Professor Des Fagan

Professor of Computational Architecture

Additional Information

Head of Architecture at Lancaster, my field of research interest is in Optimisation and Deep Learning (Artificial Intelligence) for Decision Support Systems in design. I am 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 my current role as Chair of the National Practice and Policy at the RIBA, I oversee 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. My roles in the field of AI and Architecture includemember 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 I lead 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, I 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.

I am 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. I have 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.

AI:Lab: Artificial Intelligence in Low Carbon Building - AHRC/EPSRC IAA Funded Research
10/01/2024 → 10/01/2025
Research

Morecambe Bay Curriculum
09/01/2024 → 05/07/2024
Consultancy

AI for Schools of Architecture - Chair of Working Group - SCHOSA
10/10/2023 → 11/11/2024
Research

AI and Data Expert Advisory Group - Chair at RIBA
03/01/2023 → 09/07/2024
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

Chair of RIBA Student Awards Prize 2024
Expert Opinion

Expert In Residence at the Alan Turing Institute, London
Influence on Policy, Practice, Patients & the Public

Design Council (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel

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)

Deans Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Experience
Prize (including medals and awards)

  • Evaluation
  • School of Architecture
  • Space & Place