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Hosted at the HKS MADE space in Culver City, Calif., AECtech brought together AEC industry professionals for presentations, workshops, prototyping sessions, and collaborative discussions on emerging ideas and technologies reshaping how buildings are designed and delivered.
Watch the highlight reel and attendee interviews to get a firsthand look at the energy, experimentation, and collaboration that defined this year’s event:
For Zahner, participation in AECtech reflects an ongoing commitment to advancing conversations around design, engineering, fabrication, and material innovation. Throughout the event, the Zahner team engaged with industry peers by sharing knowledge, testing ideas, and providing thought leadership.
Exploring Connected Intelligence and Complex Geometry
As part of the symposium program, Zahner Lead Research and Development Engineer Burcin Nalinci presented on “Connected Systems, Shared Intelligence, and Better Designs.”
The presentation explored how advances in computational design, digital fabrication, and project coordination have dramatically reduced the cost and complexity of creating sophisticated geometry in architecture. At the same time, Nalinci highlighted the growing challenge of fragmented knowledge across disciplines, platforms, and project teams.
Photo © A. Zahner Company.
Photo © A. Zahner Company.
Photo © A. Zahner Company.
Coming to an event like this is really helpful because we’re able to see a lot of different perspectives, things that larger companies are doing, things that smaller companies are doing, and everything kind of in-between.
Jeffrey McGrew, Architect & AECtech + LA 2026 attendee
The presentation encouraged attendees to think beyond geometry alone and consider how greater connectivity between designers, fabricators, engineers, materials specialists, and builders can lead to more intelligent processes and better project outcomes.
In addition to introducing these broader themes, Nalinci’s presentation provided attendees with a preview of the concepts and experimentation that would be explored in greater depth in Zahner’s two hands-on workshops later in the event.
Hands-On Exploration Through Collaborative Workshops
One of the most valuable aspects of AECtech is its emphasis on learning through participation. Zahner’s workshops created opportunities for attendees to move beyond theory and engage directly with fabrication processes, material experimentation, and collaborative problem-solving.
Combinatorial Tooling: From Few Molds to Many Panels
Led by HKS Principal and Regional Practice Director James Warton, Zahner Robotics R&D Engineer III Ethan Kerber, and Burcin Nalinci, this workshop explored alternative approaches to hydroforming and panel fabrication.
Participants investigated how modular, reusable tooling systems can generate a wide variety of panel geometries from a limited number of interchangeable components. Through discussion, experimentation, and collaborative exploration, attendees examined how adaptable tooling strategies can expand design flexibility while reducing fabrication constraints.
The session generated thoughtful conversations about customization, efficiency, and new approaches to architectural metal fabrication.
Selective Patina: Programmable Surface Design
The second workshop, led by HKS LINE Regional Practice Director Tim Logan, Zahner Project Engineer II Dan Rothbart, and Burcin Nalinci, focused on the relationship between fabrication processes and architectural expression.
Participants explored how variables such as toolpaths, motion control, chemical reactions, and application techniques can influence surface appearance and material character. By treating fabrication processes as active design inputs, attendees experienced firsthand how identical geometries can produce dramatically different visual outcomes.
The workshop fostered hands-on experimentation and idea-sharing among participants while demonstrating how fabrication itself can serve as a creative design tool.
Collaboration Across Disciplines
Throughout the four-day event, which culminated in a Hackathon over the last two days, attendees actively shared ideas, challenged assumptions, and explored new approaches to design and construction. The level of engagement and interaction among participants highlighted one of AECtech’s greatest strengths: bringing together professionals from different disciplines to learn from one another and solve problems collaboratively.
For the Zahner team, the event reinforced the importance of connecting multiple disciplines and capabilities early in the process. The workshops and relationships built during AECtech reflected a shared commitment to pushing the industry forward through experimentation, innovation, and collaboration.
Photo © A. Zahner Company.
