Smart Cities Need Smarter Design Education: Insights from Sushant Verma’s First TEDx Talk (from 2016)

In his first TEDx appearance at TEDxGurugram, Sushant Verma delivered a compelling talk titled "Smart Cities Need Smarter Design Education," challenging the audience to rethink how we approach innovation and education in India. This talk, presented in 2016, remains a relevant and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between parametric design, computational design, and smart urban solutions, as Verma laid the foundation for fostering a smarter future through data-driven design methodologies.

Breaking the Illusion: The State of Design in India

Opening with a satirical take on the state of Indian cities, Verma painted an exaggerated picture of advanced infrastructure, pollution-free environments, and futuristic education systems — only to reveal that these were aspirations, not realities. This jarring introduction underscored India’s critical challenges in urban planning, sustainable architecture, and parametric architecture. According to Verma, the root cause lies in outdated design processes, lack of computational design integration, and an education system that fails to embrace the advancements in architecture and technology.

India’s urban design faces challenges such as poorly planned road networks, inefficient buildings, and insufficient space for pedestrians. Verma argues that embracing computational design, generative algorithms, and parametric techniques can address these issues effectively. He emphasized the importance of creating solutions tailored to India’s unique challenges rather than mimicking approaches from other countries.

The Role of Technology in Transformation

At the heart of Verma’s argument is the notion that technology in architecture is not just about tools like 3D modeling software or digital fabrication, but about smart workflows and automation-driven approaches that solve real-world problems. Drawing parallels with tech giants like Google, Tesla, and Facebook, Verma highlighted how these companies have revolutionized their fields by leveraging data-driven technologies and artificial intelligence in design.

Verma introduced the concept of computational technologies as a transformative force in architecture and urban design. By processing vast amounts of data and employing precise algorithms, parametric architects can solve complex problems with unprecedented efficiency. Examples included self-adapting facades and smart shading systems that respond to heat and light using shape-memory alloys — projects that Verma himself has pioneered with his team at rat[LAB], one of the best computational design studios in India. Read more about our computational design projects here.

Smart Design for Smart Cities

Verma’s talk featured a range of futuristic architecture examples that demonstrated the power of generative design and computational tools. From Google’s transformable meeting spaces to Achim Menges’ humidity-responsive wooden apertures, he showcased how design can adapt to environmental factors intelligently. Verma also shared insights from his own work, such as algorithms capable of generating and analyzing millions of parametric facade designs in real-time, optimizing for daylight conditions and energy efficiency. Explore parametric facade design projects by rat[LAB] here.

Importantly, Verma argued that true innovation in smart cities begins with smarter design education. He criticized India’s current approach to smart city planning, claiming it relied on obsolete methodologies lacking parametric and computational design thinking. Instead, he advocated for integrating algorithmic design workflows into architectural education, enabling young designers to predict building performance, structural efficiency, and material sustainability during the conceptual stage. This vision aligns closely with rat[LAB]’s computational design education initiatives like Smart Labs.

Watch Smart Labs 1.0 Exhibition Showcase for a glimpse!

A Call for Bottom-Up Innovation

Verma’s solution to India’s design challenges was clear: focus on empowering young architects and designers. He emphasized the potential of a bottom-up approach, where students and professionals are equipped with cutting-edge computational tools, digital fabrication techniques, and artificial intelligence in architecture. By nurturing future leaders who are unafraid to experiment with parametric workflows, the industry can evolve faster and more effectively.

As an example of this approach, Verma highlighted workshops conducted by rat[LAB], a global leader in computational design and parametric architecture that have trained over 300 young architects in generative and algorithmic design methodologies. These workshops serve as parallel education systems bridging the gap between traditional architecture curriculums and the evolving needs of the digital design industry. Discover how Smart Labs is shaping the future of architecture education.

Watch Smart Labs 9.0 Exhibition Showcase for a glimpse!

The Future is Now

One of the most striking aspects of Verma’s talk was his insistence that the future of architecture is already here. The technologies he described—from robotic fabrication to parametric skyscraper designs—are not hypothetical but active components of digital transformation in architecture. Verma’s call to action was simple yet profound: stop labeling these advancements as futuristic and start implementing them today.

To illustrate this point further, Verma discussed rat[LAB]’s ongoing research in biomimetic facades and responsive architecture. For instance, he mentioned a climate-responsive facade system developed by his team that morphs dynamically to regulate heat and light without external energy input. These innovations showcase how computational tools are revolutionizing sustainable architecture. Check out some of rat[LAB]’s latest parametric design projects.

He concluded with a powerful reminder: smart cities can only be built by smart people. By focusing on design innovation, automation, and technology-driven workflows, we can ensure a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.

Why This Talk Matters Today

Nearly a decade after its delivery, Verma’s first TEDx talk remains a landmark discourse on parametric architecture, smart city innovation, and computational design in India. It resonates with ongoing discussions about how AI-driven architecture and digital fabrication can revolutionize not just urban planning but also construction, environmental sustainability, and mass customization in design. As rat[LAB] continues to lead in parametric design, this talk serves as a testament to the studio’s vision of pushing boundaries and redefining architectural possibilities. Read more about rat[LAB]’s impact on computational design.

Explore the Full Talk

To dive deeper into Sushant Verma’s insights on smart cities, parametric architecture, and computational design, watch his first TEDx talk on YouTube. Discover how parametric workflows and technology-driven education can transform the future of architecture and urban development.