Professor Prof. Dr. Marc Aurel Schnabel at Chinese University will be the CDVE2011 keynote speaker

Professor Marc Aurel Schnabel is teaching and researching at the School of Architecture, Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has experience in international architectural practice and has taught in Germany, Australia and Hong Kong for over fifteen years. His expertise stretches from computational architectural design to augmented environments, design learning & communication consultancy, generative architecture & digital media. He publishes extensively in international journals about education, architectural design learning and visual communication. He is a passionate educator who encourages emerging talents to communicate information using unconventional and creative methods of dissemination. He recently curated two digital exhibitions, Disparallel Spaces at Tin Sheds- and 8448cubed at Gaffa Galleries. He is currently establishing the Digital Architecture Research Alliance connecting researchers in innovative digital spatial design.

Speech title
                                    Mixed Realities: How to get in and out again

Abstract:
Social Networks, as instruments for communication, have provided a potentially fruitful operative base for design interaction using online communication, multimedia, mobile computing facilities and other blended environments. These technologies transfer communication, leadership, democratic interaction, teamwork, social engagement and responsibility away from the designer  to all stakeholders. The perception and understanding of spatial volumes within immersive, non-immersive virtual environments and physical models as well as their translation to tangible representations can be experienced in various novel ways. Design communication and collaboration in augmented and virtual environments offer laypersons and experts alike realms that allows them to engage more closely with the design moving design interaction beyond its conventional realm and enabled architectural design to react to current and future needs.