WEBINAR: Can Materials Think? The Architecture of Material Intelligence
Presented by AIA Rhode Island
Session Description
Advances in AI, digital twins, sensing technologies, and materials research are transforming the built environment. This session explores the emerging concept of Material Intelligence and asks: Can materials think? Attendees will examine how intelligent materials (focusing on Concrete) can enhance resilience, sustainability, performance, and stewardship while reshaping architectural practice, risk, and lifecycle accountability.
Learning Objectives
- Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to: Describe how emerging technologies, including AI, embedded sensing, digital twins, and advanced materials research, are transforming regenerative design, building performance and lifecycle management.
- Evaluate how intelligent materials can improve resilience, durability, occupant safety, climate adaptation, and long-term asset performance.
- Identify opportunities to use performance data and predictive analytics to support more informed design, specification, maintenance, and risk-management decisions.
- Assess the implications of material intelligence for regenerative design, professional practice, including lifecycle accountability, insurance, stewardship, and the future role of architects in delivering healthy, safe, and resilient built environments.
Speaker
Frank Mruk, FAIA, RIBA, CSI, is Senior Director of Building Innovations at NRMCA, where he leads initiatives focused on low-carbon concrete, material innovation, and resilient design. A former architecture dean, educator, and practicing architect, he serves on the CSI National Board of Directors and is President of the CSI Northeast Region and past President of AIA RI. His work explores the intersection of materials, technology, sustainability, AI, and the future of the built environment.
1 CEU – HSW Justification
Participants will learn how intelligent materials can support structural durability, hazard mitigation, climate adaptation, predictive maintenance, and lifecycle performance monitoring. The session explores how real-time performance data and advanced analytics can help identify risks before failures occur, improve occupant safety, enhance resilience to extreme weather events, and support more informed decisions regarding repair, replacement, and asset management.
The presentation also addresses professional responsibility, risk management, and lifecycle accountability as architects increasingly design buildings intended to perform safely and effectively throughout their service life. By connecting material innovation to resilience, public safety, sustainability, and building performance, the session directly supports the protection and welfare of building occupants and communities.
Course number : VRT-26-001
Credit Type : LU|HSW
Number of Credits : 1
