Alvaro LRDesign
Alvaro Lopez Rodriguez, Phd
@alvarolrd
alvarolopezrodriguezdesign@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/alvaro-lopez-559286106
Alvaro Lopez Rodriguez is an architect, researcher, and Associate Professor (Teaching) at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, where he leads innovation at the intersection of robotics, 3D printing, and mixed reality. In October 2025, he completed his PhD at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid with the thesis "Digital Interactions: Architecture for the Augmented Era," which redefines the synergy between human craftsmanship and digital automation. He also holds a Master of Architecture with Distinction from The Bartlett and a Master’s in Architecture from the European University of Madrid.
Complementing his academic tenure, Alvaro is a highly sought-after Digital Manufacturing Consultant. He has collaborated with pioneering international firms, including Nagami, Ensamble Studio, and DBT ETH Zurich, to implement advanced robotic fabrication and augmented reality workflows in large-scale architectural projects. His expertise bridges the gap between computational design and physical construction, focusing on "Augmented Craftsmanship" to empower local labour through intuitive technological tools.
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CV
RC9
THE BARTLETT SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, 2017-2023
DPL+AAVS+SDlab
Alvaro Lopez Rodríguez
Angel Lara Moreira
Elif Erdine
Milad Showkatbakhsh
Giulio Gianni
Gamze Gündüz
Özgüç Bertuğ Çapunaman
Cemal Koray Bingöl
Benay Gürsoy Toykoç
Aslı Aydın
DESCRIPTION
Operating as collaborative design laboratories, these workshops bridge advanced computational theory with physical material performance through a "learning-by-experimentation" methodology. The research investigates the inherent correlations between geometry, materiality, and structural behaviour, utilising computational design platforms to establish fluid workflows between algorithmic design, structural analysis, and digital fabrication.
A primary focus centres on sustainable innovation, specifically leveraging the precision of robotic 3D printing to upcycle found, discarded, or locally sourced materials into cohesive architectural structures. This approach reduces material waste while demonstrating how advanced technology can drive environmentally conscious construction.
The research workflow follows a systematic two-stage framework: an initial phase dedicated to fabrication analysis and digital tooling, followed by a realisation phase where design interventions are tested via scaled models. This process culminates in the collective fabrication of a 1:1 scale architectural prototype using robotic fabrication techniques.
Enriched by technical dialogue with leading practices—including Foster + Partners, Grimshaw, and Zaha Hadid Architects—the resulting research has been published in peer-reviewed conference papers for SimAUD and eCAADe, as well as prominent media outlets like ArchDaily.
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