Interview with Marlen López Fernández. Digital Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability in Design

Abstract

This interview with Marlen López Fernández examines the integration of digital fabrication, artificial intelligence, and sustainability within contemporary design practices. Drawing on her background in biodigital architecture and biomimicry, López Fernández discusses how digital tools are reshaping design and production processes by enabling closer interaction between designers and fabrication methods, as well as improved material efficiency through rapid prototyping. The role of artificial intelligence is presented as a supportive tool for project visualization and idea generation, without replacing human decision-making. Regarding sustainability, the interview highlights the relevance of recyclable materials, disassemblable design strategies, and the use of data to enhance environmental performance in built environments. The discussion concludes with a call for nature-inspired, context-specific design approaches aligned with local resources and ecological principles.