) where he leads a network of industry partners including AutoDesk, Google and OpenAI, to guide the future integration of AI across UK practices and teaching across all 65 Schools of Architecture.
Prior to working in academia, he worked on several international award‐winning projects, including as Project Architect for the London Olympic Village 2012 and for Glasgow Transport Museumat Zaha Hadid Architects, winner of European Museum of the Year 2013.
Des is currently working on a UKRI funded project: AILab: Artificial Intelligence in Low Carbon Building (PI- £20k) with the Eden Project and Grimshaw Architects, to realise the advantages of Machine Learning for low carbon construction of Eden Morecambe. He has published two books ‐ ‘UEM’ which reimagines the future of a sustainably eco‐centric City, and ‘Datascape’ – a collaborative research document which records the data activities and exchanges of a city.
PhD Supervision Interests
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Architecture Machine Learning (ML) for Architectural Design Social and Ethical Role of the Architect Explianability / Interpretability of AI in Architecture and Building Future Regulation of the Architect Decoding A.I for the Architect Parametric Architecture for Design Optimisation Software for Design Bioclimatic / Kinetic Facades Prototyping in Architecture Dataset Bias Architecture
AI:Lab: Artificial Intelligence in Low Carbon Building - AHRC/EPSRC IAA Funded Research
10/01/2024 → 10/01/2025
Research
AI for Schools of Architecture - Chair of Working Group - SCHOSA
10/10/2023 → 11/11/2024
Research
Jury - Architects Journal (AJ) Awards 2022
04/10/2022 → 04/10/2022
Other
IAA - AHRC Impact Acceleration Account
01/04/2022 → 31/03/2026
Research
Sir Terry Farrell Architects Canal Quarter Masterplan
23/04/2021 → 31/05/2021
Consultancy
The Generative Social Distance Lab
01/03/2020 → …
Research
UK PSRB Education Consultancy - Architects Registration Board
11/02/2019 → …
Consultancy
BeyondImagination E3 – Research England – Home and Living Cluster
07/01/2019 → 07/01/2023
Research
Architects Registration Board
01/10/2018 → …
Consultancy
Design Research North
01/03/2016 → 22/05/2018
Research
Roundtable with Sir Chris Bryant - Shadow Minister Digital Creative - Discuss Future of Architecture and Construction sectors under a new government (Event)
Member of Advisory Panel
Treasurer and Council Member - Standing Conference Heads School of Architecture
Types of External academic engagement - Hosting an academic visitor
SCHOSA - Standing Conference Heads of Schools of Architecture (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Report: AI Assessment Guidance For Schools Of Architecture
Other
Eden Project (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Architecture Practice Partnership - Memorandum of Understanding
Other
Report: Computational Design and AI in Practice
Other
LOD 2023 The 9th International Conference on Machine Learning Optimization Data Science (Event)
Membership of committee
FASS Promotions Committee
Other
Construction Innovation Journal (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel
EPSRC College (External organisation)
Member of external research organisation
XAI Explainability for AEC - The Parametric Social Distance Lab
Invited talk
Live Projects – Community Engagement
Other
Royal Institute of British Architects (External organisation)
Membership of committee
TEA Talks
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Generative Social Distance Design
Invited talk
Bonington Leadership Course - Lancaster University
Other
Coventry University
Visiting an external academic institution
ATLAS – HEA – LU Teaching Qualification Reviewer
Other
Architecture Project Executive Committee
Other
Virtual Cities - The Landscape of Gaming - Invited Guest Lecture at Leicester School of Architecture
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Architects Registration Board (External organisation)
Membership of board
SCHOSA - Standing Conference Heads of Schools of Architecture (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Transnational Education Award
Prize (including medals and awards)
NaCSBA House on a Shoestring Competition
Prize (including medals and awards)
Research Innovation Project of the Year
Prize (including medals and awards)
- Evaluation
- School of Architecture
- Space & Place