Architect's Role in Disaster Risk Reduction Series
AIAU26-RADR-B
2 Courses
Course expires on: 08/14/2027
Description
As climate risks intensify and project challenges become more complex, architects are increasingly required to design for resilience in ways that are both actionable and measurable. The first part of this series explores how emerging AI-powered tools, such as Digital Twins and Large Language Models (LLMs), are transforming how practitioners assess risk, test scenarios, and incorporate resilience strategies into their daily workflows.
National Preparedness Month is a reminder that effective disaster response begins long before the storm. The second part of this series explores the proactive role architects can play in developing temporary housing solutions that are ready to deploy when communities need them most.
The conversation also broadens beyond the post-disaster context to examine the intersection of emergency housing and the ongoing housing crisis — including how temporary solutions can sometimes become permanent ones, and how architects can advocate for and support their communities year-round.
Learning Objectives
Evaluate how AI tools can aid in making resilient design decisions during the early phases of a project, including feasibility and scenario analysis.
Apply strategies for effectively prompting AI tools to generate meaningful, reliable outputs that inform design outcomes.
Identify temporary housing design approaches — including modular and adaptable solutions — and evaluate how they can be deployed quickly and effectively in the wake of a disaster.
Describe strategies for building partnerships with universities, local emergency management agencies, and community stakeholders to develop actionable housing response plans before disaster strikes.
Presented in partnership with the Resilience and Disaster Response Committee (RADR).
Karla Saldana Ochoa is a Tenured Track Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Florida and a faculty affiliate at the AI2 Center, the Center of Latin American Studies, and FIBER. She directs the AI in Architecture Graduate Certificate program and oversees the SHARE Lab, a research group focused on developing projects that leverage the interaction between artificial intelligence (AI) and human intelligence, applied to enhance creativity in architectural design and create tools to analyze big data of urban phenomena. At UF, Karla works with Digital Twins (DT), which she defines as intelligent environments, focusing on how this technology is applied across various scales—from buildings to city-wide infrastructure. She collaborates on international projects in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico, and Ecuador. Karla is an Ecuadorian architect and coder with a Master of Advanced Studies in Landscape Architecture and a Ph.D. in Technology in Architecture from ETH Zurich. Her Ph.D. research focused on the integration of Artificial and Human Intelligence to achieve accurate and agile responses to natural disasters, utilizing a multimodal fusion approach for machine learning inference.
Ana is an architect in Tallahassee who researches practices that contribute to lasting housing resilience. Her work is about supporting architects and neighbors in bridging between regulatory systems and lived experience. She is a Ph.D. candidate at the UF Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience (FIBER).
A passionate advocate for the power of design to build sustainable and resilient communities, Aaron’s professional experience includes over 20 years of working on residential and commercial projects with both public and private clients across the southeast. He has served as an invited critic and lecturer at schools of architecture on the topics of Resilience and Sustainable Design. He previously worked and taught at the Community Research + Design Center at Clemson’s School of Architecture, where his research focused on leveraging community assets as catalysts for growth and development. Aaron was recognized as part of the American Institute of Architects’ 2020 Young Architect Award program for his pursuit of design excellence and service to the profession and community. He has also been recognized by AIA South Carolina and the Clemson University Young Alumni Association for his volunteerism and leadership. His design work has been awarded at the local, state, and regional level. He is currently a Senior Associate at Moseley, where leads the office Design Excellence program and manages projects across the state. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife and son.
David Sellers’ architectural journey began while working on commercial fishing boats in Alaska,
serving as a ship’s engineer to finance his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University. This
hands-on experience gave him a deep understanding of battery systems, potable and
wastewater systems, and generators. He later earned a master’s degree in architecture,
Urbanism, and Building Science from the Technical University Delft in the Netherlands. After
living abroad for a decade, David returned to the United States and joined The Nature
Conservancy of Hawaii, where he served as Operations Manager and Interim Director of the
Palmyra Atoll program. In this role, he managed a world-renowned research station and led the
Palmyra Renewable Energy Project, transitioning the station from diesel generators to a
renewable microgrid—saving over one million dollars annually and freeing funds for
conservation and research.
In 2015, David co-founded Hawaii Off-Grid Architecture & Engineering (HIOG) with architect
Rick McGovern and civil engineer Jacob Freeman. Building on McGovern’s established
practice, HIOG evolved into a pioneering architectural firm focused on sustainable and resilient
design. As President of AIA Maui in 2024, David played a key role in Maui wildfire recovery
efforts, partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and serving as a county-deputized safety
assessor for damaged structures within the burn zone. He also leads the design of Ohana Hope
Village, a mid-term housing project providing relief for displaced Lahaina residents.
David serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Maui, where he champions
innovative construction materials and methods. He was recently honored with the Gordon W.
Bradley Humanitarian Award, presented by the AIA Honolulu Chapter and the Hawaii
Architectural Foundation for his outstanding humanitarian contributions. The award recognizes
his leadership in advancing sustainable design and his commitment to serving communities in
need, including providing free rebuilding plans and supporting wildfire recovery efforts across
Maui. He has been a driving force behind introducing mass timber solutions to the Hawaiian
Islands, incorporating this sustainable technology into new residential projects and other
developments. David has officially declared his candidacy for AIA National 2027 Presidentelect/
2028 President.
Courses
Leveraging AI for Resilient Design
As climate risks intensify and project challenges become more complex, architects are increasingly required to design for resilience in ways that are both actionable and measurable. Emerging AI-powered tools, such as Digital Twins and Large Language Models (LLMs), are transforming how practitioners assess risk, test scenarios, and incorporate resilience strategies into their daily workflows.
This webinar will explore how architects can effectively use AI-powered Digital Twins and LLMs to inform resilient design decisions from initial concept through development. Participants will gain an understanding of the limitations and reliability of these technologies and identify opportunities to implement resilience strategies across various projects. The session will focus on usability and applications, helping architects translate emerging technologies into concrete design outcomes.
Part 1 of the Architect's Role in Disaster Risk Reduction Series.
Architects and the Future of Post-Disaster Temporary Housing
National Preparedness Month is a reminder that effective disaster response begins long before the storm. This webinar explores the proactive role architects can play in developing temporary housing solutions that are ready to deploy when communities need them most.
Rather than waiting for catastrophe to drive action, this session explores how AIA chapters and their members can prepare before disasters and support communities through recovery afterward. Attendees will examine the frameworks, partnerships, and pre-approved design strategies that can help communities deploy housing and other solutions quickly and effectively when disaster strikes. From modular construction approaches that can scale rapidly in the wake of a disaster, to planning efforts that bring together universities and local emergency management agencies, the session will highlight what effective preparation looks like—and why it matters. Attendees will also gain insight into how design professionals can help communities navigate deployment, response, and recovery in the aftermath.
The conversation also broadens beyond the post-disaster context to examine the intersection of emergency housing and the ongoing housing crisis — including how temporary solutions can sometimes become permanent ones, and how architects can advocate for and support their communities year-round.
Part 2 of the Architect's Role in Disaster Risk Reduction Series.