Designing a sustainable university building in San Francisco and launching the vision for Circula AEC.
As part of my academic commitments, I recently had the privilege of participating in the prestigious AEC Global Teamwork Challenge 2026, organized by the PBL Lab at Stanford University. Since 1993, this elite program has been reshaping the future of the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) industries by fostering international, multidisciplinary collaboration.
I participated as one of the three Construction Managers in the 8-member global team, Pacific 2026. Our mission? To design a cutting-edge university building in San Francisco.
“The Redwood” Concept & Digital Integration
Our design was inspired by the majestic Redwood tree—a symbol of resilience, growth, and ecosystem connectivity. From January to May 2026, our team navigated the complexities of modern engineering:
- Global Collaboration: Overcoming time zone challenges through advanced digital workflows.
- Lifecycle & Management: Streamlining construction processes with a heavy focus on sustainability, scheduling, cost-efficiency and future of construction!
Circula AEC: Elevating Circular Economy through Urban Mining
To truly push the boundaries of sustainability, we developed a startup concept called Circula AEC. The core idea revolves around Urban Mining—reclaiming and reusing structural elements and materials from deconstruction sites. By keeping these materials in the economic cycle, Circula AEC aims to take circular construction to the next level.
The project culminated in May with a final presentation. You can watch the full presentation and see our design in action on YouTube.
I am deeply honored to have worked alongside peers who share the same passion for engineering. AEC Global Teamwork Challenge 2026 really broadened my horizons. I would like to express my thanks again to dr. Renate Fructer, all the mentors and the peers who have been part of our journey. The future of AEC is digital, collaborative, and circular.