I continually explore how to merge traditional methodologies with novel digital fabrication processes, directly questioning the perceived dichotomy between digital and analog art.
My artistic practice is driven by a fascination with emerging technologies and their capacity to redefine the frontiers of art, architecture, and design. Drawing from my architectural background, this body of work evolved directly from research titled “Stone Stitching: 3D Scanning, Additive Manufacturing, and Composite Masonry Tectonics”.
I continually explore how to merge traditional methodologies with novel digital fabrication processes, directly questioning the perceived dichotomy between digital and analog art. On one side, I employ advanced parametric scripts to create intricate toolpaths for 3D-printed ceramic connectors, uniquely shaped to embrace 3D-scanned stones. On the other, I honor the rich history of traditional ceramics, meticulously fettling greenware, followed by bisque, glazing, and raku firing in a gas kiln. The raku firing process adds a deeply hands-on, traditional craft technique, imparting irregular texture and visual contrast. This interwoven approach yields sculptures that are both classic and contemporary.
My work also embraces the ritualistic collection and personification of stones, drawing inspiration from the alphabetical naming conventions of hurricanes. Each raw, untouched stone is delicately cradled above the ground by these custom-designed ceramic connectors. Through this combination of digital precision and the handcraft of ceramic 3D printing, my art seeks to reveal new harmonies and compositions, exploring the convergence of ancient materials and contemporary techniques.
Nicholas LiCausi is a designer and artist known for his work at the center of emerging technologies and creative practice, consistently pushing the boundaries of art, architecture, and design. As the Director of Fabrication at the Tulane School of Architecture, he oversees the Fabrication Labs and teaches workshops on digital tools, animation, and advanced fabrication. Before taking on this role, he had practiced professionally in New York City, specializing in 3D printing, virtual reality, and other digital technologies.
LiCausi's artistic practice uniquely merges archaic building methodologies with novel digital fabrication processes. He explores the integration of tools such as 3D scanning, CNC routing, and robotic clay extrusion to produce innovative tectonic structures. His work has contributed to various projects in New Orleans, including collaborations with artists on fabrication planning, project managing design-build installations, and the 3D scanning and reproduction of architectural details for historic preservation.
A recent Master's in Architectural Research and Design graduate from Tulane University, LiCausi's thesis explored the integration of 3D scanning, parametric modeling, and additive manufacturing to create novel material assemblies of found stones and 3D-printed ceramic components, earning him the ARCC King Award for Excellence in Architectural & Environmental Design Research. This research directly informs his recent body of work, with two of his sculptures featured in the 2024 Louisiana Contemporary at the Ogden Museum and his solo thesis exhibition displayed at the AIA Center in New Orleans.
Beyond his academic and artistic pursuits, Nicholas co-founded Workshop Enzo, a multidisciplinary design firm, with his partner, Viviana Gonzalez, through which they recently designed and renovated their home on Tchoupitoulas. This Fall, he will further explore ideas of material reuse through 3D scanning and clay 3D printing as he teaches 'Translations: Advanced Digital Fabrication,' an architecture special topics elective.
Education
Tulane University - 2019-2024
Master of Science in Architectural Research and Design at Tulane School of Architecture. Thesis ARCC King Award for Excellence in Architectural & Environmental Design Research.
NJIT - 2012-2017
Bachelor's of Architecture at New Jersey Institute of Technology. Albert Dorman Honors College.
Experience
Tulane University - Director of Fabrication - 2021-Present
New Orleans, LA. Oversees the operations of the Fabrication Labs, including plotting, laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC milling, industrial sewing, ceramic 3D printing, and the woodshop. Coordinates 1 full-time Fabrication Labs Manager and 50 student workers across the labs. Supports the continuous incorporation of fabrication into the school's curricula through workshops and exhibitions.
Tulane University - Exhibitions Manager - 2024-Present
New Orleans, LA. Curating the full lifecycle of exhibitions, from concept and curation to fabrication, installation, and marketing.
Workshop Enzo - Co-founder - 2024-Present
New Orleans, LA. Started a multidisciplinary design firm with his partner, Viviana Gonzalez, and renovated their home.
Tulane University - Renovation Curator - 2021-2024
New Orleans, LA. Documenting the renovation of Richardson Memorial Hall, producing an exhibition of the construction process, renovation tours, and publications on the experience.
Tulane University - Fabrication Manager - 2018-2021
New Orleans, LA. Managed the Digital Fabrication Labs. Promoted digital literacy and new methods of production.
Mancini Duffy - Designer - 2017-2018
New York, NY. Assisted with the founding of the research and development sector of the firm. Exploration with virtual reality, drone photogrammetry, and 3D printing.
Exhibits / Competitions / Projects
Sulog Exhibition – Brown Workshop - 2025
Deutsches Architekturmuseum. Design Development and Fabrication Drawings for Museum Installation.
Offering – Jonathan Ferrara – 2025
3D scanning, 3D printing, and laser cutting for sculpture.
Stone Stitching Thesis Exhibition - 2024
AIA Center New Orleans. Final Thesis Exhibition
Louisiana Contemporary - 2024 2024
Ogden Museum, New Orleans. Two sculptures, Idalia and Franklin selected by Lauren Haynes, Head Curator for Governors Island.
Richardson Memorial Hall Renovation - 2024
3D scanned and fabricated damaged column capitals that were damaged during demolition.
ViVa - Anastasia Pelias - 2021
Construction drawings, rendering, and construction drawings.
Newcomb Quad Pavilion Competition - 2021
Hosted a competition to create seating and space-making around NQ5. Collaborating with students on the design and fabrication.
It Was My Pleasure - Anastasia Pelias - 2021
Conceptual design, construction drawings, and fabrication coordination of a sculpture for Prospect 2021.
Coalescence - Curious Form - 2021
Produced renderings and detail drawings of a sculpture for Burning Man and the Coral Springs Art Walk.
Virtual Thesis Exhibition 2020 - 2021
Designed a virtual end-of-semester gallery of TuSA theses. Featured on Archinect, Koozarch, and the Architect’s Newspaper.
Millhaus Facade - 2020
Hosted a competition to redesign the entrance of TuSA’s CNC Lab. Collaborated with students todesign/build the winning submission.
Harry (Que sera) - Anastasia Pelias - 2020
Collaboration on the final documentation and submission of a sculpture for the Morial Convention Center
Reimagining Brooklyn Bridge - Van Alen - 2020
Designed and produced imagery for “Commuter Coaster”
Logo Signage - Bandit Hair Company - 2019
Design and fabrication of CNC-milled aluminum signage
Evolo Skyscraper Competition - 2019
Holographic Reality, designed and submitted. Featured by Koozarch, Designboom, Architecture Magazine and others.
Jerry Saltz Mural - 2018
Mural on the ceiling of the Lazy Susan Gallery that explored issues of copyrighting and plagiarism.
AIAS Freedom by Design Parklet - 2016
Oversaw the design and building ofa parklet utilizing donated pallets and lumber Teaching
Translations: Advanced Digital Fabrication - 2025
Upper-level architecture elective exploring ideas of tolerance and precision of masonry systems using 3D scanning, 3D printed ceramics, and CNC milling.
Career Explorations in Architecture - 2019-2024
Digital Design summer courses for prospective high school students. Taught workshops on the basics of digital modeling to produce a set of drawings and animated views.
Digital Design / Fabrication Workshops - 2019-2021
Taught workshops on animation, motion graphics, laser cutting, photomontage, 360 rendering, and various software-specific tutorials.
Robotic Tooling - 2019
Co-taught a seminar course with Adam Modesitt that explored how the robot arm could be combined with 3D printed end-of-tool attachments to produce generative designs.
