Daniel Locatelli.

Daniel Nunes Locatelli

AEC Software Engineer

"Architecture is inherently transdisciplinary. Its future lies in the use of computational co-design with vernacular materials to create circular construction systems."

contact@daniellocatelli.com +49 178 324-0834 Munich, Germany

Summary

Software engineer and computational design researcher specializing in timber construction. Expertise in bridging design and engineering through C#, Python and web technologies. M.Sc. from ITECH (University of Stuttgart) with a focus on multi-scalar robotic systems for engineered timber. Trilingual professional (English, German, and Portuguese) dedicated to solving complex structural problems through scalable software and data-driven fabrication.

Education

Master of Sciences

ITECH, University of Stuttgart | Stuttgart, Germany

Building Across Scales - A Robotic Timber Fabrication System for On-Site Press Gluing

Supervisors: Prof. Achim Menges, Prof. Jan Knippers

Advisors: Hans Jakob Wagner, Samuel Leder

Bachelor of Architecture and Urbanism

FAU, University of São Paulo | São Paulo, Brazil

Thesis: Architecture + Biomimetics + Algorithm

Supervisors: Prof. Arthur Lara

Architecture Exchange Student

Auburn University – CADC | Auburn, USA

Intensive English Program

Auburn Global | Auburn, USA

University Entrance Preparatory Course

Colégio Nobel | Londrina, Brazil

Bachelor of Architecture and Urbanism (dropped)

UNEMAT | Barra do Bugres, Brazil

High School

CEI Anglo | Vilhena, Brazil

Professional Experience

Current

Research Associate (60%)

Munich University of Applied Sciences | Munich, Germany

  • Development of a Revit plugin (C#/.NET) to import buildups from DOKwood into Revit as System Families.
  • Development of a bSDD (building Smart Data Dictionary) to consolidate a semantic data model for DOKwood.
  • Research on standards, databases, CAD and BIM tools with focus on timber technology. Foundations to develop the app DOKwood.

AEC Software Engineer

BuildSystems GmbH | Munich, Germany

Previously the startup Urban Scale Timber

  • Development of a Funding Calculator for new constructions and renovations in Germany. Built with the Angular framework and PostgreSQL (Supabase).
  • Development of BuildSystems’ website using Astro framework, leveraging Notion API to use Notion as a content management system (CMS).

AEC Software Engineer

Urban Scale Timber, Flügge Funding | Munich, Germany

The startup is now BuildSystems GmbH

  • Development of a Grasshopper plugin (C#/.NET) and a semantic data model for urban analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of timber buildings (LCA).
  • UI/UX prototype for the web app Circular Component Creator in Figma.
  • Data visualization from Grasshopper to Power BI for decision-making.
  • Development of Grasshopper workflows: urban analysis tools and timber component configurator with EPD data.

Computational Designer

ArtEngineering GmbH | Schorndorf, Germany

  • Conducted algorithmic modeling and finite element analysis of complex spatial structures and artworks.
  • Developed design-to-production automated workflows.
  • Aiding on structural analysis of complex spatial structures.
  • Preparing meticulous technical documentation.
  • Creating precise engineering drawings and production plans.

Computational Designer

Alfred Rein Ingenieure GmbH | Stuttgart, Germany

  • Received honorable mention in the competition ‘Witterungsschutz Römermauer’ from the city of Wiesbaden.
  • Specialized in computational form finding of tensile structures.
  • Simulated the deployment of an inflatable membrane structure.
  • Development of an automatized cutting pattern workflow for membranes.

Research Assistant

ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart | Stuttgart, Germany

  • Conducted natural fiber structural tests with Marta Gil Pérez.
  • Carbon fiber winding research with Christoph Schlopschnat.
  • Computational design of a self-curving timber tower with Dylan Wood.
  • Assisted the ICD website migration with Tobias Schwinn.

Computational Designer

Atelier Marko Brajovic | São Paulo, Brazil

Intern until December 2016

  • Executed CAD, BIM, and computational modeling for architectural projects.
  • Managed project communications and supplier relationships.
  • Developed conceptual designs and high-quality renderings.
  • Led prototyping and digital fabrication initiatives.

On-the-job Training

California State University Long Beach | Long Beach, USA

  • Gained hands-on experience in project management.
  • Conducted construction site inspections.
  • Gained BIM modeling skills.
  • Completed Safety and Health Training.

Graphic Designer

Biomedical Science Institute - University of São Paulo | São Paulo, Brazil

  • Created conceptual designs for scientific communications.
  • Managed design project workflows.
  • Organized and supported academic competitions.

Scholarships

IntCDC Master’s Thesis Grant 2021

Cluster of Excellence – IntCDC | Stuttgart, Germany

The Grant encourages excellent master’s students to realize a first step toward a prospective academic career.

Science without Borders

Federal Government of Brazil | Auburn, USA

Fully funded scholarships for the top Brazilian students. One year at Auburn University, USA.

Publications

Multi-scalar robotic fabrication system for on-site press gluing in multi-storey timber buildings

Automation in Construction, Volume 168, Part A

Nils Opgenorth, Daniel Nunes Locatelli, Samuel Leder, Hans Jakob Wagner, Achim Menges

Automatic Column Placement

CDRF 2023 – Phygital Intelligence | Tongji

Ekin Sila Sahin, Daniel Nunes Locatelli, Lui Orozco, Anna Krtschil, Hans Jakob Wagner, Achim Menges, Jan Knippers

Life Lamp: Connecting Design and People Through Emotion

eCAADe 2020 Anthropologic | Berlin

Daniel Nunes Locatelli, Leonardo Prazeres, Guilherme Giantini, Vitor Curti, Carlos Augusto Requena

Computational Design Strategies

Online

Daniel Nunes Locatelli

High-Low as Expression of the Brazilian Digital Fabrication

SIGRADI 2018 Technopolitics | São Carlos

Daniel Nunes Locatelli, Arthur Hunold Lara, Thiago Henrique Omena, Adalberto de Paula

Algorithmic Design for Traditional Bobbin Lace Methods

IASS 2017 | Hamburg

Daniel Nunes Locatelli, Arthur Hunold Lara, Thiago Henrique Omena, Ruy Marcelo de Oliveira Pauletti

Teaching Experience

Digital Futures 2026: Entre o Prompt e a Obra

Online

Talk

Talk on the journey from biomimicry to systems thinking and what's missing in AI for architecture: the perspective of a Brazilian architect trained and working in Germany.

Working with Geographic Data in Grasshopper

Munich University of Applied Sciences | Munich

Multi-scalar robotic fabrication system for on-site press gluing in multi-storey timber buildings

Forum Holzbau | Fellbach, Germany

Talk

In this talk we presented the results of our thesis project at the ITECH Master Program at the University of Stuttgart.

BuildSystems - Smart Sustainability Roadmaps

Graphisoft X - Online | Germany

Talk

Learn about Smart Sustainability Roadmaps that enable systemic process innovations in planning. Topics such as demand-oriented and circular design, energy efficiency, life-cycle assessment, certifications, funding, and Pre-BIM Modelling are covered.

Computational Architecture in Germany

UFT - Online | Palmas, Brazil

Talk

In this talk I presented the latest technologies in the computational design field in Germany, specially the ICD & ITKE at the University of Stuttgart and the company BuildSystems.

Computational Architecture in Germany

UFT, Online | Palmas, Brazil

Talk

In this talk I presented the main computational design technologies in Germany, especially the ICD & ITKE at the University of Stuttgart and the company BuildSystems, connecting that trajectory to my own path between Atelier Marko Brajovic, ITECH in Stuttgart, and industry in Munich.

Computational Architecture in Germany

Architecture and Urbanism course at IFPR | Online

Talk

Feasibility of Sustainable Construction

Munich Urban Colab | Munich, Germany

Pitch

A pitch at the Siemens RIE Munich Conference on how computational tools can generate data to make sense of sustainability in the construction industry — from urban analysis to life-cycle assessment.

Digital Futures 2023: Novos Hibridismos

YouTube - Online

Talk

This session, opening the DigitalFutures series in Portuguese, brings together different innovative practices within the scope of computational methodologies applied in architecture and design, where artificial intelligence, generative algorithms, parametric design, robotics manufacturing, materials science, and biomimetics are part of a hybrid repertoire.

IntCDC Master’s Thesis Grant 2021 Award Ceremony

IntCDC Status Seminar 2021 | Stuttgart, Germany

Pitch

Nature and Digital: Reproducing Natural Processes with Computational Design

PUC Minas - Online | Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Talk

In this talk, I presented my work, the idea of reproducing natural processes with computational design, and key points I learned during my recently concluded master thesis in Germany.

Round Table Debater

FAU-USP - Online | São Paulo, Brazil

Computational Design: Strategies

UNIP - Online | Brazil

Talk

Architecture + Biomimicry + Algorithm

IFRO Vilhena | Vilhena, Brazil

Talk

During my visit to my hometown, I proposed a lecture to the architecture and urbanism course of the Federal Institute of Rondônia - IFRO. I presented some works and research that I had done so far and discussed the future of the profession amid so many technological changes.

Models byNature 2.0

Atelier Marko Brajovic | São Paulo, Brazil

Workshop

The second edition of the Models byNature workshop expanded on the first with four Saturdays of parametric design with Grasshopper inspired by nature, covering form-finding experiments, computational modeling, and biomimetics at Atelier Marko Brajovic in São Paulo.

Models byNature 1.0

Atelier Marko Brajovic | São Paulo, Brazil

Workshop

This workshop sought to connect computational design practices with natural phenomena, addressing topics such as associative modeling, biomimetics and visual programming language.

Emotional Design and Technology

MOVELPAR | Arapongas, Brazil

Talk

A talk at MOVELPAR 2019, organized by SEBRAE, on how emotional design and technology intersect in contemporary furniture and product design.

Parametric Design Inspired by Nature

Museu de Arte Moderna | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Talk

A talk at Semana Design Rio 2018 exploring seven principles from nature applied to parametric design, with project case studies from Atelier Marko Brajovic.

Biomimetic Geometries

Tátil | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Adaptive Grasshopper Workshop

UNEMAT | Barra do Bugres, Brazil

Workshop

In addition to learning the basics of Grasshopper for Rhinoceros, participants were able to decide the direction of the course by choosing which computational design strategy to explore. In this case, they chose Exoskeleton.

A Decade After UNEMAT

UNEMAT | Barra do Bugres, Brazil

UNEMAT was the first university where I studied Architecture. Ten years after the beginning of my studies there, I presented this talk about my whole trajectory, from my university transfer to the FAU-USP, my work at Atelier Marko Brajovic, and my recent career shift, focusing more specifically on Computational Design and programming.

Tensegrity Workshop

Aldeia Rizoma | Paraty, Brazil

Workshop

A team-building workshop where we collectively built a tensegrity structure, discovering how the balance of forces in the structure mirrored our own collaborative dynamics.

Architecture + Biomimetics + Algorithm

Istituto Europeo di Design | São Paulo, Brazil

Talk

Grasshopper & Kangaroo Workshop

PortoFabLab | São Paulo, Brazil

Workshop

The students learned how to work with springs systems in order to simulate a cloth behavior

Private Revit Lessons

Private Tutoring | São Paulo, Brazil

Course

Revit lessons from the basic principles to advanced techniques.

Form-Finding with Grasshopper

II Structured Shell Meeting | São Paulo, Brazil

Talk