Chung-Ang University Hackathon Explores Sustainable Urban Facades with Gaudí Foundation

Chung-Ang University's Graduate School of Virtual Convergence, in partnership with Spain's Gaudí Foundation and SERA Inc., successfully hosted the 'Gaudí Digital Architecture: Origin8 Hackathon 2026' on July 30. This event, held at the university's Daeshin Hall, is the second edition in the 'Metaverse x Nature' series, organized as part of the 'Back to the Origins' campaign celebrating the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's death.

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The purpose of this event was to reflect on what the next generation of digital architects needs in the AI era – not 'generation' but 'origination' – just as Gaudí learned architecture from nature 100 years ago.

The hackathon aimed to foster innovative ideas for sustainable media facades that promote the coexistence of urban and natural environments, proposing future urban landscapes through AI and digital technologies. The collaboration with the Gaudí Foundation and its Originate Institute added significant international weight to the program, with support also coming from the Korea Intelligent Information Society Promotion Agency (NIA) and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP).

Participants, comprising over 40 students from Chung-Ang University, formed eight teams to tackle the challenge of redesigning neglected urban spaces into media facades that give back to their locations, people, and nature. The core axes of their designs were 'Nature', reconnecting spaces with natural systems; 'Meaning', pursuing genuine interaction over spectacle; and 'Belonging', rooted in specific places and communities. All outcomes were guided by the Origin8 methodology's core values: Origins, Design, Humanism, and Sustainability.

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Students not only imitated Gaudí's philosophy but also found their own 'origins' within the city of Seoul and heritage like Sungnyemun Gate, which was impressive. We will continue to support the work of the next generation architects who connect nature, cities, and technology.

The winning team, 'Strongest IRIS,' comprising Kim Hyun-wook, Cha Ji-min, Kang Sung-hoon, and Kim Chang-soo, received the grand prize for their concept. They focused on Seoul's historic Sungnyemun Gate, proposing a media facade that visually projects its history, from its construction in 1398, through its destruction by fire in 2008, to its restoration in 2013, directly onto the gate itself. Awarded works will be exhibited at the Uncommon Gallery in Samseong-dong, Seoul, until August 22, offering the public a chance to experience the potential of future cities, sustainable architecture, and AI-driven content.

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Through this collaboration, we saw great potential as students used technology to add new meaning to our city's heritage and nature. We plan to continue this series with the Gaudí Foundation and Chung-Ang University and expand international projects for sustainable cities with more participants and partners.