Cesar Escalante
The AECO Design Slam at Autodesk University 2024 was an electrifying event that transformed the Expo Hall of the San Diego Convention Center into a vibrant showmanship of creativity and innovation. Held on Tuesday, October 15th, with nearly 100 registered participants plus an extended crowd of EXPO attendees, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, fueled by the energy and the spirit of competition. Sponsored by LENOVO, who generously provided the winning prize, this event was not just about architecture; it was about fun, community, and creativity in a race against the clock.
This year’s theme—“San Diego Aeropolis 2050”—invited teams to envision a sustainable urban future powered by aerial transportation and solar energy. The challenge? To reimagine the iconic local Torrey Pines Golf Course into a futuristic community in just 20 minutes using Autodesk Forma.
The evening kicked off with a lively introduction from our emcee, Jake Storey, who set the stage for the competition, and leaded the event into two parts:
- Conceptual Modeling and Analysis: Teams had 20 minutes to craft their visions using Forma’s intuitive sketching tools or any authoring software of their choice (Revit, Rhino, SketchUp). They were encouraged to explore computational design possibilities using Dynamo or Grasshopper. However, all performance analysis was to be carried out using Autodesk Forma.
- AI Rendering: After a brief intermission, teams dove into another 20-minute challenge where they used Evolve’s Lab Veras, employing natural language prompts to enhance their designs.
Throughout the event, my colleague Zach Kron and I took on the roles of cheer squad rallying support for each team while energizing the audience. The atmosphere was electric as participants showcased their unique ideas. See the final outcomes of the competing teams:
- Team Aerotecture: Kevin Walsh (Architect in Tokyo) and Rotimi Seriki (Teague)
- Team Slam Masters: Craig Barbieri (EwingCole) and Sepideh Emamzadehei (Cuningham)
Attendees were invited to vote for their favorite designs using a QR code making them an integral part in the selection of the winner. As we wrapped up the evening, Team Aerotecture emerged victorious, celebrating their innovative approach to sustainable design.
The 2024 AECO Design Slam was a vibrant celebration of creativity and community, uniting architects, designers, and tech enthusiasts. Its collaborative and innovative spirit set a high bar for future competitions. I can’t wait to see what the 2025 event will have in store!
