CAAD Futures 2027 — Design Agency

Theme

Design Agency

The rapid development of artificial intelligence has brought renewed attention to the question of design agency. As AI systems become actively embedded in computational design workflows, they prompt a re-examination of who — or what — acts, decides, and bears responsibility within design processes.

Rather than framing AI as a singular innovation, CAAD Futures 2027 approaches it as a catalyst that brings renewed attention to how agency is configured, negotiated, and distributed across designers, computational systems, and design cultures.

Situated in Calgary, the conference engages questions of design agency within a regional context shaped by urban transformation, environmental conditions, and evolving technological infrastructures.

01 Design Generation

02 Theory, History, and Pedagogy

03 Architectural and Urban Systems

04 Socio-Technical Implications of Computational Design

05 Fabrication, Materiality, and Robotic Construction

06 Data, Sensing, and Computational Infrastructure

Important Dates

Key deadlines and milestones for CAAD Futures 2027. All dates are subject to refinement in consultation with the CAAD Futures Board.

September 15, 2026	Full Paper Submission	Papers
October 2026 – January 2027	Review Period	Papers
Early January 2027	Reviews Released	Papers
Late January 2027	Final Acceptance	Papers
Mid March 2027	Camera-Ready Submission	Papers
February 2027	Workshop Proposal Deadline	Workshops
Mid May 2027	Workshop Acceptance	Workshops
Mid March – Late April 2027	Early-Bird Registration	Registration
May 2027	Regular Registration	Registration
June 29 – July 3, 2027	Conference	Calgary

Venue

SAPL Downtown Campus

The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at the University of Calgary. A purpose-adapted urban campus in the core of downtown Calgary — 801 7th Ave SW. Calgary is the gateway to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, with Banff National Park in close proximity, offering one of the most distinctive conference settings in the world.

SAPL Downtown

Calgary

Moraine Lake

Banff Gondola

The University of Calgary, located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut'ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation within Alberta (including Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6).

Program

Two days of intensive workshops followed by three days of paper presentations, keynotes, and panels. Detailed sessions will be announced.

Day 1

Jun 29 Sunday

Workshop

AM Opening Remark · Workshop A / B / C

Lunch Explore Calgary Downtown

PM Workshop A / B / C · Coffee Break · Social Mixer

Day 2

Jun 30 Monday

Workshop

AM Workshop A / B / C

Lunch Catered Lunch

PM Workshop A / B / C · Coffee Break · Workshop Exchange

Eve

Day 3

Jul 1 Tuesday

Papers

AM Deans' Welcome · Keynote 1 · Sessions 1–3

Lunch Explore Calgary Downtown

PM Sessions 4–6 · Awards · Keynote 2

Day 4

Jul 2 Wednesday

Papers

AM Sessions 7–9

Lunch Catered Lunch

PM Sessions 10–12 · Workshop Outcomes · Keynote 3/4

Eve

Day 5

Jul 3 Thursday

Papers

AM Keynote 5 · Sessions 13–15

Lunch Catered Lunch

PM Keynote 6 · Sessions 16–18 · Closing Remarks

Day 6

Jul 4 Friday

Optional

8 AM Departure · Visit Lake Louise

Lunch Art Centre Buffet

PM Banff Gondola

Eve

Organizing Team

CAAD Futures 2027 is organized by a multidisciplinary team based within the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at the University of Calgary.