23rd Forum on the History and Criticism of Modern Architecture

On October 2 and 3, 2025, the 23rd Forum on the History and Criticism of Modern Architecture was held in our campus, consolidating its role as a fundamental academic space for reflection on contemporary architectural practice. This edition focused on the central theme:

“History, Criticism, and Technology of the Architectural Project.
Mechanization, Digitalization, and Artificial Intelligence,”

an axis that enabled the articulation of historical and critical perspectives with the profound technological transformations currently reshaping the architectural discipline.

The forum was directed by Dr. Enrique Javier de Anda Alanís, who coordinated an academic program consisting of 23 presentations delivered by researchers, faculty members, and professionals. These contributions addressed the relationship between theory, history, technology, and architectural practice from diverse viewpoints and analytical scales.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Guillermo de Anda Jáuregui, who presented the lecture entitled:
“Intersections between Artificial Intelligence and the Humanities: A Critical Perspective from the Sciences of Complexity.”

His presentation stood out for offering a rigorous and cross-disciplinary approach, in which artificial intelligence was examined not merely as a technical tool, but as a complex phenomenon with epistemological, cultural, and ethical implications for project-based disciplines and the humanities at large.

One of the most significant aspects of the forum was the prominence of artificial intelligence in architecture, which emerged as the most salient topic among all thematic lines. Across multiple presentations, it became evident that today there are countless artificial intelligence–based tools already integrated into architectural practice, substantially transforming the design process, from early conceptualization and analytical stages to representation, simulation, and design optimization. This reality generated a critical debate regarding the scope, limitations, and responsibilities of architects when engaging with increasingly autonomous and sophisticated technologies.

The forum concluded with an academic visit to the city of Calvillo, an activity that complemented the theoretical discussions with direct engagement with the urban and architectural context, reinforcing the dialogue between history, territory, and contemporary practice.

Overall, the 23rd Forum on the History and Criticism of Modern Architecture reaffirmed its relevance as a space for critical analysis and disciplinary renewal, emphasizing that artificial intelligence is no longer a future possibility, but a present reality that is profoundly redefining the ways architecture is conceived, designed, and theorized in the 21st century.