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The 1:50 scaled final high rise models of the design research studio 2012.
The final model of project 1 reached a height of 250cm.
Project 1 based its model on a robotic assembly strategy, in which acrylic strips became deformed during the fabrication process.


Design of Robotic Fabricated High Rises 1, SEC Singapore ETH Centre, 2012
Although highly ambitious and sophisticated, most attempts at using robotic processes in architecture remain exceptions, prototypes or even failures at a larger scale, because the general approach is either to automate existing manual processes or to automate the complete construction process. However, the potentials of robotic fabrication are not fully exploited if used for the execution of purely repetitive mass fabrication processes: Their potential for variety and differentiated assembly – even at a large scale – is not yet utilised. It is necessary to take into account the diversity of construction systems and individual needs of a project or its site, without limiting the conditions of design or construction. Existing methods and processes have to be negotiated in this context – it is time to think about customised robotic processes, products and planning methods for architecture at large scale.
In the context of the Future Cities Laboratory of ETH Zurich, the Chair for Architecture and Digital Fabrication of Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler has built up a unique laboratory to research the potentials of robotic processes in architecture and to develop concrete scenarios for their large scale application to the design and construction of high rises in Singapore.

Two Design Research Studios are conducted and use the specific urban scenario of Singapore to catalyse the research. High Rise typologies are analysed in 1:50 scaled models.
The studios 2012 and 2013 take place at Create Campus in Singapore / ETH Centre for Global Environmental Sustainability (SEC), which serves as an intellectual hub for research under the theme of Global Environmental Sustainability.

Credits:
Gramazio Kohler Research, ETH Zurich

Collaborators: Michael Budig (project lead), Dr. Silke Langenberg (Senior Researcher), Norman Hack, Willi Lauer, Jason Lim, Raffael Petrovic
Tobias Bonwetsch, Ena Lloret, Dr. Jan Willmann
Students: Sebastian Ernst, Pascal Genhart, Patrick Goldener, Sylvius Kramer, Sven Rickhoff, Silvan Strohbach, Michael Stünzi, Martin Tessarz, Florence Thonney, Alvaro Valcarce Romero, Fabienne Waldburger, Tobias Wullschleger

Copyright 2023, Gramazio Kohler Research, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Gramazio Kohler Research
Chair of Architecture and Digital Fabrication
ETH Zürich HIB E 43
Stefano-Franscini Platz 1 / CH-8093 Zurich

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