Dr Dan Luo
Senior Lecturer in Architectural Design (Foundation Skills)
School of Architecture, Design and Planning
+61 7 334 61205
Researcher biography
Dr Dan Luo is a designer and architectural researcher with a strong foundation in computer science. She earned a PhD in Architecture from Tsinghua University (2019), Master of Architecture from Columbia University (2014), and an MSc in Computer and Information Technology at the University of Pennsylvania(2023).
Dr Luo's scholarship centers on digital design and robotic construction. After practicing at the pioneering firm UNStudio, she has focused on integrating advanced fabrication technologies with design build workflows to envision the future of automated construction. Her work has been published in leading journals and conference proceedings, and the robotic systems she developed have been deployed on active building sites.
Dr Luo is also a key researcher within the ARC Advance Timber Hub, Blue Economy CRC, Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre, and Transport Academic Partnership Project, leading projects with public agencies and academic partners. Her extensive collaborations span international networks of partners. Her projects have been exhibited at the Milan Triennial, the Architecture Center New York, and the China Millennium Monument. From 2014 to 2019, she served as Director of International Collaboration for the China Building Centre, where she curated international design competitions and educational programs for universities, developers, and government agencies.
Publications
Book Chapters
Liu, Jie, Hu, Hanyang, Xu, Weiguo and Luo, Dan (2023). Internet of things challenges and future scope for enhanced living environments. Advances in Computers. (pp. 1-46) San Diego, CA, United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/bs.adcom.2023.10.007
Liu, Jie, Luo, Dan, Fu, Xinyi, Lu, Qi and Kang, Karen Yixin (2023). Design strategy of multimodal perception system for smart environment. Internet of Things for smart environments. (pp. 93-115) edited by Gonçalo Marques and Alfonso González-Briones. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-09729-4_6
Kumar, B. Bala Murali, Hsueh, Yun Chung, Xin, Zhuoyang and Luo, Dan (2022). Process and evaluation of automated robotic fabrication system for in-situ structure confinement. Proceedings of the 2021 DigitalFUTURES: the 3rd International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF 2021). (pp. 368-379) edited by Philip F. Yuan, Hua Chai, Chao Yan and Neil Leach. Singapore, Singapore: Springer . doi: 10.1007/978-981-16-5983-6_34
Luo, Dan and Yu, Lei (2021). From factory to site — designing for industrial robots used in on-site construction. Automating cities: design, construction, operation and future impact. (pp. 87-109) edited by Brydon T. Wang and C. M. Wang. Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-8670-5_4
Yu, Lei, Luo, Dan and Xu, Weiguo (2019). Dynamic robotic slip-form casting and eco-friendly building façade design. Robotic Fabrication in Architecture, Art and Design 2018. (pp. 422-433) edited by Jan Willmann, Philippe Block, Marco Hutter, Kendra Byrne and Tim Schork. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-92294-2_32
Journal Articles
Xin, Zhuo-Yang, Zhu, Guan-Qi, Gattas, Joseph M. and Luo, Dan (2025). Automated large-scale additive manufacturing of structural formwork with rapid fibre-reinforced polymer tape lamination. Automation in Construction, 171 105978, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2025.105978
Xin, Zhuoyang, Zhu, Guanqi, Hsueh, Yun Chung and Luo, Dan (2024). Novel additive lamination manufacturing system for rapid fabrication of large-scale reinforced structural members. Rapid Prototyping Journal, 30 (10), 2161-2173. doi: 10.1108/rpj-01-2024-0020
Bahremandi-Tolou, Mahnaz, Wang, Chenhao, Gattas, Joseph M. and Luo, Dan (2024). Curved surface form-finding with self-shaping perforated plates. Architectural Intelligence, 3 (1) 17. doi: 10.1007/s44223-024-00059-y
Yang, Qing, Cao, Chu-Fan, Li, Hai-Miao, Qiu, Wai-Shan, Li, Wen-Jing and Luo, Dan (2023). Is greenery green? An analytical comparison between the planned, visual, and perceived green. International Journal of Architectural Computing, 21 (3), 498-515. doi: 10.1177/14780771231178887
Song, Qiwei, Dou, Zhiyi, Qiu, Waishan, Li, Wenjing, Wang, Jingsong, van Ameijde, Jeroen and Luo, Dan (2023). The evaluation of urban spatial quality and utility trade-offs for Post-COVID working preferences: a case study of Hong Kong. Architectural Intelligence, 2 (1) 1, 1-16. doi: 10.1007/s44223-022-00020-x
Song, Qiwei, Luo, Dan, Li, Meikang, Gong, Pixin, Qiu, Waishan and Li, Wenjing (2023). The influence of perceived landscape qualities on economic vitality: a case study of a retail coffee chain. Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture, 2023 (8), 463-475. doi: 10.14627/537740049
Wang, Brydon , Bao, Ding Wen , Ward, Selina and Luo, Dan (2022). Opportunities for further development of 3D-printed floating artificial reefs. Journal of Aquaculture and Marine Biology, 11 (2), 58-63. doi: 10.15406/jamb.2022.11.00337
Xu, Xiang, Qiu, Waishan, Li, Wenjing, Liu, Xun, Zhang, Ziye, Li, Xiaojiang and Luo, Dan (2022). Associations between street-view perceptions and housing prices: subjective vs. objective measures using computer vision and machine learning techniques. Remote Sensing, 14 (4) 891, 891. doi: 10.3390/rs14040891
Ou, Ya, Bao, Ding-Wen, Zhu, Guan-Qi and Luo, Dan (2021). Additive fabrication of large-scale customizable formwork using robotic fiber-reinforced polymer winding. 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, 9 (2), 109-121. doi: 10.1089/3dp.2020.0358
Luo, Dan and Xu, Weiguo (2021). Adaptable Method for Dynamic Planning of 3D Spatial Wireframes Extrusion with Neural Networks and Robotic Automation. 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, 9 (4), 1-13. doi: 10.1089/3dp.2020.0176
Luo, Dan, Chen, Dechen, Wang, Jingsong, Zhu, Guanqi and Xu, Weiguo (2020). The smart robot crafting approach to computing materials. Construction Robotics, 4 (3-4), 239-249. doi: 10.1007/s41693-020-00040-x
Yu, Lei and Luo, Dan (2018). Mesh optimisation for spatial wireframe robotic 3D printing. International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing, 7 (2/3), 169-185. doi: 10.1504/IJRAPIDM.2018.092904
Conference Papers
Boyter-Grant, Kelton, Xin, Zhouyang, Bao, Ding Wen, Yan, Xin and Luo, Dan (2024). Weaving tectonics: algorithmically optimised robotic FRP weaving of large scale planar forms. 5th International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF 2023), Shanghai, China, 24 June 2023. Singapore, Singapore: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-8405-3_39
Zang, Beibei, Wang, Tianjun and Luo, Dan (2024). The embodied interaction with XR metaverse space based on pneumatic actuated structures. 5th International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF 2023), Shanghai, China, 24 June 2023. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-8405-3_16
Xin, Zhuoyang, Zhu, Guanqi and Luo, Dan (2023). Rapid fabrication system for large-scale free-form double curved shell. IASS 2023, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 10 – 14 July 2023. Madrid, Spain: International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS).
Zhu, Guanqi, Zhou, Xinyi, Zhang, Jun, Liu, Guogang, Hao, Shimeng and Luo, Dan (2023). Automatic robotic construction for customisable rammed earth walls. 28th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA), Ahmedabad, India, 18 - 24 March 2023. Hong Kong, Hong Kong: CAADRIA. doi: 10.52842/conf.caadria.2023.2.109
Chen, Bowen, Lao, Pui Kuan, Dou, Zhiyi, Qiu, Wai-Shan and Luo, Dan (2023). Analyst patterns of influence between a commercial distribution and neighbourhood dynamic in a residential neighbourhood. 28th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA), Ahmedabad, India, 18 - 24 March 2023. Hong Kong, Hong Kong: CAADRIA. doi: 10.52842/conf.caadria.2023.1.525
Dou, Zhiyi, Qiu, Waishan, Li, Wenjing and Luo, Dan (2023). Evaluation Process of Urban Spatial Quality and Utility Trade-Off for Post-COVID Working Preferences. 4th International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF 2022), Shanghai, China, 27 June - 5 July 2022. Singapore: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-8637-6_19
Toohey, Gabrielle, Nguyen, Tommy Bao-Nghi, Vilppola, Ritva, Qiu, Waishan, Li, Wenjing and Luo, Dan (2022). Data-driven evaluation of streets to plan for bicycle friendly environments: a case study of Brisbane suburbs. 27th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 9 – 15 April 2022. Hong Kong: The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA). doi: 10.52842/conf.caadria.2022.1.243
Xin, Zhuoyang, Luo, Dan, Zhu, Guanqi, Ni, Eryu and Tang, Chongyi (2022). Adaptive robotic fiber winding system for multiple types of optimized structural components. 27th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 9 – 15 April 2022. Hong Kong: The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA),\.
Yang, Qing, Cao, Chufan, Li, Hai-miao, Qiu, Waishan, Li, Wenjing and Luo, Dan (2022). Quantifying the coherence and divergence of planned, visual and perceived streets greening to inform ecological urban planning. 27th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 9 – 15 April 2022. Hong Kong: The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA). doi: 10.52842/conf.caadria.2022.1.565
Aman, Jayedi, Matisziw, Timothy C., Kim, Jong Bum and Luo, Dan (2022). Sensing the City: Leveraging geotagged social media posts and street view imagery to model urban streetscapes using deep neural networks. 27th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 9 – 15 April 2022. Hong Kong: Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia. doi: 10.52842/conf.caadria.2022.1.595
Su, Nanxi, Qiu, Waishan, Li, Wenjing and Luo, Dan (2022). Quantifying Association Between Street-Level Urban Features and Crime Distribution Around Manhattan Subway Entrances. 18th International Conference of Advanced Data Mining and Applications, ADMA 2022, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 28–30 November 2022. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-22064-7_18
Song, Qiwei, Li, Meikang, Qiu, Waishan, Li, Wenjing and Luo, Dan (2022). The Coherence and Divergence Between the Objective and Subjective Measurement of Street Perceptions for Shanghai. 18th International Conference of Advanced Data Mining and Applications, ADMA 2022, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 28–30 November 2022. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-22064-7_19
Luo, Dan, Gattas, Joseph M. and Tan, Poah Shiun Shawn (2021). Real-time defect recognition and optimized decision making for structural timber jointing. 2nd International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF 2020), Shanghai, China, July 5, 2020. Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-33-4400-6_4
Guanqizhu, , Ou, Ya, Bao, Dingwen and Luo, Dan (2021). Robotic weaving of customizable frp formworks for large-scale optimized structure. 26th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, CAADRIA 2021, Hong Kong, China, 29 March-1 April 2021. Hong Kong, China: The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA).
Zhou, Xinjie, Wang, Xiang, Luo, Dan and Yuan, Philip (2020). Pattern Recognition and Prediction of Bending-active Thin Sheets via Artificial Neural Networks. IASS 2020/21 Surrey Symposium: Active bending, Barcelona, Spain, 23-27 August 2020. Madrid, Spain: International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS).
Xu, Weiguo, Luo, Dan and Gao, Yuan (2019). Automatic brick masonry system and its application in on-site construction. 24th International Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia: Intelligent and Informed, CAADRIA 2019, Wellington, New Zealand, 15-18 April 2019. Hong Kong: Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA).
Chen, Dechen, Luo, Dan, Xu, Weiguo, Luo, Chen, Yan, Xia, Shen, Liren and Wang, Tianjun (2019). Re-perceive 3D printing with Artificial Intelligence. Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe and XXIII Iberoamerican Society of Digital Graphics, Joint Conference, Porto, Portugal, 11-13 September 2019. São Paulo, Brazil: Editora Blucher. doi: 10.5151/proceedings-ecaadesigradi2019_034
Liu, Jie, Ma, Hongtao, Tang, Ning, Xu, Weiguo and Luo, Dan (2018). Kinetair: Interactive stairs with multiple functions. Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Beijing, China, 17-19 May 2018. Hong Kong: The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA).
Luo, Dan, Wang, Jingsong and Xu, Weiguo (2018). Applied automatic machine learning process for material computation. International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Lodz, Poland, 17-21 September 2018. Lodz, Poland: eCAADe and Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology.
Luo, Dan, Wang, Jinsong and Xu, Weiguo (2018). Robotic automatic generation of performance model for non-uniform linear material via deep learning. CAADRIA 2018 - 23rd International Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia: Learning, Prototyping and Adapting, Beijing, China, 17-19 May 2018. Hong Kong: Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA).
Zhang, Pengyu, Xu, Weiguo, Huang, Weixin, Zhu, Yufeng, Dai, Rui and Luo, Dan (2017). Generative design based on sponge spicules' forms. International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA), Suzhou, China, 5-8 April 2017. Hong Kong: The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA).
Creative Work
Luo, Dan, Bao, Dingwen and Xin, Zhuoyang (2022). Weaving Tectonics - structural performance-based carbon fibre weaving installations
. Melbourne, Australia: NGV Melbourne Design Week 2022.