Alexander
Htet Kyaw

Alexander is a researcher developing new tools and workflows for human-machine-material collaboration through computational design and fabrication. His work integrates multidisciplinary topics such as augmented reality, digital fabrication, robotics, biomaterials, deployable structures, simulation, computer vision, and machine learning. Alexander's research contributions have been published in Automation in Construction, Architectural Intelligence, the International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication, Education and Research in Computer-Aided Architectural Design in Europe, and the Association for Computer-Aided Design in Architecture.

Currently, he is pursuing a dual degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), working towards a Master of Science in Architectural Studies in Computation along with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. At MIT, Alexander works with the Digital Structures Lab, Media Lab, and Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab. Previously, he completed his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University, where he received a minor in Computer Science and Information Science. At Cornell University, Alexander held research positions in the Robotic Construction Lab and the Sabin Matter Design Computation Lab. His professional experience includes roles at Autodesk, Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM), Jenny Sabin Studio, BRIC Architecture, and Proximity Design.

Alexander's design and research have garnered recognition from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Museum of Craft and Design, Google, Amazon, the Land Art Generator Initiative, and the United Nations. Before pursuing his Bachelor's degree in the United States, Alexander was raised in Yangon, Myanmar. He is now a co-founder of BendShelters, a social enterprise supported by MIT DesignX and the PKG Social Innovation Challenge, focused on building deployable modular bamboo shelters for refugees in Myanmar.

Project Portfolio

Resume / CV

Recent Publications

A. H. Kyaw, A. Xu, G. Jahn, N. van den Berg, C. Newnham, and S. Zivkovic, “Augmented Reality for high precision fabrication of Glued Laminated Timber beams,” Automation in Construction, vol. 152, May 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2023.104912.

A. H. Kyaw, L. Spencer, S. Zivkovic, and L. Lok “Gestural Recognition for Feedback-Based Mixed Reality and Robotic Fabrication a Case Study of the UnLog Tower,” in the Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF), June 24th 2023

A. H. Kyaw, J.Otto and L. Lok “Active Bending in Physics-Based Mixed Reality: The design and fabrication of a reconfigurable modular bamboo system” in the Proceedings of the 41st Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe), September 2023
L. Spencer, A. H. Kyaw, S. Zivkovic, and L. Lok “Extended Reality (XR) Workflows for Multi-Material Assemblies" in the Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Conference of the Association of Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA), October 2023
A. H. Kyaw, L. Spencer, and L. Lok “Human–machine Collaboration using Gesture Recognition in Mixed Reality and Robotic Fabrication,” Architectural Intelligence, vol 3, March, 2024

Contact Info

alexkyaw@mit.edu
6072799832

Other Sites

ResearchGate

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MIT Architecture