Episode 269: Hassell’s Moonshot - Xavier De Kestelier, Principal, Hassell Studio, on designing on the moon

“Technology is often seen as the answer, but I believe design is the real answer. Technology is there to enable and to empower.”

Xavier De Kestelier is a global Head of Design and leader of Hassell’s design technology and innovation team, which sets strategy and advises on the tools and knowledge the international design firm needs to succeed. 

Both an architect and technologist, Xavier harnesses technology to create more powerful, future-focused design solutions. That means he’s responsible for overseeing Hassell’s work in computational design, building information modelling, visualisation and virtual reality worldwide. 

Over the past decade Xavier has forged a reputation as an industry leader in the exploration and adoption of parametric design and digital fabrication. Most recently, he was behind Hassell’s concept for a ​‘home’ on Mars – part of NASA’s 3D Printed Habitat Challenge.

A TED talker and regular speaker at major design and tech events, Xavier is also a director of Smartgeometry, a non-profit, global educational network for computational and digital design specialists.

He talks exclusively top Talking Architecture & Design about the future of lunar design.