MESH IS ART
Geometry is the intersection of architecture and structure. -- Bill Baker; Keynote Speech in IASS 2015 Amsterdam
Algorithm Product Expert at UNICUS | Computational Designer | Software Developer
Google Scholar | ResearchGate | GitHub | Linkedin | ORCID
Email: zhi.li@maic.fun
Dr. Zhi "Albert" Li has an interdisciplinary academic background, blending fine arts and engineering. His research focuses on designing and constructing innovative structures through topology optimization and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Albert earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Environmental Design from Tianjin University, China, in 2018. From 2018 to 2019, he served as a core software developer, contributing to the development of Ameba, a Rhino-Grasshopper-based topology optimization software. In October 2024, he received his Ph.D. degree from RMIT University with a thesis entitled "Interactive structural topology optimisation considering subjective preferences". In September 2024, he commenced as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials (CISM), working under the supervision of Emeritus Professor Mike Xie (ARC Laureate Fellowship project). In September 2025, he joined UNICUS as an Algorithm Product Expert, focusing on the development of AI-driven products.
With a strong foundation in full-stack software development, Albert has created several impactful tools, including Legolizer, iBESO, VR-BESO, and TouchBESO. His achievements include the Honorable Mention Award of the Best Paper on CAD/Graphics 2025, the Postgraduate Research Excellence Award 2024, the DNA Paris Design Award 2024, the third prize in the International 3D Printing and Design Competition in 2020, the DigitalFUTURES Coding Award in 2020, and the third prize in the National Universities Bamboo Design and Construction Competition in 2017.
