HELLO, I AM

Alex Christodoulou

AECTech & Parametric Design Specialist.
Empowering better design through custom coding, AI, and generative geometry.

The Interface Between Design & Code

With over a decade of experience in the AEC industry, I specialize in developing advanced digital tools. My background bridges the gap between high-level engineering (Arup) and software development.

Currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Thessaly and a Freelance Consultant, I build frameworks that automate complex geometries, optimize building performance, and integrate AI into architectural workflows.

Professional Practice

Aug 2021 - Present

Freelance Parametric Design Specialist

Consultant & Developer

Providing high-level consultancy for architectural firms. Focusing on custom C#/Grasshopper tool creation, BIM automation, and geometry rationalization.

Branch

Senior Developer

Developing fabrication detailing software at Branch.

Dec 2024 - Present

Topotheque Design Research

Computational Design Specialist Consultant

Developing custom digital solutions and design research strategies.

2013 - 2021 (8 Years)

Arup | Amsterdam

Senior Computational Design Engineer

Led the parametric building design automation framework. Key projects include The Valley, Elements Tower, and Smakkelaarspark. Optimized workflows for structures, facades, and MEP using custom algorithms.

Academic & Teaching Experience

Mar 2022 - Present

University of Thessaly

Workshop Leader & Researcher

Delivered parametric design workshops for the Architecture department while conducting PhD research.

Jan 2025 - Present

TechnoStruct Academy (TSA)

Online Instructor

Teaching "Advanced Computational Design" — specialized courses on computational methodologies and AECTech workflows.

Nov 2022 - Present

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC)

Invited Lecturer | MACAD Program

Lecturing on Digital Tools for Environmental Analysis, Solar/Daylight Analysis using Ladybug Tools, and custom typology optimization.

International Workshops

Guest Lecturer

Various Institutions
  • KU Leuven: "BRAVE NEW WORLD" workshop (3 consecutive years).
  • TU Delft: Workshop Tutor / Guest Lecturer.
  • Shenzhen University: Guest Lecturer on Computational Design.

Studies & Degrees

Mar 2022 - Mar 2027 (Expected)

University of Thessaly

PhD Candidate, Parametric Design + AI in AEC

Research Topic: Generative Sustainable Performance Design Exploration Applied to Greek Urban Typologies.

2018 - 2019

University of Southampton

Masters Module, Artificial Intelligence

Focus: Machine Learning, Data Science, SQL, and AI applications in engineering.

2011 - 2013

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

MSc, Building Engineering & Technology

Thesis: "Parametric Massing Optimization Tools" (MEOtoolbox).
Honors: Energy Club Member, TU Delft Future Learning Competition Winner.

2005 - 2010

University of Patras

Diploma in Civil Engineering

5-Year Professional Diploma (MSc Equivalent).

License

Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE-TCG)

Accredited Engineer

Issued Dec 2010.

Publications & Research

Generative Sustainable Performance Design Exploration Applied to Greek Urban Typologies
Sustainable Built Environments (SBE23), Thessaloniki | Mar 2023

Co-authored with Ioanna Symeonidou. Presents a parametric model for the typical Greek Urban Typology (Polykatoikia) to identify sustainable design strategies.

Advanced Applications in Computational Design
Chapter in "Industry 4.0 for the Built Environment" (Springer) | Dec 2021

Documenting the parametric design work on the Elements project and real-world international case studies.

Multi-objective Parametric Massing Optimisation
Design Modelling Symposium 2019 (Berlin) | Sep 2019

Case study of the Smakkelaarspark development in Utrecht, demonstrating data-driven massing design.

Case Study for the Application of Multidisciplinary Computational Design Assessment
SIMAUD 2018 (Delft) | Jun 2018

Analysis of the "Valley" project in Amsterdam, focusing on constructability optimization tools.

Automated building stock data mining and classification
IASS 2017 Proceedings | Sep 2017

Overview of automated data-mining processes used to analyze the Groningen building stock for structural upgrading.

Parametric Massing Optimization Tools (MSc Thesis)
TU Delft Repository | Oct 2013

The rising importance of engineering and financial objectives in early design stages.

Technical Stack

Development

Building custom plugins and automation tools.

C# Python SQL Grasshopper API Generative AI

Design Technology

Advanced geometry and environmental analysis.

Rhino 3D Parametric Design Ladybug Tools and numerous other key plug-ins

Strategy

Leading digital transformation in AEC.

Workflow Optimization Technical Teaching Data Science Complex Geometry

Selected Works

The Valley

Amsterdam | via Arup

Managed complex parametric façades and geometry rationalization for the iconic mixed-use development.

Groningen Region Building Stock Analysis & Exposure Database

Groningen | via Arup

Automated data-mining processes to analyse and classify the building stock in the Groningen Region"

Smakkelaarspark

Utrecht | via Arup

Developed custom computational design workflows to resolve complex urban and environmental integration challenges.

Elements

AmsterdamDIATBNRRH1MJ | via Arup

Implemented state of the art generative design optimisation workflows to achieve a tower form that maximises design targets"

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