Topic: Symbiotic Design: AI-Driven Fluid Modeling in Maya
Date: July 5 – 6, 2025
Time: 13:00 – 17:00 GMT
Format: Online on Zoom
Duration: 2 Sessions (8 Hours)
Course Fee: Free for Digital Members
Registration Deadline: July 4th, 2025
Total Seats: 50 seats
Difficulty: Beginner – Intermediate
Language: English
Certificate: Yes
Organized By: PAACADEMY
Tutor: Chhavi Mehta
Recordings: Recordings will be available for all participants afterward indefinitely.
Introduction to Symbiotic Design:
Symbiotic Workflow is an intensive weekend workshop that explores the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and 3D modeling in architectural design. Tailored for architects and designers, this course introduces a seamless workflow where AI and manual fluid modeling work in harmony, enhancing, not replacing, one another.
This hands-on workshop takes participants through a complete visual process from concept to model to motion, using Maya for modelling fluid architectural typologies, Midjourney for AI-driven ideation and rendering, and Runway for cinematic animation.
This workshop will explore how AI is reshaping architectural workflows from early design exploration to visual storytelling, and how leading design practices use these tools to elevate their design process.
By the end of this workshop, each participant will produce a short video showcasing a fluid 3D design conceived in Maya, evolved with AI, and brought to life through animation, using this unique AI + 3D workflow.
The Scope of Symbiotic Design:
This workshop explores the design, modelling, and visualisation of fluid, sculptural architectural forms through a hybrid process that blends artificial intelligence with manual 3D modeling. The focus is on experimental, expressive outcomes that move beyond traditional architectural approaches. Participants will not only learn how to model in Autodesk Maya from scratch but also explore how AI can act as a design collaborator, making their workflows faster, more efficient, and more imaginative.
This workshop will begin in Autodesk Maya with guided live demonstrations and a series of 3d modeling exercises that gradually increase in complexity. These sessions are focused on helping participants develop confidence in creating fluid architectural forms.
Participants will be introduced to Midjourney, starting with the basics of how the platform works. They will then use it as a collaborative tool, generating a range of variations based on their 3D models. These AI-generated visuals will serve as inspiration to refine and evolve their designs in Maya.
Once the models are finalized, participants will return to Midjourney to render their designs. The final stage of the workshop brings these rendered outputs into Runway, where participants will learn how to create cinematic video animations that bring their architectural visions to life.
Key Learning Topics:
- Use AI as a tool for design ideation and form exploration
- Modelling of 3D forms using Autodesk Maya
- Create atmospheric visuals and animations using Runway
- Rendering in Midjourney
- Produce a cinematic video of your architectural design
- Understand how AI is being integrated into real-world architectural workflows
Program:
Day 1
Introduction & Overview
- Welcome & objectives
- Introduction to my work and how I use AI and Maya in my design process
- References: AI in current architectural practices
- Workflow overview: AI + 3D modeling + video
Introduction to Maya
- Overview of Autodesk Maya interface
- Basic Modeling Exercise: Step-by-step modeling demo to build familiarity with tools and workflows in Maya
- Live Modelling Exercise
Day 2
Basics of Midjourney
- Introduction to Midjourney
- Writing architectural prompts and refining them
- Hands-on Exercises: Each participant generates a series of conceptual images
- Live feedback and direction on each participant’s outputs
- Interpreting AI visuals and identifying key modeling strategies
- Review and feedback on each participant’s Midjourney outputs
Detailing 3d models in Maya
Maya Scene Setup & View Exports
- Setting up cameras and scenes in Maya
- Exporting stills for rendering
Rendering with Midjourney
- Live demonstration of using the Midjourney editor
- Demonstration of how to render with images exported from Maya
- Participants begin rendering with support and feedback
- Guidance on refining results for animation
Introduction to Runway
- Overview of Runway’s video tools and interface
Animating with Runway
- Participants take their rendered images into Runway
- Real-time help and feedback on cinematic animation outputs
Final Showcase and Questions
- Group viewing of the final short videos
- Feedback / Q&A
Software
Workshop Notes:
- Please ensure you have all the software installed before the workshop starts. Software installation is NOT a part of the workshop.
- Please double-check that Maya is installed and working on your machine before the workshop starts.
Instructor:
Chhavi Mehta
Chhavi Mehta is an architect and designer practicing between the UK and India, focusing on experimental design at the intersection of architecture, art, and emerging technologies. She holds a Master’s in Architecture and Urbanism from the AADRL at the Architectural Association, where she was part of the Cyber-Urban Incubator led by Patrik Schumacher. She has over six years of professional experience in London, including her time at Zaha Hadid Architects, where she worked on international projects across architecture, interiors, product design, and the metaverse.
Her design language is rooted in fluid, sculptural forms, developed through complex parametric modeling, with Autodesk Maya as her primary tool. Chhavi also holds a Master’s in Advanced Architectural Design from Oxford Brookes University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Bath.
With over three years of teaching experience, she conducts workshops and talks on AI in architecture, fluid 3D modeling, and digital fabrication, focusing on how emerging technologies are reshaping workflows and pushing design beyond the limits of conventional architecture across both physical and digital environments.
Important Notes:
- The “Symbiotic Design: AI-Driven Fluid Modeling in Maya” Studio workshop by PAACADEMY will start at 13:00 (GMT) on Saturday, July 5th, 2025.
- Total sessions: 2 Sessions
- The teaching duration per session will be 4 hours.
- Students will have time for a break between teaching hours.
- Each session and the entire studio will be recorded, and videos will be available for participants just a day after the class for unlimited time.
- PAACADEMY will provide a certificate of attendance.
- The studio has limited seats. Tickets are non-transferable & non-refundable. Please read carefully before you register.
Topic: Symbiotic Design: AI-Driven Fluid Modeling in Maya
Date: July 5 – 6, 2025
Time: 13:00 – 17:00 GMT
Format: Online on Zoom
Duration: 2 Sessions (8 Hours)
Course Fee: Free for Digital Members
Registration Deadline: July 4th, 2025
Total Seats: 50 seats
Difficulty: Beginner – Intermediate
Language: English
Certificate: Yes
Organized By: PAACADEMY
Tutor: Chhavi Mehta
Recordings: Recordings will be available for all participants afterward indefinitely.
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