WE ARE ATOPOS
APPROACH
Atopos (ἄτοπος), an ancient Greek word which translates to “out of place” or “without a place”, encapsulates the essence of our design philosophy and creative innovation practice. Used to describe something beyond categorization and conventional boundaries, this concept reflects our commitment to challenging established norms and exploring ideas that inhabit the liminal spaces between creative disciplines.
By dissolving those lines, we craft our work at the intersection of technology, ecology and culture, creating transformative projects that reimagine how we experience and interact with the world.
WHAT WE DO
We design with innovation at the core, expanding the possibilities of design through a research-driven practice. We not only create functional interventions but contribute to the regeneration of our relationship to our environment.
Our expertise and curiosity allows us to take on a wide range of projects. From architecture and interior design for residential, commercial, and cultural spaces to experiential projects like pavilions, art installations, and public art. We also specialize in product design, including homeware, urban furniture, and fashion items.
Based in Barcelona, with virtual offices in Milan and Los Angeles, we work and collaborate globally. Each project reflects our commitment to innovation, ecological responsibility, and aligning our work with both our own values and those of our clients.
HOW WE DO IT
Our design approach combines cutting-edge technology with traditional knowledge, guided by ecological principles to deliver highly customized solutions. Every project is tailored to the specific needs and goals of our clients, with each element crafted to create a unique proposal.
With extensive knowledge in techniques such as 3D printing and other digital fabrication methods, as well as traditional crafts, we are able to explore a wide range of design possibilities. We also integrate innovative methods in our design process such as data-driven parametric design, optimization algorithms and artificial intelligence in order to deliver high quality, informed and performative solutions.
These processes are influenced by research across disciplines like mathematics, biology, and physics, allowing us to draw inspiration from the efficiency of the natural world in our design approach.
OUR VISION
At Atopos, we believe that design should explore the ever-changing social, cultural, and technological context. We view design as a tool for creating systemic impact and reshaping our relationship with the environment. Our aim is to shift from human-centric to nature-centric design, where the complexities of ecosystems—including human, more-than-human, and environmental needs—are central.
By aligning technology with ecological principles, we envision a future where nature and humanity are part of one thriving ecosystem. By designing solutions that meet human needs while promoting ecosystem regeneration, we aim to foster a synergistic relationship between the built and natural environments, ultimately inspiring new ways of engaging with both each other and the planet.
WHO WE ARE
MIRA HOUSEN
Co-Founder and Creative Director of Atopos
Mira Housen is a creative whose interest lies at the intersection of architecture, technology, and ecology. With a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the Polytechnic of Milan and a Postgraduate Master’s degree from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), she is dedicated to exploring design methodologies and implementations that acknowledge the intricacies of thriving ecosystems, fostering both human and planetary well-being.
She has brought her vision to institutions such as UCLA in Los Angeles, IAAC in Barcelona, and LABS Multidisciplinary Laboratory’s online platform. Her teaching spans diverse and cutting-edge topics, from bio-based materials to generative AI, data-driven algorithmic design, and advanced fabrication techniques. Through her work and teaching Mira promotes to approach design through the lens of ecological and societal impact, blending insights from philosophy, biology, and neuroscience to form a holistic framework.
Her work has gained recognition on international platforms, including the EU-funded URBiNAT H2020 project, where she designed a parametric 3D-printed clay wall system supporting plant and animal life. This prototype, showcased at the Tomorrow.Building exhibition during the 2022 SmartCityExpo in Barcelona, reflects her commitment to moving towards a more than human design approach.
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Atopos
YERwANT MEGURDITCHIAN
Yerwant is a registered architect with a diverse background in multidisciplinary design and education. He completed his architectural studies with a Master's degree from the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA) and a Postgraduate Master's degree from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC).
With over a decade of professional experience, Yerwant has contributed to a variety of projects across the Middle East, the United States, and Europe, notably working on projects like Yahoo! Playa Vista headquarters, Linkedin Carpenteria, Formula 1 Jeddah and Neom. His work encompasses a wide range of sectors, including residential, cultural, entertainment, hospitality, commercial and retail.
Additionally, Yerwant has collaborated with External Reference Architecture Bureau, the Advanced Architecture Group at IAAC and the likes, focusing on Data-Driven Algorithmic Design, Design-to-Production workflows, Digital Fabrication, Environmental Optimization, and Generative AI, emphasizing sustainable practices and nature-based design solutions.
TEACHING & WORKSHOPS
Teacher: ‘Generative AI for Architecture and Design’, BIM-ME, Beirut, Lebanon, 2024 - Yerwant Megurditchian
Teacher: ‘Generative AI for Architecture and Design’, LABS AI, Mumbai, India, 2024 - Mira Housen
Guest Instructor: ‘Patterned Earth Blocks', Land Festival - Earth Architecture Workshop, Nerok Zanskar, India, 2024 - Atopos
Instructor: ‘Future Forms - From Waste To Wonder’ Lecture, UCLA Sci Art Lab + Studio Summer Institute, Vibrations Matter Los Angeles, USA, 2024 - Mira Housen
Instructor: ‘Future Forms - From Waste To Wonder’ Bio-Materials Workshop, UCLA Sci Art Lab + Studio Summer Institute, Vibrations Matter, Los Angeles, USA, 2024 - Mira Housen
Teacher: Computational Design for Complex Modeling and Digital Fabrication, BIM-ME, Beirut, Lebanon, 2023-2024 - Yerwant Megurditchian
Graduate Teaching Assistant: Architecture of Algorithms Studio, Master in Advanced Architecture (MAA), Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), 2022-2023 - Mira Housen
Graduate Teaching Assistant: Computational Design Seminar, Master in Advanced Architecture (MAA), Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), 2022-2023 - Yerwant Megurditchian
GRANTS & HONORS
Jury: Future Cities Design Studio, CIEE - Global Architecture & Design, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), Barcelona, Spain, 2023-2024 - Yerwant Megurditchian
Publication: Start-up Education for Architects: Fostering Green Innovative Solutions, JIDA’23, UPC, Barcelona, Spain, 2023 - Yerwant Megurditchian with ‘Klimatile’ Team
Award: First Prize Winner, Urban Shift EU - The Living Labs, Barcelona, Spain, 2023 - Yerwant Megurditchian with ‘Klimatile’ Team
Publication: BIM-driven Computational Design and Robotic Manufacturing in Off-Site Construction, ETS, Montreal, Canada, 2023 - Yerwant Megurditchian with Walid Anane et al.
Jury: Computational Design Seminar, Master in Advanced Architecture (MAA), Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), 2022-2023 - Yerwant Megurditchian
Jury: Architecture of Algorithms Studio, Master in Advanced Architecture (MAA), Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), 2022-2023 - Mira Housen
Award: First Prize Winner, Ever After - Urban Furniture for Social Distancing, Tokyo, Japan, 2020 - Mira Housen
TALKS
Designer Talk: Glendale Tech Week, ‘Enter The Xenosphere - Decoding Life On A Planetary Scale’, Los Angeles, USA, 2024 - Mira Housen
Designer Talk: Urban Shift EU - The Living Exhibition, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2024 - Yerwant Megurditchian
Designer Talk: Smart Design Conference, Symposium + Workshops, New Delhi, India, 2021 - Yerwant Megurditchian
Podcast: Stop at Zero, Mumbai, India, 2021 - Yerwant Megurditchian
EXHIBITIONS
'Xenosphere' - Solo Art Installation, Shock Tank Artist Compound, Los Angeles, USA, 2024 - Atopos
'Xenosphere' - Solo Art Installation, Glendale Tech Week, Los Angeles, USA, 2024 - Atopos
'Pershing Art Show' - Group Exhibition, Los Angeles, USA, 2024 - Yerwant Megurditchian
‘Responsive Cities’ - Group Exhibition, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), Barcelona, Spain, 2024 - Yerwant Megurditchian
'Urban Shift EU - The Living Exhibition' - Group Exhibition, Stuttgart, Germany and Copenhagen, Denmark, 2024 - Yerwant Megurditchian with ‘Klimatile’ Team
'Urban Shift EU - The Living Exhibition' - Group Exhibition, Vienna, Austria and Barcelona, Spain, 2023 - Yerwant Megurditchian with ‘Klimatile’ Team
‘Esade Accelerator DemoDay’ - Group Exhibition, Barcelona, Spain, 2023 - Atopos
‘Smart City Expo’ - Group Exhibition, Barcelona, Spain, 2022 - Mira Housen with ‘3D Printed Vertical Food Farm’ Team
'Smart Design Exhibition' - Group Exhibition, New Delhi, India, 2021 - Yerwant Megurditchian
‘Design for Social Distancing’ - Group Exhibition, DesignArt Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, 2020 - Mira Housen with ‘'Playful Distancing’ Team