Kristen Meng

Kristen Meng

PhD Student, School of Architecture · Georgia Institute of Technology

My interests span AI, shape computation, and computational tools for design and fabrication. I'm a first-year PhD student in the Shape Computation Lab, advised by Prof. Athanassios Economou, working at the intersection of AI, shape computation, and robotic fabrication. I'm also a Graduate Research Assistant at AML, supervised by Robert Stuart-Smith, currently developing robotic 3D printing workflows.

Before Georgia Tech, I completed an M.S. in Design: Robotics and Autonomous Systems at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.Arch at Beijing University of Technology, and I currently work as an Architectural Designer at Mei Architect PLLC in New York.

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Current Work

Exploring how shape rules, visual reasoning, and AI-assisted design relate to one another — including early interest in extracting information and design rules from architectural drawings. In parallel, at AML I'm developing workflows for KUKA robotic 3D printing, working with Franklin on organizing and executing large toolpath point sets in preparation for large-scale printing. Both threads are early-stage, ongoing work.

Education & Experience
2025 – Present

Ph.D., Architecture

Georgia Institute of Technology · Shape Computation Lab, advised by Prof. Athanassios Economou
Aug 2023 – May 2024

M.S. in Design: Robotics and Autonomous Systems

University of Pennsylvania · GPA 3.82 — robotic fabrication, computational design, structural design, human–computer interaction
Sept 2018 – Jul 2023

B.Arch, Architecture

Beijing University of Technology · GPA 3.67 — parametric design and structural optimization
2024 – Present

Architectural Designer

Mei Architect PLLC, New York
  • Coordinate single- and two-family residential projects from schematic design to DOB submission, focused on wood-frame structural systems
  • Produce construction and structural drawings (AutoCAD, Rhino), applying NYC Building Code and zoning standards
2024

Media Coordinator & Research Assistant

University of Pennsylvania, MSD-RAS Program
  • Supported robotic fabrication and material research through documentation, photography, and data organization
  • Contributed to the visual layout of the program's final studio publication
Publications
CAADRIA 2025 Proceedings · Tokyo, Japan

Localized Multi-Pass Thermoforming Through Robotic Manipulation: A Gesture-Based Approach to Moldless, Multi-Draft Angle PETG Sheet Forming

Meng, Y., Wang, S., Campuzano, C., Stuart-Smith, R., Anderson, J., King, N., Moriuchi, S., & Sideropoulos, N. (2025)
cumincad.org → Download PDF Related project →
Skills

Programming

Python, C#, C, Java

Robotics & Control

ABB IRB4600, IRC5 controller, RobotStudio / RAPID, KUKA, Arduino (sensor integration), Pixy2, OpenCV, basic ROS

Modeling & Simulation

Rhino / Grasshopper, Fusion 360, Kangaroo, Flexhopper, PolyFrame, COMPAS

Fabrication & Visualization

3D printing (clay, PETG), CNC milling, laser cutting, Unity (AR), KeyShot, Stable Diffusion / ControlNet

Honors & Awards
  • Gaozhi Innovation Scholarship (2021–2022)
  • 1st Prize, Beijing Structural Design Contest (2022)
  • Best Creativity Award, Public Space Node Design (2020)