Department of Architecture Lecture
University of Hong Kong (HKU)
Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
26/09/2024
Carlo Ratti 0 loves cities and the built environment. Ranked as one of the top ten most-cited scholars in urban planning and one of the leading designers in America, he focuses on intelligent systems and the convergence between the natural and artificial worlds. Recently nominated curator of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, he aims to foster a public conversation 1 on our urban habitat, starting from his work at the intersection between academic research 2, innovative design 3, and start-up entrepreneurship 4.
Public conversation
Carlo’s opinions on cities, technology, and the future are contributing to a global conversation. Follow his hottest takes across the pages of his books, opinion essays, interviews, and social media.
(1.1) Latest OP–EDs
(1.2) Latest Books
Atlas of the Senseable City
Read it Now
The City of Tomorrow: Sensors, Networks, Hackers, and the Future of Urban Life
Read it Now
Open Source Architecture
Read it Now
Decoding the City: Urbanism in the Age of Big Data
Read it Now
Architettura Open Source
Read it Now
Senseable City Guide
Read it Now(1.4) Social Media
Flipping open a digitally fabricated bivouac, designed by CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati (@crassociati) in collaboration with Salone del Mobile.Milano (@isaloniofficial) ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, featured in Interni Magazine (@internimagazine)’s January–February issue dedicated to Sport & Design.
The bivouac’s glass wall offers a meditative view of the surrounding Alps. Beyond its function as a shelter, the structure provides a temporary sanctuary—a place for reflection, rest, and connection to nature.
#CRACarloRattiAssociati #SaloneDelMobile #Interni #Design #SportandDesign #CircularDesign #Sustainability #Bivouac #CRA
Open
The Speakers’ Corner at Biennale Architettura (@labiennale) became a stage for the Dance Corps of the Rome Opera Theatre during Teatro La Fenice’s (@teatrolafenice) Concerto di Capodanno 2026.
A space dedicated to dialogue, workshops and respite throughout the Exhibition now reactivated through movement for the New Year’s concert.
#BiennaleArchitettura2025 #IntelliGens @raicultura @crassociati @johnstonmarklee @christopherhawthorne @flor_ness
The Speakers’ Corner was supported by Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Kartell, COIMA, UIC University of Illinois Chicago, Deborah Berke, and Yale School of Architecture, Sidara, City of Amsterdam, Veneta Cucine, Buzzi, Fondazione Modena
Wood Panels provided by technical supporter Saviola (@grupposaviola).
Open
A decade in and we’re just getting started.
We’re proud to continue our collaboration with @ams_institute, building on years of joint research—including the iconic @roboat.tech project, now its own startup—as we head into the next five years of big ideas, big data, and urban innovation.
#amsterdam #researchcommunity #mit
Open
Yesterday in Turin, the Olympic Torch returned to familiar streets, carried by its designer Carlo Ratti as the relay continued on the path to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
Designed to step back and let the flame take center stage, the torch embodies a radical idea of subtraction, where the object exists only to support what truly matters.
“The most powerful symbols are strongest when they let something else shine.”
Born from the vision of Versalis (Official Supporter of the Games), the torch was designed by CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati and engineered by Cavagna Group.
@milanocortina2026 #MilanoCortina2026 #TorchRelay2026 #OlympicGames #Torino
Open
Today, the Olympic Torch returns to familiar ground, with Carlo Ratti carrying the flame through Torino as it continues its journey toward the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. 🔥
@milanocortina2026 @olympics #MilanoCortina2026 #TorchRelay2026 #OlympicGames #Torino
Open
Cast your vote in support of AquaPraça, which has been shortlisted for World Architect’s Building of the Year 2025, and be part of its ongoing voyage!
Designed by CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati (@crassociati) and Höweler + Yoon (@howeleryoonarchitecture), AquaPraça has already had quite a journey—from the Venice Architecture Biennale, to a full-scale debut in Venice, then 7,500 miles by sea to Belém, Brazil, where it now floats as a public space for COP30.
If you believe architecture must be adaptable in the face of climate, all while bringing people together, this one is worth your vote!
Voting closes Saturday, January 31, 2026, and the winner will be announced on February 3. For more information and to vote, see the link in bio.
@ciheam_bari @connect4climate @italymfa @mase_it @bloombergdotorg @cop30nobrasil
In partnership with Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy’s Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, AquaPraça was made possible thanks to a broad international coalition. AquaPraça will be donated by Italy to Brazil after COP30, becoming a permanent community space dedicated to climate engagement, cultural initiatives, and creative industries in partnership with the State of Pará.
#CarloRatti #HowelerYoon #AquaPraça #COP30 #ClimateAction #FloatingArchitecture #PublicSpace #DesignForChange #Belém #VeniceBiennale #BiennaleArchitettura2025 #Intelligens #ArchitectureAndClimate #CollectiveDesign @worldarchitects_official
Open
Academic research
How can we use new tools to uncover our cities’ hidden secrets? Our team at the MIT Senseable City Lab is publishing new findings all the time. Read on for some of our latest discoveries…
(2.1) Latest papers
Sustainable Cities and Society
Scientific Reports
npj Urban Sustainability
Scientific Reports
Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science
Martin Beech (ed.) Geoengineering and Climate Change: Methods, Risks, and Governance (Scrivener), and Governance (Scrivener), Martin Beech (ed.) Geoengineering and Climate Change: Methods, Risks
(2.2) Teaching roles
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2007-present
Professor of the Practice of Urban Technologies
MIT International Science andTechnology Initiatives (MISTI) 2009-present
Director
Politecnico di Milano 2022-present
Distinguished Professor
TTUP Tashkent 2023-present
Honorary Professor
University of Cambridge 2017-2019
Visiting Research Fellow
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology 2017-2019
Visiting Professor
Cambridge, United States
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Innovative design
A pavilion with walls of water. A skyscraper covered in plants. A renewable energy battery that doubles as a sauna. Carlo’s design firm, CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati, is designing the city of tomorrow and bringing the natural and artificial worlds together.
Start–up entrepreneurship
Carlo believes that innovation has to make it into the real world – and we have created an ecosystem of startups. We have received more than 500 million dollars to fund multiple projects internationally, in the field of micro-mobility, leisure, and construction.
