In a testimony to the College of Architecture and Design (CoAD), Lawrence Technological University (LTU) will be the site of the 2026 ACADIA International Conference, October 22 – 24, with pre-conference workshops taking place from October 19 – 21. The theme for the international conference is “Humanism Recoded: Reframing Computation and Making through Embodiment and Culture.” ACADIA (Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture) has opened the call for papers through April 19, and for projects and field notes through May 17.
“Humanism Recoded” opens a conversation around design and research strategies that leverage digital technologies, robotics, computation, algorithms, material innovation, and advanced fabrication to humanize our visions for the future. The conference brings together the shared expertise and creative capacity of architects, designers, and technologists to confront these challenges. Subthemes for submissions include Machines that Care; Embodied Codes; Algorithmic Fictions; Humanistic Inquiries; Material Worlds; Eco-Digital Fusion; Collective Intelligence; Digital Commons; Built Grounds; Temporal Layers; Speculative Grounds; and Climate Matters.
The conference and the earlier workshops will take place on the Southfield campus of LTU and in other Detroit-area venues.
CoAD Interim Dean Lilian Crum said, “Hosting ACADIA 2026 brings global leaders in computational design to CoAD and creates an extraordinary learning and research platform for our students, faculty, and partners. Lawrence Tech and CoAD are delighted to catalyze this international exchange of ideas at the forefront of computational design and advanced fabrication.
CoAD faculty members Karl Daubmann, FAIA, FAAR, former Dean of CoAD, Interim Provost, and University Distinguished Professor; Lee-Su Huang; Sara Codarin, PhD; Teng Teng, PhD, who also serves on the board of ACADIA; Gretchen Wilkins, PhD; Masataka Yoshikawa; Quan Thai; and Carla Diana will serve as organizers and scientific committee members at ACADIA 2026.
For more information, visit 2026.ACADIA.org.
