Digital Forms

Led by Assistant Professor Mohamed A. Ismail, this exhibition showcases innovative research on low-carbon concrete structures and sustainable formwork design. Concrete construction often prioritizes labor efficiency over material conservation, resulting in high embodied carbon. Through shape optimization and digital fabrication, the Open Structures Research Group at the University of Virginia, directed by Ismail, demonstrates how to create structurally efficient, low-carbon components using accessible materials and workflows.

Explore prototypes, fabrication techniques, and material analyses that reveal the environmental, economic, and social impacts of construction practices. This work bridges academic research and industry, inspiring scalable solutions for sustainable building.