Nominator: Marek Jan Štěpán

Nominator's statement

Tomáš Müller is being nominated primarily because of the freshness and clarity of his architectural and conceptual thinking, which can have a great influence on the future shape of architecture.

His interactive architecture responds to a dynamically changing world by its very nature. Architecture, which since the beginning of humanity has focused on improving and making the surrounding environment more pleasant for the benefit of humans, now has the opportunity to make a leap in its interactivity thanks to the great development of technology. The author designs architectural structures that dynamically adapt to changing conditions and human needs and can lay the foundation for a robust and adaptable solution that could contribute to a more durable and sustainable architecture in the future. He uses contemporary digital design techniques that enable the connection of the potential of the ancient art of origami - the technique of paper folding - with today's technology. Thanks to this connection, he creates architecture that will be able to change and adapt. From paper shells to kinetic ones and to the development of a digital tool capable of designing and controlling their behavior.

INTERACTIVE ARCHITECTURE: ORIGAMI-BASED KINETIC SHELLS
This project introduces a kinetic shell system designed to balance environmental conditions with human comfort. By merging parametric design with digital fabrication, it creates an adaptive canopy that responds to its surroundings. The development progressed from manual paper folding to advanced prototyping, using techniques like 3D printing on textiles and embedding bearings to allow flexible connections between shell faces. This process successfully transformed origami’s geometric logic into functional, kinetic architecture.

Imagine a space that instantly responds to your presence. These shells function as a responsive system, automatically tracking both the sun and your movement to provide optimal shade. It is an intuitive environment that adjusts to its occupants, creating a seamless, interactive bond between the user and the structure.

To achieve this, environmental simulations precisely control the movement of the shells. This data-driven approach ensures high performance at any scale—from individual units to large, multi-occupant domes. The result translates folding patterns into dynamic, non-static elements that actively interact with their environment.

ADAPTATION OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Global warming increases the need for buildings that can protect themselves from overheating. Kinetic shading systems are a vital solution, unlike static facades, they balance multiple conditions in real-time. They optimize natural light during cloudy weather and provide shade only when necessary, significantly cutting energy costs and improving user comfort.

My research investigated origami as a functional structural system. This pre-diploma project established the groundwork by translating folding logic into computational models. By testing how shells deform—first by hand and later through digital control—I developed 3D-printed prototypes with flexible hinges. This process served as a methodological bridge between geometry and fabrication, creating the foundation for the complex, performance-driven architecture of my final thesis.

Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my family and friends for their support. Special thanks to my supervisor, Martin Kaftan, and to Petr Frantík for his essential technical consultations.

VOLCANISM: PARAMETRIC URBANISM IN BISHOFTU, ETHIOPIA

This project reimagines Mount Babogaya as the vibrant heart of a new district in Bishoftu. Our master plan positions settlements around the volcano to activate the area and establish it as a city landmark. The design integrates four key layers: street networks, parcellation, amenity distribution, and building heights.

 To ensure a lively environment, we used Betweenness Centrality to simulate human movement. Our goal was to design a street network that brings people easily toward the mountain, matching the activity levels of the town’s existing main roads. We compared a street network that respected current plots with a new radial system; we chose the radial network for its superior mountain views and strong district identity.

 Based on this movement potential, a custom script automatically created the city layout. Busy streets have narrow parcels, shops, and the tallest buildings to keep the area active. In contrast, the quiet edges of the city use wider plots for housing. This data-driven approach creates a flexible city that connects people to the landscape.

Acknowledgments
Special thanks to our supervisor Sven Schneider and teammates Alp Okan Atakan and Anastasia Surova.