Call for Papers
The 12th International Congress on Architectural Technology – ICAT 2027
Call for Papers | TU Dublin
Conference Theme: The Architectural Technologist as a Technical Specialist in Building Design
The role of the Architectural Technologist has evolved significantly in recent decades, establishing itself as a distinct and indispensable discipline within the built environment. This conference invites practitioners, academics, and researchers to explore and celebrate the Architectural Technologist's unique position as a technical specialist — bridging the gap between architectural vision and the rigorous demands of modern building design and delivery.
As buildings grow increasingly complex in their performance requirements, regulatory frameworks, and construction methodologies, the need for deep technical expertise has never been greater. Architectural Technologists bring a focused, evidence-based approach to building design — encompassing building physics, material specification, detailing, procurement, and contract administration — ensuring that structures are not only conceived with creativity, but delivered with precision, safety, and sustainability at their core.
This conference seeks to examine the expanding scope of this specialism, asking how Architectural Technologists are shaping the future of the built environment through innovation, leadership, and technical mastery. From digital construction technologies and performance-driven design to evolving professional frameworks and interdisciplinary collaboration, we welcome contributions that reflect the breadth and depth of the discipline.
We invite submissions that challenge assumptions, share original research, present case studies, and provoke discussion around what it means to be a technical specialist in contemporary building design — and where the profession is headed next.
The Congress invites abstracts and papers for the following sub themes:
- Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies — Exploring how BIM, AI, computational design, and digital twins are reshaping the technical specialist's toolkit and redefining workflows in building design and delivery.
- Building Performance and Environmental Design — Examining the Architectural Technologist's role in driving energy efficiency, building physics, net zero carbon design, and whole-life performance outcomes.
- Technical Leadership and Professional Identity — Investigating how Architectural Technologists are asserting their role as project leaders and technical authorities, and how the profession is defining and communicating its unique value.
- Specification, Detailing and Building Safety — Focusing on the critical importance of rigorous technical output — from material specification and construction detailing to compliance, risk management, and the evolving building safety regulatory landscape.
- Education, Research and the Future Practitioner — Considering how architectural technology education is responding to industry demands, and how research is informing and advancing professional practice.
- Collaborative Practice and Interdisciplinary Working — Exploring how Architectural Technologists operate within multi-disciplinary teams, their relationships with other built environment professionals, and the evolution of procurement and project delivery models.
