Hua Chai

 

Position	Assistant Professor
Phone	805.756.1316
Email	huchai@calpoly.edu
Office	21-219A

Areas of Expertise

Computational Form-finding
Structural Design 
Parametric Design
Digital Fabrication
Web Design

Profile

Hua Chai is an Assistant Professor at Cal Poly, specializing in computational form-finding and digital fabrication. His research develops structurally efficient systems that optimize performance-to-material ratios through integrated digital-to-physical workflows, bridging conceptual design and fabrication-ready solutions for sustainable construction. His work explores the intersection of computational geometry, structural engineering, and robotic fabrication to create innovative building systems that challenge conventional construction methodologies.

Prior to Cal Poly, Chai was a doctoral researcher at the Polyhedral Structures Laboratory (PSL) and teaching fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design, where he developed novel computational methods for complex geometric structures. His peer-reviewed research has been published in leading journals and presented at international conferences, with a recent exhibition at the European Cultural Centre during the Venice Architecture Biennale.

Experience

Educational Credentials:

Ph.D. in Architecture, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (expected 2025)
MS in Advanced Architectural Design, Columbia University, New York, NY
MArch, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI
BEng, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, CHN

Teaching Experience:

Assistant Professor in Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
Doctoral Teaching Fellow, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Professional Experience:

Doctoral Researcher, Polyhedral Structures Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Architectural Designer, Stamberg Aferiat Architects, New York, NY
Architectural Designer, HED (formerly Harley Ellis Devereaux), Detroit, MI

Scholarship

Selected Publications:

• Chai, Hua, Yao Lu, Yefan Zhi, Masoud Akbarzadeh. "Merged Force Diagrams for Expanded Tension-Compression Design Space in Polyhedral Graphic Statics." In Advances in Architectural Geometry 2025, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston. (forthcoming)
• Chai, Hua, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Yefan Zhi, Ryan Welch, Billie Faircloth, Fahimeh Yavartanooc, Mohammad Bolhassanic, Masoud Akbarzadeh. “Design approach for a post-tensioned funicular concrete beam.” In Proceedings of IASS Symposium and Spatial Structures Conference 2024, Redefining The Art Of Structural Design, Zurich, Switzerland, August 2024.
• Chai, Hua, Yao Lu, M´arton Hablicsek, Masoud Akbarzadeh. “Generation of a compression-tension combined funicular polyhedral beam structure.” In Proceedings of IASS Symposium and Spatial Structures Conference 2023, Integration of Design and Fabrication, Melbourne, Australia, July 2023.
• Chai, Hua, Damon Bolhassani, and Masoud Akbarzadeh. “Structural form-finding of multi-span undulating funicular beam structure.” In Proceedings of IASS Symposium and Spatial Structures Conference 2022 affiliated with APCS 2022 conference, Innovation Sustainability Legacy, Beijing, China, September 2022.
• Chai, Hua and Masoud Akbarzadeh. “Web-based Interactive Polyhedral Graphics Statics Platform.” In Proceedings of IASS Symposium and Spatial Structures Conference 2021, Inspiring the Next Generation, Guilford, United Kingdom, August 2021.
• Masoud Akbarzadeh, Chai, Hua, Yefan Zhi, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Teng Teng, Mathias Bernhard, Mohammad Bolhassani, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Karolina Pajak, Mylène Bernard, Leon Troussét, Paul Kassabian, Blaise Waligun. “Diamanti: 3D-printed, post-tensioned concrete canopy.” Fabricate 2024, UCL press (2024), pp. 292-301.
• Kun-Hao Yu, Teng Teng, So Hee Nah, Chai, Hua, Yefan Zhi, Kun-Yu Wang, Yinding Chi,Peter Psarras, Masoud Akbarzadeh, Shu Yang. "3D Concrete Printing of Triply Periodic Minimum Surfaces for Enhanced Carbon Capture and Storage." Advanced Functional Materials, 2025.
• Zherui Wang, Chai, Hua, Xiaoxiao Peng, Ryan Welch, Masoud Akbarzadeh, Dorit Aviv. “An Early Design Stage Parametric Exploration of Integrated Concrete Funicular Floor Element and Thermal Mass Performance for Carbon Footprint Reduction.” In Proceedings of IASS Symposium and Spatial Structures Conference 2024, Redefining The Art Of Structural Design, Zurich, Switzerland, August 2024.
• Yefan Zhi, Chai, Hua, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh. “Automated Toolpath Design of 3D Concrete Printing Structural Components.” Additive Manufacturing, 2024.
• Maximilian E. Ororbia, Chai, Hua, Yefan Zhi, Pouria Vakhshouria, Jorge Huisa Chacon, Joseph R. Yost, Mathias Bernhard, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Damon Bolhassani, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Karolina Pajak, Blaise Waligun, Paul Kassabian, Masoud Akbarzadeh. “Experimental Study of a Funicular Concrete Beam Prototype.” In Proceedings of IASS Symposium and Spatial Structures Conference 2024, Redefining The Art Of Structural Design, Zurich, Switzerland, August 2024.

 

Updated 09.19.25