Selected topics in building structures such as experimental structures and architectural preservation. For current offerings, see departmental website.

The emergence of robotics in creative sectors has sparked an entirely new movement of collective making that is inextricably open and future-oriented. Challenged by increasingly complex technological and environmental problems, architects, designers, and engineers are seeking novel practices of collaboration that go far beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. This collective approach to working with robots is not only revolutionizing how things are designed and made, but is fundamentally transforming the culture, politics, and economics of the creative industries as a whole. Unlike most other CNC devices, today’s robotic arms are not restricted to any particular application but can readily be customized and programmed to suit a wide range of specific intentions, both at the material and conceptual level. This versatility has shifted the perception of robots as mechanistic, utilitarian devices suited to standard serial production, toward understanding them as creative tools for exploring, designing, and realizing physical objects and the built environment. The goal of this class is to investigate the unique possibilities of robotic manufacturing and combining it with emerging technologies such as AR/VR, 3D scanning, and data-driven 3D printing for the development of new and creative building processes. Working together as one team, the students in the class are given the task to envision a novel workflow for smart fabrication and human-robot interaction that could fundamentally change how we are going to produce, assemble, and operate our built environment in the future.

This class is open to graduate students from the fields of architecture, electrical engineering, and computer science. Prior experience in robot programming, AR/VR, 3D printing, 3D scanning, and design programs such as Rhinoceros and Grasshopper would be beneficial.

Students must contact the instructor directly to inquire about permission to enroll.

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