DI Dr.techn., Zeynep Aksöz Balzar, MArch (AA)
Möllwaldplatz 4/29–30, 1040 Vienna
Zeynep Aksöz Balzar is a trained architect, ai specialist, and creative coder. Her work moves between digital systems and embodied experience, using AI, computation and spatial storytelling to explore new ways of interaction, communication and togetherness. Born and raised in Izmir Turkey, she draws from diverse cultural, artistic, and technological influences to shape immersive environments and hybrid ecologies. Zeynep teaches, builds, and codes with curiosity, humor, and a strong belief in the power of playful exchange. In her arts-based research approach, Zeynep explores the intricate dynamics between human, non-human, and trans-human systems with the assistance of AI. Central to her exploration is the investigation of communication interfaces that bridge these entities, leveraging the capabilities of AI. Essential components of her work include architectural principles, the dynamics of physics, sensory systems, and data-driven logics powered by AI. Through this interdisciplinary approach, Zeynep seeks to uncover novel insights and possibilities at the intersection of art, technology, and human interaction. Zeynep is a recognized voice in the intersection of AI, architecture, and urban planning, often sharing her insights through public lectures. Her research spans several key areas: the role of AI in architecture, the challenges of climate change in urban settings, and the potential of data-driven methodologies to offer solutions. Her academic pursuits, including a doctorate from the University of Applied Arts Vienna, a master’s from the Architectural Association London, and another master’s degree from the Technical University of Vienna. Her dedication to innovation and knowledge has earned Zeynep recognition, including the prestigious Research Prize for Architecture from the National Chamber of Architects, Austria. As a former Marie Curie fellow, she continues to embody a commitment to research excellence. Zeynep’s leadership in securing funding for transformative projects is emblematic of her visionary approach. Together with Mark Balzar, she secured FWF PEEK funding for the groundbreaking Project Vibrant Fields, showcasing her prowess in leading multidisciplinary initiatives. Additionally, Zeynep’s collaborative efforts with Nicolaj Kirisits from the Digital Arts department resulted in securing INTRA funding for their innovative project, Morphology of Sound. These achievements underscore Zeynep’s capacity to drive forward innovative research at the forefront of interdisciplinary exploration.
| Type | Title | Details | Link | |
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| Publication | Adaptive Origami: Fabrication of Pneumatic-actuated Adaptive Folding System | Conference Companion Proceedings of CAAD Futures 2025: Catalytic Interfaces Karagozaiym Turganbek, Sebastian Wimmer, Martin Hutter, Alexander Karaivanov, Nicolaj Kirisits and Zeynep Aksöz-Balzar | ||
| Architecture | Diamond Country Club Atzenbrugg | |||
| Publication | Resonant Blech: Emergent Soundscapes Through Human-AI Interaction | Conference Companion Proceedings of CAAD Futures 2025: Catalytic Interfaces Alexander Urban, Moritz Koegel, Lukas Fink Pielsticker, Alexander Karaivanov, Nicolaj Kirisits and Zeynep Aksöz Balzar | ||
| Architecture | Mirror Pavillion |
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| Lecture | AI Beyond Digital at Artificial Architectures Conference at ETSAM Madrid | |||
| Artistic Research | AI in Arts | Grant from BMKOE Austria for Terrapolis Reimagined | ||
| Exhibition | Curator of the Exhibition Becoming Human in Times of Posthumanism | Kuandu Museum of Arts Taipei | ||
| Teaching | Design with AI Based Processes Glitch | |||
| Lecture | Emerging Synergies through Adaptation New Kinds of Interaction, Communication and Conversation through AI Systems at Becoming Human in Times of Post-Humanism | Symposium in Kuandu Museum of Arts at Taipeh | ||
| Exhibition | Exhibition Vibrant Fields at Zentrum Fokus Forschung Vienna |
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| Architecture | IZTECH Canopy | |||
| Lecture | Panelist at AI in Architecture Symposium at TU Wien | In panel with Emanuel Sallinger, Hvorje Bugonovic, Cornelis van Berkel | ||
| Exhibition | Resonant Blech Spatial Installation Noise Sound Art, AI, Dance Performance at die Angewandte Festival Vienna | Together with Nicolaj Kirisits (sound and composition), Alexander Urban (assistant), Lea Karnutsch | ||
| Exhibition | Sonic Fossils Museum of Arts Taipei |
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| Publication | OTTO: A portable Urban Sensing Station to Survey Energetic Footprint of Urban Microclimates, | The 5th Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF 2023) | Link | |
| Publication | Imag(in)e nature: imaging energetic footprint of urban environments through multispectral data acquisition in Architectural Intelligence | Mark Balzar, Zeynep Aksöz Balzar, Galo Moncayo Asan | Link | |
| Lecture | Artificial Realities in the Age of AI lecture at Future of Living with AI | Conference at IMAL + Bozar Brussels | ||
| Lecture | Artificial Narratives Lecture at Creativity in the Age of AI Conference at EKA Talinn | |||
| Lecture | Artificial Narratives Lecture at Madame Architects in Roundtable with Wolf D. Prix | |||
| Exhibition | Change Exhibition Angewandte | |||
| Lecture | Conversational Machines Lecture at Generations Symposium at MAK Vienna | Roundtable with Hani Rashid, Jenny Sabin, Clemens Preisinger | ||
| Lecture | Data Narratives Hearing for Professorship for Data-driven Design FH Münster MSA | |||
| Teaching | Design Studio Morphology of Sound | |||
| Exhibition | Exhibition Morphology of Sound at Zentrum Fokus Forschung Vienna |
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| Lecture | Hearing for Professorship in Robotic onsite Construction Uni Stuttgart Bau2 Institute | |||
| Architecture | MQ Sommerbühne | |||
| Publication | Narrating Urban Data, UXUC Urban Creativity Journal | Mark Balzar, Zeynep Aksöz Balzar | Link | |
| Teaching | Design Studio Design for Assembly Disassembly TU Wien | |||
| Teaching | Design with AI Based Processes Haptic Maps | |||
| Teaching | Design with AI Based Processes Urban Mapping and Sattelite Analysis die Angewandte | |||
| Lecture | Keynote speaker at 22. Österreichischer Klimatag | |||
| Artistic Research | Morphology of Sound | INTRA | ||
| Exhibition | Robots and Drinks Plateau Vienna | |||
| Teaching | Scientific Course Experimental Structural Design Computation Robotic Assembly TU Wien | |||
| Exhibition | Understanding Art & Research, UM Gallery UMPRUM, Prag, Czech Republic | |||
| Publication | Denk- Landschaften im offenen Diskurs des Künstlichen und Natürlichen (Landscape of Thought), Manege 02 | Editor Hannes Mayer | ||
| Teaching | Design Studio Shelter for Experimental Art Lindabrunn TU Wien | |||
| Teaching | Design Studio: Design ICONS ReLoaded at TU Wien | |||
| Teaching | Design Studio: Urban Oasis Biophilic Urban Design | |||
| Teaching | Design with AI-Based Processes University of Applied Arts Vienna | |||
| Teaching | Scientific Course Design with AI Based Processes at die Angewandte | Topic: Europan 15 Developing Adaptive Urban Design Tools with AI | ||
| Teaching | Scientific Course Logic of Structures TU Wien | |||
| Teaching | Theory of AI at IAAC MACAD Master Programme | |||
| Exhibition | Vibrant 01 : Versatility at Vienna Design Week, Vienna , Austria | |||
| Exhibition | Vibrant 02 : Outside In at Bratislava Design Week, Bratislava, Slovakia | |||
| Teaching | Workshop Parametric Urban Design Through AI Processes at Architectural Association London | Emergent Technologies and Design Masters Programme | ||
| Teaching | Workshop “Learning to be a Space Frame” at IAAC MRAC Masters Programme | |||
| Teaching | Design Studio Dynamic Foldables at TU Wien | |||
| Lecture | Master Class Lecture at Architectural Association London | |||
| Lecture | Master Class Lecture at IAAC Barcelona MRAC Program | |||
| Publication | Optimisation of Robotic Printing Paths for Structural Stiffness Using Machine Learning | Fabricate 2020:Making Resilient Architecture | Link | |
| Teaching | Scientific Course Design with AI Based Processes at die Angewandte | |||
| Teaching | Scientific Module Experimental Structural Design Computation TU Wien | |||
| Artistic Research | Vibrant Fields | PEEK FWF | ||
| Lecture | Ambigiuty in the Age of AI, UWE Bristol | |||
| Lecture | Deep Design Space Exploration in Early Design Phase in Living Architecture Systems Group Symposium, Toronto | |||
| Lecture | Paper Presentation: An Interactive Structural Optimization of Space Frame Structures Using Machine Learning | Zeynep Aksöz, Dr. Clemens Preisinger in Design Modelling Symposium Berlin | ||
| Exhibition | Understanding Arts Based Research Exhibition, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA | |||
| Publication | An Interactive Structural Optimization of Space Frame Structures Using Machine Learning | Impact: Design with All Senses | Link | |
| Publication | Information Rich Design Exploration in Early Design Phase | Design Transactions: Rethinking Information Modelling for a New Material Age | Link | |
| Publication | Approximating Climatic Performance with ANNs | ACADIA Conference Proceedings Recalibration on Imprecision and Infidelity | Link | |
| Exhibition | Innochain Practice Features Exhibition, KADK, Copenhagen, Denmark | |||
| Publication | Interactive Multiple Criteria Search for Performance Aware Early Design, Understanding Art & Research, Projects Art & Research | Zeynep Aksöz | ||
| Lecture | Paper Presentation Interactive Design Exploration in Early Design Phase | Zeynep Aksöz, in Innochain Conference, BLOXHUB, Copenhagen | ||
| Exhibition | Smart Geometry 2018 Exhibition, Daniels School of Architecture, Toronto, Canada | |||
| Exhibition | Understanding Arts Based Research Exhibition, New Zealand | |||
| Publication | Interactive Multiple Criteria Search for Performance Aware Early Design Innochain Network Journal 3 | Zeynep Aksöz | ||
| Publication | Multiple Criteria Optimization in Early Design Phase | Zeynep Aksöz | ||
| Teaching | Optimization Workshop for Robotic Clay Printing IaaC Barcelona OTF Programme | |||
| Publication | Cantilevering and Collapsing Through Machine Learning Algorithms, Innochain Journal 1 | Zeynep Aksöz, Giulio Brugnaro, Paul Poinet | ||
| Publication | Façade Panelization Through Geometry Packing, Innochain Journal 1 | |||
| Publication | Modelling Architectural Problems for Artificial Intelligence to Support Human Machine Interaction in Early Design Phase, Innochain Journal 1 | |||
| Publication | Multiple Criteria Optimization in Early Design Phase, Innochain Network Journal | Zeynep Aksöz | ||
| Publication | The Future of Design Thinking, Innochain Journal 1 | Zeynep Aksöz, Dimitrie Stefanescu | ||
| Exhibition | USM Rethinking the Modular Exhibition in Collaboration with Buro Happold and AA Emergent Technologies Students in Salone di Mobile | |||
| Teaching | Course Tutor AA Visiting School Athens | |||
| Teaching | Course Tutor AADLAB | |||
| Exhibition | Fingers Crossed AA Emergent Technologies Pavilion in Birmingham Timber Expo | |||
| Exhibition | Fingers Crossed AA Emergent Technologies Pavilion, London Design Festival AA Projects Review Exhibition | |||
| Exhibition | Add-on 20 Höhenmeter Exhibition, Biennale di Venezia | |||
| Exhibition | Add-On 20 Höhenmeter Wallensteinplatz, Wien |