GUEST LECTURE: VALENTINA SUMINI Researcher at MIT Media Lab Research Affiliate & Space Architect Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States MIT Media Lab, Responsive Environments and Space Exploration Initiative ¿ Research on AI-enabled Self-Reliant Design, Construction, and Operations of Adaptable Deep Space Habitats. ¿ La Biennale di Venezia 2024 – Art with an artistic installation of an Aerospace Gondola project. ¿ Cité des sciences et de l’industrie in Paris permanent exhibition of the Moon Village project by ESA, SOM and MIT. ¿ La Biennale di Venezia 2021 – Architecture with the Moon Village project by ESA, SOM and MIT. ¿ MAXXI Technoscape exhibition – SpaceSuits at Human Scale ¿ Design, Fabrication and Testing of Wearable Soft Robotics devices, SpaceHuman 2.0, in the research field of “Supernumerary Robotic Limbs”, through Zero G flights. ¿ Design of the Marsboreal Greenhouse B.E.A.V.E.R. (NASA Big Idea Challenge 2019 award winning) in collaboration with Alta Scuola Politecnica POLITO-POLIMI. The research explores a novel design for an autonomous greenhouse module that can supply 100% of the food required for a crew of four astronauts on an extended mission to Mars, while also providing physical and mental health benefits for the crew members. ¿ Design, Fabrication and Testing of Tidmarsh Living Observatory Portal in collaboration with NASA TRISH and Steelcase. This pavilion is dedicated to a full-immersion multi-sensory experience that includes visuals, scents, sounds and tactile experiences to reconnect the visitor in real-time with nature. This project is intended to reduce and mitigate the psychological negative effects of astronauts induced by isolation and confinement in extreme environment. ¿ Design, Fabrication and Testing of Space-Resilient R&D Specialist COESIA Engineering Center COESIA HQ, Bologna, Italy COESIA Engineering Center ¿ R&D Specialist in Innovation, Advanced Robotics, Sustainability ¿ Developing engineered solutions for Innovation, Sustainability, Robotics, Computational Design, Multi-physics simulations, Augmented, Virtual and Extended Reality (AR/VR/XR), Energy storage systems, Space Food Production and Packaging. ¿ 2021-2022 Coordinating the COESIA Innovation Hub that aimed at investigating new research activities, team building, looking to produce high technological impacts within a cross-disciplinary collaborative environment. This Ph.D. course offers an advanced exploration of Space Architecture as a deeply interdisciplinary domain, bringing together space sciences, aerospace engineering, robotics, industrial design, architecture, ergonomics, medicine, psychology, and the arts. Doctoral researchers engage with complex design challenges centered on sustainable settlements on the Moon and Mars, reflecting the strategic expansion of human presence beyond Earth. The course promotes a systemic and cross-scalar approach, emphasizing the interdependence of technological, environmental, and human-centered variables in extreme extraterrestrial contexts. Computational design is framed not merely as a toolset, but as an adaptive research methodology. Students develop parametric and algorithmic models capable of integrating environmental constraints (radiation, reduced gravity, regolith mechanics, thermal cycles) with human performance requirements and autonomous construction logics. A central component of the course is the integration of Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models (LLMs) within the computational design workflow. AI-driven generative strategies support early-stage concept formation, scenario development, and systems integration. LLMs are employed as cognitive co-design agents, assisting in the synthesis of multidisciplinary knowledge, translating mission requirements into spatial and structural parameters, and enabling iterative dialogue between qualitative design intent and quantitative performance criteria. Machine learning models are also introduced for performance prediction, data-driven optimization, and pattern recognition within large environmental and structural datasets. Students apply multi-objective and topology optimization techniques enhanced by AI-based surrogate modeling, allowing rapid exploration of high-dimensional design spaces. These methods support the development of habitat systems that respond simultaneously to structural efficiency, radiation shielding, life-support integration, robotic assembly constraints, and in situ resource utilization (ISRU). The course further integrates co-design processes in Extended Reality (XR) and mixed reality environments. Immersive simulations enable students to experience spatial, perceptual, and operational aspects of extraterrestrial habitats in real time. By merging computational design, AI-driven generative systems, XR-based immersion, and autonomous construction logics, the course establishes a forward-looking pedagogical framework. It prepares doctoral researchers to operate at the intersection of architecture, intelligent systems, and space exploration — equipping them to shape resilient, adaptive, and sustainable human settlements beyond Earth.

-Intellectual curiosity and openness toward experimenting with emerging computational tools and novel design environments. -Basic knowledge of parametric modeling, preferably in Rhino/Grasshopper. -Foundational understanding of structural design principles is recommended.

1. Interdisciplinary Foundations of Space Architecture Space Architecture as a convergence of aerospace engineering, robotics, architecture, human sciences, and the arts. Strategic frameworks for sustainable lunar and Martian settlements. 2. Systemic and Computational Design Methodologies Parametric and algorithmic modeling across scales. Integration of environmental constraints, human performance, and autonomous construction logics within performance-driven design processes. 3. Artificial Intelligence and LLMs in Generative Design AI-driven generative strategies for concept formation and systems integration. LLMs as cognitive co-design agents translating mission requirements into spatial parameters. 4. Optimization and ISRU-Based Habitat Systems Multi-objective and topology optimization enhanced by AI-based surrogate models. Design strategies integrating structural efficiency, radiation shielding, life-support systems, robotic assembly, and in situ resource utilization (ISRU). 5. XR-Enabled Immersive Co-Design Extended and mixed reality platforms for real-time spatial simulation, behavioral analysis, and experiential validation of extraterrestrial habitats. 6. Intelligent and Adaptive Extraterrestrial Settlements Integration of computational design, AI, XR, and autonomous systems toward resilient, adaptive, and sustainable human habitats beyond Earth.

In presenza

Presentazione orale

P.D.2-2 - Marzo

Course schedule: March 13 - Hours: 1pm-6pm CET March 14 - Hours: 9:30am-2:30pm CET March 20 - Hours: 1pm-6pm CET March 21 - Hours: 9:30am-2:30pm CET April 17 - Hours: 1pm-6pm CET April 18 - Hours: 9:30am-2:30pm CET Contact: valentina.sumini@polito.it; amedeo.manuellobertetto@polito.it