Keynote Speakers

Prof. Henri Achten

Depart of architectural modelling, Czech Technical University in Prague

Professor Henri Achten is a distinguished academic currently teaching at the Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architectural Modeling. He graduated from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands in 1992, where he was the first graduate to use virtual reality to present his work. His supervisors were Professor Thijs Bax and Professor Robert Oxman. After graduation, Henri Achten worked as a postdoctoral researcher at TU/e, becoming a member of the new design systems group led by Professor Bauke de Vries. Before 2010, he served as an assistant professor in the field of design theory and computation. In 2005, he joined the Faculty of Architecture at CTU as an assistant professor, leading the MOLAB research project and heading the Achten-Pavlicek and Achten-Nováková design studios. In 2012, he co-organized the 30th International eCAADe Conference in Prague with Dana Matějovská. Henri Achten has also served as the Vice President and President of the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE). From 2001 to 2009, he was involved with the European Computer Aided Architectural Design (eCAADe) research and currently holds the position of Treasurer for the association. His prolific contributions to the field include publishing 12 books and proceedings, 18 journal articles, and 105 conference papers. He has delivered 30 lectures both internationally and in the Czech Republic, with notable keynote speeches in Beijing, China, and Białystok, Poland.

LINK: https://www.fa.cvut.cz/en/faculty/people/289-henri-hubertus-achten/zivotopis

Prof. Marina Stankovic

Chair of architecture, interior and product design, the University of Applied Sciences HTWK in Leipzig, Germany

Prof. Marina Stankovic is a highly respected academic and practitioner in the field of architecture, interior, and product design. She is the Chair of Architecture, Interior, and Product Design at the University of Applied Sciences HTWK in Leipzig, Germany. She studied at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Toronto, Canada, from 1978 to 1983. Following her graduation, she collaborated with Aurelio Galfetti in Ticino, Switzerland, from 1983 to 1985. In 1985, she established her own practice in Toronto, Canada, and subsequently founded her office in Berlin in 1986. She became a member of the Berlin Chamber of Architects in 1988. Since 1996, she has been involved in various teaching activities at architectural schools in Germany and internationally. In 2001-2002, she was a Loeb Fellow at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Since 2005, she has been a professor at HTWK Leipzig, teaching courses in interior planning, interior design, product design, environmental design, lighting planning, and light in architecture. Prof. Stankovic has over 20 years of experience in architecture, specializing in creative design in interior design, architecture, and urban planning. She has lived and worked in Canada, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, and Germany. Her expertise focuses on spatial and social contexts, innovative sustainable project solutions, and client-oriented project planning and coordination. Her work has been widely exhibited and published. She has received numerous awards, including the Korean Architectural Award for the Nam June Paik Museum project in Seoul, South Korea, and various other accolades for her architectural projects.

LINK: https://architectuul.com/architect/marina-stankovic-architekten

村田智明 Chiaki Murata

Current Positions
- Managing Director of Hers Design Inc.
- Managing Director of METAPHYS
- Guest Professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design
- Guest Professor at Kobe Design University
- Visiting Lecturer at Kyushu University
- Head of Hers Experimental Design Laboratory Co., Ltd. / METAPHYS

Chiaki Murata is an esteemed designer and academic, currently serving as the Managing Director of Hers Design Inc. and METAPHYS. He also holds positions as a guest professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design, Kobe Design University, and a visiting lecturer at Kyushu University. Born in 1959 in Minato City, Tottori Prefecture, Japan, Murata graduated from Osaka City University in 1982 with a degree in Applied Physics. He began his career at the Design Center of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. In 1986, Murata founded Hers Experimental Design Laboratory, focusing on product-centered design activities. Over his illustrious career, he has received more than 150 awards, both domestically and internationally, including the Japan G-Mark Gold Award, DFA Grand Award, Red Dot Design Award Best of the Best, German Design Award Winner, and the iF Design Gold Award. His notable projects include METAPHYS patis, GIGA QUAD, Medidea Div Booth ‘feel,’ and iiza “Japanese Design Knife Series,” among others. Murata's extensive experience in product design emphasizes creating innovative and sustainable solutions. His work spans multiple countries, including Japan, Germany, and the broader Asia region. Known for his conceptual depth, functional excellence, and aesthetic appeal, Murata’s projects have consistently earned global recognition. His ongoing commitment to education and practice ensures the continuous evolution and impact of his design legacy.

LINK: https://www.hers.co.jp/works_cate/design-division