Daniela Atencio and Claudio Rossi, Visiting Professors at Florida International University, recently traveled to the University of Melbourne to participate in the prestigious Dean’s Lecture Series and a series of international academic events exploring the intersection of architecture, technology, and future urbanism.Their visit was centered around the global workshop and exhibition Non-Fictional Cities 2: Edible Urban Futures, a collaborative initiative involving 12 international universities and more than 110 students. This year’s edition explored how food systems and urban design intersect in shaping more resilient, sustainable cities.
Setting the Stage
Upon arrival, Professors Atencio and Rossi immediately joined final preparations for the exhibition at the Glyn Davis Building, home to Melbourne’s Faculty of Design. Following a review of the student presentations, they participated in a hands-on workshop using the ABB1200 Robot at the university’s Fab Lab—an experience that drew strong engagement from both students and faculty alike.
Cross-Disciplinary Dialogues
On Thursday, March 6, the duo was invited to give an open lecture in Professor Justyna Karakiewicz’s vertical studio, where students across disciplines explored architecture as a biological machine. The conversation challenged students to consider architecture as a living system, bridging environmental design with adaptive technologies.
LEFT: Workflow and setup design for robotic workflow with an ABB 1200 Robot. Credits-Design: Daniela Atencio, Claudio Rossi_RIGHT: Workflow execution at The University of Melbourne_Robotics Lab. Credits: Daniela Atencio, Claudio Rossi
Later that day, the Urban Edible Futures exhibition officially opened, showcasing student projects that addressed the future of food and cities. Two FIU-led student projects received honors: one was awarded First Prize, while another received an Honorable Mention. These awards were adjudicated by an international jury, including renowned figures such as Sir Peter Cook and CJ Lim. Representatives from countries including Spain, Ecuador, Japan, Brazil, the UAE, and Peru attended the opening, while many students connected virtually through Zoom. Professors Atencio and Rossi proudly represented students from Venezuela and Colombia.
Looking Ahead: Non-Fictional Cities 3 – Cities as Wetlands
On Friday, the focus shifted toward the future. An all-day session laid the foundation for the upcoming edition of the workshop: Non-Fictional Cities 3: Cities as Wetlands, which will center on the future of water in urban environments. This third iteration will be hosted by Florida International University, in partnership with the University of Melbourne.
Planned participating institutions include:
- TEC de Monterrey (Mexico)
- Universidad de Los Andes (Colombia)
- University of Hawaii (USA)
- Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru)
- Universidad de Sevilla (Spain)
- Auburn University (USA)
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina)
- American University of Sharjah (UAE)
- University of Pennsylvania (USA), among others.
The upcoming edition will include real-time lectures, workshops, and collaborative studio sessions, all open and free to students globally. International experts such as Peter Cook, Caroline Bos, CJ Lim, Daniel Vasini (WEST 8), Beatriz Colomina, and Odile Decq are under consideration for keynote participation.
Research, Reflection, and Robotic Futures
The weekend continued with sessions focused on future research collaborations, particularly involving robotic design and digital fabrication with the University of Melbourne’s robotic systems. These conversations are paving the way for shared academic and technological explorations between institutions.
Despite the packed itinerary, both professors remained committed to their FIU teaching duties. Monday, March 10—a national holiday in Australia—was spent reviewing and giving feedback on student assignments across their courses (D4, D6, and D9), ensuring continuity between hemispheres.
The BIO_LENT MACHINES Lecture
The visit concluded on Tuesday, March 11 with the centerpiece of their academic contribution: the BIO_LENT MACHINES lecture, part of the Dean’s Lecture Series. The event drew scholars and practitioners from the University of Melbourne and RMIT, including notable figures such as Roland Snooks, Nic Bao, and Tom Kovac. The lecture, which explored speculative technologies and bio-integrated design practices, was recorded and will be made publicly available.
This international academic exchange marks a significant step forward in collaborative architectural research and teaching between FIU and top institutions around the globe. It underscores the importance of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue in shaping resilient, inclusive futures for our cities.
