Profile
Nicolas Turchi is an architect, educator and researcher specialising in computational design, emerging technologies and the application of artificial intelligence to architecture. He is an Assistant Professor at the American University in Dubai and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bologna. He is also the founder and director of nt-ar, an international architecture and computational design practice recognised as a RIBA Chartered Practice.
His research investigates the relationship between architectural design, algorithms, numerical parameters and generative systems, with particular attention to the integration of artificial intelligence into processes of design ideation, analysis and development. A further area of interest concerns the transformations of architectural space brought about by emerging technologies and the relationships between space, time, memory, movement and perception, informed by the philosophy of Henri Bergson and Edmund Husserl.
His multidisciplinary approach brings together architectural history and theory, aesthetics, philosophy, scientific research, computational design, environmental simulation and digital fabrication.
Before pursuing an academic career, he collaborated with leading international practices, including Zaha Hadid Architects in London, Peter Eisenman Architects in New York, Mario Cucinella Architects in Bologna, Xefirotarch–Hernan Diaz Alonso Architects in Los Angeles and 5+1AA in Milan.
He is registered with the UK Architects Registration Board, a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Education
In 2016, Nicolas Turchi obtained his Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Bologna. His thesis in architectural design received the Giacomo Venturi Award for Best Architecture Thesis for the 2016–2017 academic year and was subsequently recognised by the New Italian Blood Awards.
In 2018, he completed the Master in Architecture II programme at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, supported by a scholarship. During his studies at Harvard, he developed research examining the relationships between architecture, time, memory, representation and digital technologies.
He also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, recognising his experience and professional competence in university teaching.
Teaching experience
Nicolas Turchi is currently an Assistant Professor at the American University in Dubai, where he teaches architectural design, computational design, parametric design and applications of artificial intelligence to architecture and urban design.
Since 2019, he has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bologna, where he teaches Parametric Algorithms for Form Generation, a course focused on algorithmic design, parametric modelling and the use of data and numerical parameters within the design process.
From 2022 to 2024, he was a Lecturer and Digital Lead at the Manchester School of Architecture, where he contributed to the integration of advanced digital design methods into architectural education.
He previously worked as a Teaching Fellow at the Politecnico di Milano and as a Teaching Assistant at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, collaborating with figures including Patrik Schumacher and Greg Lynn. At Harvard, he also led workshops on digital modelling and representation.
He has taught as a Visiting Professor and invited lecturer at international institutions, including Birmingham City University and the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia. Since 2016, he has also delivered international courses and workshops for organisations and educational platforms including Design Morphine, Performance Network and Middle East Architecture Lab.
He regularly contributes to conferences, seminars, juries and academic reviews at universities and institutions across Europe, the Middle East and the United States.
Professional experience
Nicolas Turchi is the founder and director of nt-ar, an international architecture practice operating in the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. The practice works across architecture, masterplanning, computational design and applied research, with particular attention to the integration of design identity, generative systems, environmental performance and emerging technologies.
nt-ar is recognised as a RIBA Chartered Practice and operates internationally, with a growing portfolio in the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
Before establishing his own practice, Nicolas Turchi gained professional experience at Zaha Hadid Architects, Peter Eisenman Architects, Mario Cucinella Architects, Xefirotarch–Hernan Diaz Alonso Architects and 5+1AA.
Awards and recognition
- 2026 — Provost Award, American University in Dubai.
- 2026 — “Value Driven Residential Property of the Year”, Construction Week Property Awards, for Tresora by Wadan Developments.
- 2021 — Participation in the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale, How Will We Live Together?, Virtual Italian Pavilion, CITYX Venice.
- 2019 — New Italian Blood Award for Research.
- 2018 — Project selected by ArchDaily as one of the year’s best student projects.
- 2018 — Publication of the selected project “Futurism 2.0” by the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
- 2017 — Giacomo Venturi Award for Best Architecture Thesis, 2016–2017.
- 2016–2017 — Scholarship for the Master in Architecture II programme at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
- 2015 — Scholarship for thesis research abroad.
- 2012 — Erasmus Scholarship at the University of the West of England.
Selected publications
- 2025 — “Context-Aware Urban Generation: A Generative and AI-Driven Computational Framework for Performative and Culturally-Rooted Neighborhood Design in Dubai”, in Urban Planning & Architectural Design for Sustainable Development, conference proceedings.
- 2025 — “Embracing Technological Disruption and the Fourth Dimension in Art and Performative Art Spaces”, book chapter, Springer Nature.
- 2025 — “AI and Sustainable Design: Reimagining Place Identity through Contextual Data and Adaptive Filtering”, in Sustainable Creative Art: Inspiration from Nature, conference proceedings.
- 2022 — “Digi Skills BSc: Revising Graphic Literacy in BSc Architectural Design Education through a Software-Based Pedagogic Approach. A Shared Pilot Experience at the Politecnico di Milano”, in Dialoghi: visioni e visualità / Dialogues: Visions and Visuality, FrancoAngeli Open Access, pp. 2221–2229.
- 2021 — “Architettura dello spazio/tempo: Memoria è Progetto”, diségno, no. 8, pp. 97–108.
- 2021 — “Scalable Tectonics”, in Speculative Futures: Stories from the Future.
- 2020 — “Retention and Protention Methodology: Edmund Husserl’s Phenomenology as a Multidimensional Design Approach”, in Connecting: Drawing for Weaving Relationships, proceedings of the 42nd International Conference of Representation Disciplines Teachers.
- 2020 — Selected project published in Margaret Fletcher, Visual Communication for Architects and Designers: Constructing the Persuasive Presentation, Routledge.
- 2018 — Selected project published in Platform 11: Setting the Table, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Actar.
- 2015 — Selected project published in Francesco Gulinello (ed.), Figure urbane. Progetti per l’ex caserma Sani a Bologna, Quodlibet.
Conferences, juries and other activities
Nicolas Turchi has participated as a speaker, invited lecturer and jury member in international conferences, seminars and academic reviews at institutions including Harvard University, Texas A&M University, the New York Institute of Technology, Universidad de los Andes, Birmingham City University, the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia, the Politecnico di Milano and the University of Bologna.
He has also served as a jury member for the international Inspireli Awards and contributed to initiatives, workshops and educational programmes focused on computational design, digital representation and the technological transformation of architecture.
