Biosketch

Tristan Al-Haddad holds a Master of Architecture degree as well as a BS in Architecture from Georgia Tech, also having studied at the University of Paris - La Villette and at the Daniels Center for Building Technology and Urban Design in Genoa, Italy.  As an assistant professor in the School of Architecture, Al-Haddad has helped to lead the College's efforts in appropriating and radicalizing digital technologies for architectural design purposes. Having taught a variety of courses in the area of Design Computing, Digital Fabrication and Architectural Design Studio, his current research and teaching is focused on the continuous exploration of digital technology in the design, representation, analysis, and production of geometrically sophisticated architectures.

Al-Haddad is also a research faculty member in the Digital Building Laboratory [DBL] as well as the Digital Fabrication Laboratory [DFL] where his research is directed in the field of CAD/CAM technologies, Finite Element Analysis, flexible systems of design and construction, parametric design, and materiality. His academic research has been presented in a variety of scholarly publications and online features.  The research has been supported by the Lafarge Corporation and the National Concrete Masonry Association.  Al-Haddad also received a Fulbright Fellowship in 2009 to share his expertise as a visiting faculty member at the Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria in Valparaiso, Chile.

In addition to his academic research Al-Haddad is also a working designer and visual artist. His work has been exhibited in venues including the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, The Boston Center for the Arts, The International Contemporary Furniture Fair, and The AIA’s Center for Architecture in New York as well as being published in print sources including the New York Times, Dwell, Metropolis, Art Papers, and The Atlanta Journal Constitution.  Al-Haddad was one of seven recipients of the ARTADIA Artist Award in 2009 which was juried by several nationally recognized curators and critics.

 

Selected awards:

• Fulbright Visiting Scholar – Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria | Valparaiso, Chile | 2009
• ARTADIA artist award | New York City, Ny | 2009
• Dean’s Faculty Award | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, Ga | 2006

 

Selected publications: 

• Cavieres, Andres, R. Gentry, T. Al-Haddad. (2011) “Knowledge-Based Parametric Tools for Concrete  Masonry Walls: Conceptual Design and Preliminary Structural Analysis”,  Journal of Automation and Construction [forthcoming].
• Al-Haddad, Tristan, R. Gentry, A. Cavieres, M. Carpo. (2010) “Representation + Fabrication: Connecting descriptions and artifacts in the digital age”, Architectural Research Centers Consortium 2010 Conference Proceedings, Washington DC.
• Al-Haddad, Tristan.   Force, Feedback, and Fabrication.  Saarbrücken, [Germany]:  VDM Verlag Dr. Muller, 2009.
• Al-Haddad, Tristan, R. Gentry.  (2006), “Performance: Integrating structural feedback into the design process for complex form-active surfaces,” Digital Architecture and Construction conference proceedings.

Educational Background

• Master of Architecture, Georgia Tech
• B.S., Architecture, Georgia Tech

 

Fields

• Parametric Systems
• Digital Fabrication
• Materiality
• Finite Element Analysis for Conceptual Design

<Research Groups/Labs>

Digital Building Laboratory

Digital Fabrication Laboratory / Advanced Wood Products Laboratory

 

<Selected Exhibitions & Works>

 

>“Cloud Cutting” – Flux Projects

Performance: Lasers, Optics + Clouds

2011  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>“Ruptures in running bond” – Boston Center for the Arts

Artadia Awardee Exhibition

Sculpture: MDF + Polymers

2010  |  Boston, Massachusetts

 

>“Liquid Wall” – AIA Center for Architecture

Architectural Installation: Ultra High-Performance Concrete, Stainless Steel + Glass

Collaboration w/ Peter Arbour, Coreslab Structures, and Lafarge

2010  |  New York, New York

 

>“Botterfold” – Universidad Technica Federico Santa Maria

Sculpture: Aluminium

Collaboration w/ Students

2009  |  Valparaiso, Chile

 

>“Body Park” – Universidad Technica Federico Santa Maria

Sculpture: Wood

Collaboration w/ Students

2009  |  Valparaiso, Chile

 

>‘iCAVE II’ - College of Architecture Centennial - Georgia Institute of Technology

Nylon, Spandex, Polypropylene, Aluminum + Steel

2009  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘Slippage I’ - Art Papers Art Auction                                                                                          Digital Scans + Inkjet Print

2009  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘MSIRP’ - AGA Exhibition

Sculpture: Wood, Rope, Polyester, Aluminium, + Fluorescent Light

Commissioned by:  Alan Avery Gallery

Collaboration w/ Spencer Hudson

2009  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘Virtual Doubling’ - Public Art Commission | Brownwood Park                              

Sculpture: Stainless Steel, Wood, Polycarbonate, + Fluorescent Light

City of Atlanta | Bureau of Cultural Affairs

2008  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘iCAVE’ - Breaking New Ground Exhibition @ Spruill Gallery

Sculpture: PETG, Bubble Wrap, Textiles, Nylon, + Fluorescent Light

2008  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘Patterns + Profiles’ – Objects of Architecture Exhibition

Architectural Fragment: Plastic and Stainless Steel

Collaboration w/ Monica Ponce de Leon, Marco Nicotera, and Maita Rivas

2008  |  Marietta, Georgia

 

>‘Concrete Tapestries’ – Art Papers Art Auction

Sculpture: Portland Cement, Water, and Steel

2008  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘ArchiTales’ – Interactive Art Installation @ Eyedrum Gallery                                       

Temporary Installation: Polycarbonate, PETG, Plywood, Aluminum, Computer + Projector

Collaboration w/ Ali Mazalek, Claudia Winegarden, and student team

2008  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘Space Index’ - Art Papers Art Auction                                                                                                                    

Sculpture: PETG and Steel

2007  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘ThickNest’ - Wandern Exhibition @ Solomon Project Gallery                                                                            

Sculpture: PETG, Steel, and Fluorescent Light

Collaboration w/ Timothy Frank

2007  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘Parametric Modulations in Masonry’ - International Contemporary Furniture Fair                                        

Variable Masonry System in Ultra-High Performance Concrete

2007  |  New York City, New York

 

>‘Mutations’ - Permanent Sculpture for the Kennedy-Krieger Institute [forth-coming]                                       

Sculpture: PETG and Stainless Steel

Collaboration w/ SBS Architects

2007  |  Baltimore, Maryland

 

>‘Space Index’ - High Museum of Art                                                                                                                        

Sculpture: PETG and Steel

2006  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘Topological Deformations’ - The Design of Digital Manufacturing Exhibition                                            

Sculpture: Polycarbonate, Aluminum, and Steel

Collaboration w/ Nader Tehrani and student team

2006  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘Profiles + Patterns’ - The Design of Digital Manufacturing Exhibition                                                            

Architectural Fragment: Plastic, Stainless Steel, and Cement

Collaboration w/ Monica Ponce de Leon, Marco Nicotera, and Maita Rivas

2005  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘The Calculated Force of Nonviolence Required to Manipulate The Fetish of Freedom’                 

Kinetic Sculpture: Wood, Steel, Cement, Granite, Paint, and Feathers

Collaboration w/ Curtis Ames

2005  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

>‘Convergence’ - Video Presentation at The Southern California Institute of Architecture [SCI-Arc]          

Computer Animation and Digital Video

Collaboration w/ Erik Lewitt and Jordan Williams

2004  |  Los Angeles, California

 

>‘What a Fish Sees on His Heavenly Ascent to the Market’ - Fondation Des Etats-Unis                         

Photographic Montages: 36” X 36”

2001  |  Paris, France

 

>‘Intake Process’ - Sculpture Installed at the ‘Art of Recylcing’ Exhibition – Atlanta City Hall                                   

Sculpture: Steel and Iron

1998  |  Atlanta, Georgia

 

 

 

 

 

 

<Competitions>

 

>‘Atmosfera Algoritmica’ - Municipalidad de Valpariaso w/ El Club Union Arabe                       First Place - Unbuilt

Collaboration w/ Pablo Silva

2009  |  Valparaiso, Chile

 

>‘City of The Future’ -  History Channel                                                                                          

Winner of The Infiniti Extraordinary Design Award

Collaboration w/ Georgia Tech Architecture Program Faculty

2008  |  Atlanta, Georgia - USA

 

>‘First Street Sculpture Exhibition’ - Allied Arts of Chattanooga                                                                                                                                                                               

Short-listed for ‘Space Index’ submission

2006  |  Chattanooga, Tennessee - USA

 

>‘Shuffled’ -  Art in Freedom Park                                                                                                                               

Collaboration w/ Curtis Aimes

2006  |  Atlanta, Georgia - USA

 

>‘Loops’ -  Percent for the Arts Sculpture Competition                                                                                          

Collaboration w/ Curtis Aimes

2005  |  Stapleton, Colorado - USA

 

>‘Exposure’ - Kiedler Observatory Competition                                                                                                                

Collaboration w/ Dan Nemec

2005  |  Kiedler, United Kingdom

 

>‘ya-We-taG Wall’ - Beale Street Ferry Terminal Gateway Competition                                                           

2005  |  Memphis, Tennessee - USA

 

>‘The Garden’ - Urban Reserve Housing ‘Competition                                                                Collaboration w/ Stiliani Kastritsos

2005  |  Dallas, Texas - USA

 

>‘Erosions’ - Auction Street Traffic Circle Sculpture Competition                                                                   

2005  |  Memphis, Tennessee - USA

 

>‘Conversations’ - McCormick Museum Sculpture Competition                                                                                

2005  |  Chicago, Illinios - USA

 

>‘Art Infrastructures’ - Chattanooga’s First Street Canopies Competition                                               

Collaboration w/ Daniel Nemec - Finalist

2004  |  Chattanooga, Tennessee - USA

 

>‘Terminal Video’ - Percent for the Arts Installation at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport                                             

Collaboration w/ Invited Participant Sara Hornbocker

2004  |  Atlanta, Georgia - USA

 

>‘Transfers’ - Percent for the Arts Bus Shelter                                                                              

2002  |  Bloomington, Indiana - USA

 

ARCH 6053:  Options III Design Studio

ARCH 6505:  Geometric Constructs in Digital Space