INAI+D
Interaction & Artificial Intelligence in Design Research Group

INAI+D is a research group exploring the intersection of interaction and AI within design at TETA Lab (Technology, Ecology and Design Research Laboratory). INAI+D team is composed of architects, landscape architects, urban designers, and engineers who focus on both human and nature-centered interactions in and through design to bridge the gap between society, technology, and ecology. How AI, along with our perception and cognition, informs and transforms the ways of designing and interacting, and how this exploration can be used to create more responsive, inclusive, and environmentally attuned spatial experiences are the core research questions of the group. 

Projects

Improving Post-Earthquake Resilience in University Campuses: A Design-Led Research on Adaptive Smart Furniture Solutions in Open Spaces, ITU Scientific research project supported by Higher Education Institutions (Project Code: MGA-2025-46580) (Project Executive)

Erasmus + BIP: a [TRH] Augmented Thresholds: Sustaining Architectural Heritage of Istanbul LandWalls (BIP Code: 2023-1-TR01-KA131-HED-000162406-1), (Contributor as Researcher) https://atrh.itu.edu.tr/

In[n]urban: Innovative Digital Approaches for Sustainable Urban Futures, (EU Erasmus+ EELISA European University Joint Project Funding) (Contributor as Researcher) www.innurban.com

HI-QUAKE: Highlights to Learn and Teach About Seismic Retrofit Following the Turkey and Syria 2023 Earthquake with the Aid of AI Features (EU Erasmus+ EELISA European University Joint Project Funding) (Contributor as Researcher)

Publications

Ozden S., Akçay Kavakoğlu, A., 2025. Integrating Mixed Reality Technologies in Design Education: A cognitive evaluation proposal, Proceedings of the 43st Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2025), Vol.2, Ankara, 3-5 September, pp. 603-612 (Conference Proceeding)

Karout, Ö.K., Akçay Kavakoğlu, A., Kahlous, A. 2024. Blurring the Line between AI and Architecture: Developing AI-powered Data-Driven Panels for Interactive Architectural Features, SIGraDi 2024 Bio digital Intelligent Systems, XXVIII International Conference of the Ibero-American Society of Digital Graphics-Proceedings, November 13th -15th, pp.1589-1598. (Conference Proceeding)

Özmutlu, B., Uzun, C., Akçay Kavakoğlu, A.,2024. ML-Based Speculative Queries of Anthropometric Spatial Transformations: The Case of Mythoskeleton, SIGraDi 2024 Bio digital Intelligent Systems, XXVIII International Conference of the Ibero-American Society of Digital Graphics-Proceedings, November 13th -15th, pp.2625-2636. (Conference Proceeding)

Karout, Ö.K., Akçay Kavakoğlu, A., 2024. Reimagining Pixels: Exploring Data-driven Panels to Enhance Human- Machine Interaction, 18th MSTAS Conference Proceedings, Balıkesir University Publications, pp.318-332. ISBN 978-975-6993-33-0 (Conference Proceeding)

Özmutlu, B., Akçay Kavakoğlu, A., 2024. Non-Verbal Communication Strategies in Robotic Design Approaches: The Case of Myco-morphosis, 18th MSTAS Conference Proceedings, Balıkesir University Publications, pp.563-585. ISBN 978-975-6993-33-0 (Conference Proceeding)

Rohani, N.S. Akcay Kavakoglu, A.,2023. “AI-Driven Spatial Adaptations Through Emotions: The case of Emo-Land as a human-centric approach”, Proceedings of the 41st Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2023), Vol.1, Graz, 20-23 September, pp. 889-898.

Samadi, M., Akçay Kavakoğlu, A., 2023. ML- Based Classification of Urban Voids: Case Study of Balat and Fener in Turkey, SPACE International Journal of Conference Proceedings, 3(1), 17-24., Doi: 10.51596/sijocp.v3i1.33

Akcay Kavakoglu, A., Almac, B., Eser, B. and Alacam, S. 2022. “AI Driven Creativity in Early Design Education - A pedagogical approach in the age of Industry 5.0”, Co-creating the Future: Inclusion in and through Design, 40th Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2022), Ghent, 13-16 September.

Presentations

Akçay Kavakoğlu, A., 2025. Crafting Interaction: From Design to Data, Erasmus + BIP: a [TRH], Virtual Activity No.4. (Seminar)

Akçay Kavakoğlu, A., Uzyıldırım, B. 2025. Parameter Identification to Enhance Disaster Resilience of Open Spaces through Smart Urban Furniture Design, In[n]urban EU Erasmus+ EElisa Project Part 2, Madrid, UPM. (Invited Speaker)

Akçay Kavakoğlu, A. 2023. An Overview on the AI-Driven Design Studies in Collaboration with TETA Lab at ITU, HI-QUAKE EElisa Project Part 1, Madrid, UPM. (Invited Speaker)

Akçay Kavakoğlu, A. 2023. Mekan ve Teknoloji Arakesitinde Etkileşim (Interaction inbetween Space and Technology), Ankara’nin Geleceği: Teknolojik Değişim ve Dijitalleşme Sürecinde Kent Mekanı Panel Ve Atölye Çalışmaları, Ankara Kent Konseyi, Ankara, Türkiye (Invited Speaker)

Workshops

2025 AI-driven Speculative Interactions, Erasmus + BIP: a [TRH] Augmented Thresholds: Sustaining Architectural Heritage of Istanbul LandWalls, Organizer, Workshop Execution

2025 In[n]urban Workshop: Future Campus with Climate Challenges: University Campus Life_ITU 2070, EELISA Project Workshop, Organizer, Workshop Execution

2024 Narrating Cultural Heritage via AI, 1st Adana Architecture Festival, Workshop Executor

2023 AI-Driven Visions: The post-earthquake retrofit and restructuring Workshop, HI-QUAKE Project Workshop Part 2, ITU, Istanbul, Turkey, Organizer, Workshop Executor

2023 An Overview on the AI-Driven Design Studies in Collaboration with Teta Lab ITU, HI-QUAKE Project Workshop Seminars Part 1, Madrid, Spain, Invited Speaker (International)

2022 Extraterrestrial Landscapes: Topographical Formations Workshop, ITU Faculty of Architecture, Workshop Organizer & Executor (National)