“Imagining Architectures for a Warming World” is a 20-hour hands-on workshop that invites participants to explore the speculative potential of artificial intelligence applied to urban imagination in times of climate emergency. Using ComfyUI (Stable Diffusion) software, participants will learn to manipulate urban images to design visual interventions that critically respond to scenarios of risk, injustice, and collapse, but also imagine sustainable, regenerative, and desirable futures.
The workshop seeks to broaden participants' imaginative range by proposing the creation of both utopian and dystopian visual compositions, articulating visual narratives that critically and creatively reflect on the climate crisis. AI is understood here as a tool for aesthetic and political mediation, capable of challenging the relationship between representation and action in the urban context.
Divided into five modules—introduction, two production sessions, finalization, and exhibition—the workshop combines theory, practice, and collective creation. The final product will be a public exhibition at the Biennial, composed of projected images. The proposal aligns with the curatorial axes of the 14th BIAsp by addressing climate justice, urban adaptation, and symbolic reforestation of cities.
Open to students, architects, urban planners, artists, and other interested parties, the activity will have up to 20 participants, selected based on a letter of intent and portfolio. Each participant must bring their own laptop capable of running ComfyUI or using a cloud service (such as RunPod). The workshop will provide installation tutorials and prior guidance. The Biennial will provide internet infrastructure, tables, chairs, and a projector.
The workshop is free, subject to registration and selection process.
The final product will be a collective installation open to the public in the Biennial space.
Vacancies: 10
Free
About the proponents:
Victor Sardenberg is an architect and researcher focused on experimentation in architectural design, particularly in the areas of computational aesthetics, robotic fabrication, and artificial intelligence. In his doctoral thesis at Leibniz University Hannover (Germany), he developed a computational framework for predicting aesthetic preferences using artificial neural networks. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Mackenzie Presbyterian University and a professor at Detmolder Schule für Gestaltung (Germany).
Camila Zyngier is an architect and urban planner, professor at UFMG, and researcher in the areas of urban planning, geotechnologies, and participatory methodologies. Her work combines academic practice and creative criticism, exploring topics such as urban visualization and artificial intelligence in urban planning.
Marcella Carone is an architect, computational designer, and professor. With a Master's degree from AA (MSc EmTech) and a bachelor's degree from Mackenzie University, she has over a decade of experience in multi-scale projects. She works with feasibility, algorithmic design, AI, optimization, and digital fabrication. She is the creative director of M3C1, a firm that investigates the intersections of architecture, urbanism, design, and technology. She teaches in the graduate program at Mackenzie University, in addition to leading workshops on AI and computational design.
Structure
Module 1: Introduction and Contextualization (9/15 – 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm – Online) Presentation of the 14th BIAsp and its theme Examples of images and interventions with AI Installation and introduction to ComfyUI
Module 2: Production I – Desirable Interventions (September 19 – 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM – In-person) Representing climate risks and injustices (dystopias, collapses, resistance)
Module 3: Production II – Warning Scenarios (September 20th – 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM – In-person) Reimagining the city with a focus on positive solutions (climate utopias)
Module 4: Finalizing Images and Printing (9/21 – 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM – In-person) Curating the images produced Preparing files for printing/exhibition
Module 5: Exhibition of Results: Collective installation at BIAsp (projection and/or printing). Open discussion with the audience and participants. Organization of the Final Product: display of the generated images, printed or projected on the wall. The workshop concludes with an exhibition open to the public.
Registration:
Registrations must be made by email: vsardenberg@gmail.com
Selection will be made after analysis of the material sent in the application.
Documents to be submitted upon registration:
- Full name
- Contact email and phone number
- City of residence
- Letter of intent (approximately 3 paragraphs)
- Up to 3 images of previous work that help demonstrate the candidate's creative and/or technical profile (can be included in the PDF or sent separately)
Selection criteria:
- Participants will be selected based on the letter of intent and work examples submitted, considering:
- Clarity and depth of interest in the workshop topic
- Quality and coherence of the images presented
- Diversity of profiles and areas of activity among those selected
Deadline for registration:
- Registration will be open until September 13, 2025.
- The result will be announced by email by September 14, 2025.
Other information:
- Participants must bring their own laptops capable of running ComfyUI, or bring a simpler laptop and pay for the use of a cloud service (such as RunPod, approx. 10 USD).
- A tutorial with installation and preparation instructions will be sent in advance to those selected.