Dr Alejandro Veliz Reyes
Profiles

Dr Alejandro Veliz Reyes

Associate Head of School - Knowledge Exchange

School of Art, Design and Architecture (Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business)

Biography

Biography

I help marginalised communities engage with technology and co-create innovations that work for them, and the places where they live. Through co-design and inclusive methodologies, I have injected innovation in areas such as social housing, health technology, and modern methods of construction in partnership with end users and researchers in areas such as robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence.

My multidisciplinary background has allowed me to participate in multiple R&D initiatives in excess of £7m of grant value, including research and innovation funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) (AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC, Research England), government services, (Forestry Commission, Office for Students) and professional bodies (EPSON Robotic Solutions, Chartered Institute of Building).

Along with my research roles, I am an Associate Professor in Digital Design (Architecture) and Associate Head of School for Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise at the School of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Plymouth. I supervise doctoral candidates in multiple areas of digital design and innovation, including Architecture, Digital Arts, and Arts and Media. Their projects investigate the value of digital design and innovation to social and creative settings, and follow action research and participatory approaches in areas such as healthcare, nature-based solutions, and community economies.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Architecture - 2016 (University of Liverpool).
  • PGCert in Academic Practice - 2015 (University of Plymouth).
  • Registered Architect - 2007 (USM, Chile). 
  • BSc Architecture - 2006 (USM, Chile).
Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

I lead the MA Architectural Design programme, and I am a visiting academic at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. My teaching focuses on tackling real-world industrial challenges through innovation that considers and includes end users, communities and places on its design and implementation. To achieve this, I work closely with our Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Labs. 
In previous roles I have developed programmes and design studios in Architecture degrees internationally, and supervised more than 100+ undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations in Architecture (Part I and II), Quantity Surveying, Construction Project Management, Architectural Technology, Smart Urban Futures, and Architectural Design degrees.
Research

Research

Research interests

I am passionate about inclusive approaches to digital architectural technologies, and multidisciplinary research. To date, I have engaged with multiple disciplines (computer science and robotics, design research, material studies, architectural design, and design theory research) and audiences through projects supported by industry, academia and professional bodies. For example, I lead the only UK-based research team awarded by EPSON Robotic Solutions (Germany) to investigate creative applications of high precision robotic manufacturing technology, and my recent Automation Fellowship (South West Creative Technology Network, Research England) allowed me to explore creative opportunities of robotic 3D printing, leading the in-house development of fabrication strategies for creative material studies. This work has led to recent visiting roles in Chile (2019-21), and guest lectures in Italy, India, Chile, and Costa Rica. My research has been published in journals such as Architectural Science Review and Automation in Construction.
I am interested on supervising doctoral research on digital architectural design, design innovation for health interventions, creative and inclusive innovation, and digital fabrication in the creative sector. My current PhD students include:
Zahra Tehrani, PhD Architecture: Nature-inspired solutions in parametric architectural design (Director of Studies)
Alexandra Carr, PhD Digital Arts and Technology: Participatory design and design interaction (Director of Studies)
Mathew Holmes, PhD Digital Arts and Technology: Remediation of hyperlocal heritage practices with digital fabrication techniques (Director of Studies)
Mohammad Al-Haj Baddar, PhD Architecture: A criticism of the profile of the architecture of Jordan: The stakeholders, the processes, the outcomes (2nd supervisor).

Research degrees awarded to supervised students

Ricky Burke (completed), PhD Arts and Media: Digital design for dementia.

Grants & contracts

Architectural Production and Automation

Digital Health Innovation

Publications

Publications

Journals
  • Bradwell, H.L., Cooper, L., Edwards, K.J., Baxter, R., Tomaz, S., Ritchie, J., Gaudl, S., Veliz Reyes, A., Ryde, G., Krizaj, T., Warren, A., Chatterjee, A., Willis, K., Haynes, R., Hennessy, C., Whittaker, A.C., Asthana, S., and Jones, R.B. on behalf of the GOALD project, 2023. Perceptions of staff towards a virtual reality motivational omnidirectional treadmill exercise for older adult care home residents: A qualitative feedback study. BMJ Open 13:e073307. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073307.
  • Burke, R., Veliz Reyes, A., 2021. Socio-spatial relationships in design of residential care homes for people living with dementia diagnoses: a grounded theory approach. Architectural Science Review (Special Issue: Architectural Design Science for Dementia). DOI: 10.1080/00038628.2021.1941749.
  • Gomaa, M., Jabi, W., Veliz Reyes, A., Soebarto, V., 2021. 3D printing system for earth-based construction: Case study of cob. Automation in Construction 124 (April 2021): 103577. DOI: 10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103577.
  • Veliz, A., Jabi, W., Gomaa, M., Chatzivasileiadi, A., Ahmed, L., Wardhana, N., 2019. Negotiated matter: A robotic exploration of craft-driven innovation. Architectural Science Review 62(5: Special Issue “Means, Methods, Machines and Making in Architecture''): pp 398-408. DOI: 10.1080/00038628.2019.1651688.
  • Gomaa, M., Carfrae, J., Goodhew, S., Jabi, W., Veliz, A., 2019. Thermal performance exploration of 3D printed cob. Architectural Science Review 62(3): pp 230-237. DOI: 10.1080/00038628.2019.1606776.
  • Veliz, A., 2013. Augmented modelling in the design studio: Augmented pedagogies. Augmented reality, art and technology 3: pp 58-63. 
  • Veliz, A., Fernandoy, J., Serrano, P., 2010. Diseño arquitectónico basado en componentes, un caso de aplicación en infraestructura aislada (Architectural Component-Based Design, a case study on an isolated facility). Austro Ingeniería (2008-2009): pp. 17-25.
  • Veliz, A., Gonzalez, L.F., Barros, L., 2008. Design de componentes construtivos personalizados usando um método de desenho baseado nas restrições (Design of mass-customized constructive components by using a constraint-based design method). Pesquisa em arquitetura e construcao 1(3). DOI: 10.20396/parc.v1i3.8634512.
  • Veliz, A., Gonzalez, L.F., Barros, L., 2008. Transferencia de Tecnología para la producción de vivienda en Chile (Technology transfer for mass housing production in Chile). Cadernos de Pos-Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo 8(1): pp. 1-12.
Conference Papers
  • Holmes, M., Veliz Reyes, A., 2023. Digital hybridities: Theorising the ‘social’ and the ‘local’ of fabrication technology in craft practice. xArch Symposium: Creativity in the age of digital reproduction. 11-12 November 2023, Xi’an Jiaotong - Liverpool University, Suzhou, China. 
  • Veliz Reyes, A., Varga, M., Bradwell, H., Baxter, R., 2023. Unlocking social innovation in XR for Healthcare in coastal communities. 2nd Workshop on XR for Healthcare and Wellbeing - (XR Health) 2023 (IEEE 2023). 25-29 March, Shanghai, China.
  • Jabi, W., Chatzivasileiadi, A., Gomaa, M., Veliz, A., Wardhana, N., 2018. Computing craft: development of a robotically-supported cob 3D printing system. Presented at: Connected Everything Conference 2018 “Manufacturing a Brave New World”. 26-27 June 2018, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
  • Veliz, A., Gomaa, H., Jabi, W., Chatzivasileiadi, A., Wardhana, N., 2018. Computing craft: Early development of a robotically-supported cob 3D printing system. Proceedings of the 36th International Conference on Education and Research on Computer-Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe) 2018: Computing for a better tomorrow. 18-20 September 2018, Lodz, Poland. DOI: 10.52842/conf.ecaade.2018.1.791.
  • Balbo, R., Kocaturk, T., Veliz, A., 2013. Hybrid architecture: Coupling structural understanding and architectural education. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference in Architecture and Structures. 24-26 July 2013, Guimaraes, Portugal. ISBN (e-Book): 9780429159350.
  • Kocaturk, T., Balbo, R., Medjdoub, B., Veliz, A., 2012. An Innovative Approach to Technology Mediated Architectural Design Education - A framework for a web-based Socio-cognitive Ecosystem. Proceedings of the 30th International Conference on Education and Research on Computer-Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe) 2012: Digital Physicality | Physical Digitality. 12-14 September 2012, Prague, Czech Republic. DOI: 10.52842/conf.ecaade.2012.1.055.
  • Veliz, A., Kocaturk, T., Medjdoub, B., Balbo, R., 2012. Dialogues between physical and virtual modelling methods on architectural design. Proceedings of the 30th International Conference on Education and Research on Computer-Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe) 2012: Digital Physicality | Physical Digitality. 12-14 September 2012, Prague, Czech Republic. DOI: 10.52842/conf.ecaade.2012.2.281.
  • Vanossi, A., Veliz, A., Balbo, R., Ciribini, A., 2012. Paths between real and virtual environments within a BIM-based scheme. Proceedings of the 1st UK Academic Conference on Building Information Modelling. 5-7 September 2012, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom. 
  • Veliz, A., Kocaturk, T., Medjdoub, B., 2011. Visual programming of customizable building components: Review of three academic experiences. Proceedings of the 10th International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPGRC 2011), School of the Built Environment, University of Salford. 14-15 September 2011, Manchester, United Kingdom. 
  • Veliz, A., Sills, P., 2011. Digital design of reconstruction proposals in Chile. Proceedings of the 29th International Conference on Education and Research on Computer-Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe) 2011: Respecting Fragile Places. 21-24 September 2011, Ljubljana, Slovenia. 
  • Veliz, A., Medjdoub, B., Kocaturk, T., 2011. Bridging the gap in constraint-based design. Proceedings of the 14th CAAD Futures Conference 2011: Designing together. 4-8 July 2011, Liege, Belgium. 
  • Veliz, A., Gonzalez, L.F., Barros, L., 2008. Transferencia de Tecnología para la producción de componentes constructivos de viviendas chilenas (Technology transfer for constructive components’ mass production in chilean housing). XII Congress of the Iberoamerican Society of Digital Graphics SIGRADI, December 2008. La Habana, Cuba.
Presentations and posters
  • Jabi, W., Veliz, A., Gomaa, M., Chatzivasileiadi, A., Wardhana, N., 2019. Computing craft: development of a robotically-supported 3D printing system for cob structures. Presented at: Connected Everything Conference 2019: Designing a Connected Future. 25-26 June 2019, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Chapters
Exhibitions
  • Virtual heritage for health and wellbeing (2021). Film and presentation at the Futures2021 Research Festival (European Commission), Devonport Markethall, September 2021.
  • Covid-19 micro-commissions program (2020). Exhibition of robotic 3D printed artifacts and digital media with Thomas Duggan Studio. The Box (Plymouth Museum), July 2020.
  • Alchemy in art (2019). Exhibition of robotic 3D printed artifacts with Thomas Duggan Studio. Tate St Ives, October-November 2019.
  • Design studio: Juan Fernandez reconstruction proposals (2010). Exhibition at the XVII National Architecture Biennale “8.8 Reconstrucción” (Chile), September 2010.
Other Publications
  • Veliz, A., Carr, A., 2022. Participatory Housing Manufacturing. Connected Everything Conference 2022: Digital Manufacturing Research Collaboration and Innovation. 18-19 May 2022, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
  • Jabi, W., Veliz, A., Gomaa, M., Chatzivasileiadi, A., Wardhana, N., 2019. Computing craft: development of a robotically-supported 3D printing system for cob structures. Presented at: Connected Everything Conference 2019: Designing a Connected Future. 25-26 June 2019, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
  • Veliz, A., 2013. A multimodal approach to digital architectural design education research. PhD Conference, Manchester Architecture Research Centre, Manchester School of Architecture. 22 November 2013, Manchester, United Kingdom.
  • Veliz, A., 2012. Grounded theory methodology in the context of new design pedagogies. Workshop “When social science meets Lean and BIM”. University of Salford in collaboration with the Center for Research on Activity, Development and Learning of the University of Helsinki. 3-4 December 2012, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Personal

Personal

Additional information

Professional Memberships

Roles on External Bodies

  • Member of Advisory Board, Journal of Art, Design and Communication in Higher Education.
  • Paper reviewer: AI & Society, Advanced Engineering Informatics, Architectural Science Review, Journal of Technology, Architecture and Design.
  • Conference reviewer: Iberoamerican Society on Digital Graphics SIGRADI, European Architectural Envisioning Conference. 

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