Hamidreza Alavi is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Informatics at Oxford Brookes University and an Academic Affiliate at the University of Cambridge. His research and teaching focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twins, and data-driven decision-making for the built environment, with applications in infrastructure management, construction automation, and facility and asset management.

Previously, he served as a Research and Teaching Associate in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, where he developed curriculum and contributed to significant Horizon Europe projects, leading digital twin development initiatives. He designs and delivers modules on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twin technologies, integrating real-world case studies with advanced computational and data-driven methods. His work shapes next-generation digital twin frameworks that integrate AI, BIM, and sensing technologies across the asset lifecycle. He is a Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (MASCE) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), with extensive experience in innovative pedagogical approaches in engineering education.

Prior to joining Cambridge, he was an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), where he led research in BIM-based facility management, digital construction, and decision-support systems. He has played key leadership roles in international and interdisciplinary research projects focused on advancing digitalisation and intelligence in the built environment. He was also a Visiting Scholar in the BIM TOPiCS Lab, Faculty of Applied Science, at the Vancouver Campus of the University of British Columbia.

His research has been widely published in high-impact journals and international conferences, and he serves as an Editorial Board Member of the Smart and Sustainable Built Environment journal. He has supervised and co-supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate research projects and is committed to inclusive mentoring and capacity building in engineering education. Through his work, he is committed to bridging research and education to develop intelligent, sustainable, and technology-driven solutions for the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Research interests: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Digital Twins, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Data-driven Decision-making for Infrastructure and the Built Environment

Recent Highlights & Activities

2025

• Delivered teaching in the 3D9 Construction Management module at the University of Cambridge this semester, including designing and leading all lab sessions.
• Lectured on Digital Construction in the 4D4 module at the University of Cambridge (with Prof. Ioannis Brilakis).
• Presented our AEGIR work at the University of Cambridge (DRF Lunch Clinic seminar), sharing research on AI/ML pipelines and geometric digital twin model generation. [See AEGIR Project]
• Invited speaker at UCL – University College London on “From Blueprint to Digital Twin: Rethinking Design Detailing through Data-Driven Modelling” for the Design & Technology Management module.
• Published the book “Structural Design and Optimization of Lifting Self-forming GFRP Elastic Gridshells based on Machine Learning” (Routledge / Taylor & Francis), presenting machine-learning-driven frameworks for the design, optimisation, and performance assessment of innovative GFRP elastic gridshell structures.
• Delivered a guest lecture at UCL – University College London (The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction) on Digital Twins / BIM / VR / AR for smart facilities and future asset management.
• Presented and published research at DFBI 2025 (TU Delft); served on the International Scientific Committee and presented the paper: “Intelligent BIM-Integrated Decision Support for Life Cycle Assessment Using Large Language Models.”
• Presented research at EC³ 2025 (Porto) and ISARC 2025 (Montreal), with papers on digital twins, AR/VR, and digital construction methods.
• Represented the University of Cambridge at the OMICRON H2020 Final Event (Madrid), presenting PointPix, a scalable digital-twin-enabled pavement inspection system.

2024

• Presented at EC³ 2024 (Chania, Crete) and the ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering (i3CE 2024), including work on BIM–LiDAR / point clouds and digital twins for schedule monitoring; also served as a session chair.
• Contributed to the AEGIR (EU/Horizon Europe) consortium activities (technical workshops, collaboration, and deployment discussions across demo sites).
• Guest Editor of a Special Issue on Net-Zero-Energy Buildings, focusing on AI-driven decision-support systems, digital twins, BIM-based workflows, and sustainable construction and energy management.
• Published the Springer Nature book “Integrated Building Intelligence” (BIM + DSS + AI), bridging research and practice in smart building lifecycle management.
• Serving as an Editorial Board Member for Smart and Sustainable Built Environment.
• Awarded Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) in recognition of excellence in teaching and curriculum development.

For a detailed overview of my academic background and professional experience, please see my full Curriculum Vitae.