The Master in Robotics and Advanced Construction (MRAC) seeks to train a new generation of interdisciplinary professionals who are capable of facing our growing need for a more sustainable and optimised construction ecosystem. The Master is focused on the emerging design and market opportunities arising from novel robotic and advanced manufacturing systems.
Through a mixture of seminars, workshops, and studio projects, the master programme challenges the traditional processes in the Construction Sector. It investigates how advances in robotics and digital fabrication tools change the way we build and develop processes and design tools for such new production methods.
Robotic Disassembly& Reassembly with Spatial AI In this blog post, we’re presenting the project developed during IAAC 2026 Workshop 2.2 in collaboration with the Augmented Fabrication Lab. Our focus was to step beyond purely digital design and engage directly with physical processes, using robotic systems and sensor-based feedback. Through hands-on experimentation with robotic fabrication and … Read more
WHAT_IS_G.R.A.S.S.? G.R.A.S.S. is a hands-free design installation that lets anyone compose an urban park layout using only mid-air hand gestures and voice commands. The goal is to make spatial design accessible to non-specialists, if you can point and grab, you can design a park. No CAD skills required. Projects like MIT inFORM physically render 3D … Read more
This article presents a project exploring how collected data can be processed and translated into automated classification and robotic decision-making logic. The core concept revolves around studying the physical condition and spatial arrangement of reclaimed construction material, extracting geometry-based and surface-level information to generate a data-driven sorting and retrieval workflow. By combining artificial intelligence with … Read more
RE:PAIR –Perception-Driven Closed-Loop Robotic Repair Faculty: Hamid Peiro and Aleksandra Kraeva (Sasha) Mission Statement: RE:PAIR is a perception-driven, decision-visible closed-loop robotic system that detects cracks, repairs them using robotic 3D printing, and autonomously verifies the result. 1) Crack detection 2) Segmentation and Masking 3) Centreline and points First we outlayed the workflow of the project. … Read more
This project was developed within the framework of MRAC Workshop 2.1: Team Collaborative Workflow and Modular System Development. The workshop focuses on learning, internalizing, and applying collaborative software development practices using Git and GitHub through the development of a modular robotic system. In this context, the group was tasked with designing and implementing a robotic … Read more
In an era dominated by concrete and steel, the Sticks & Stones project revisits the architectural potential of stone and timber—materials with a rich historical legacy—through the precision of robotic fabrication. This initiative sought to develop a reversible, precise architectural system that bridges traditional craftsmanship with advanced digital tools. By tackling the challenges of natural … Read more
Workflow for Detection (Transformation to the Real World) Test for getting the points in real world Workflow for Detection (Getting points into the Trajectory) Test for getting the points in real world Workflow for Detection (Processing on Point Cloud) Test for getting the points in real world Machina Connection for ABB_6700 (Simulation)
Introduction In the face of increasing climate-related disasters, accurate and efficient scanning methods are essential for assessing structural integrity. Our team developed a robotic scanning solution that utilizes LiDAR-based Husky A200 and drone photogrammetry to detect roof anomalies, such as holes and structural weaknesses.This study explores different scanning methodologies and evaluates their effectiveness in detecting … Read more
Mobile Robotic Scanning & Discrete Element Analysis This workshop served as an introduction to mobile robotics for scanning. We explored various types of mobile robots and different kinds of sensors, focusing on how they integrate with one another to enable diverse scanning approaches. Based on these investigations, we designed a specific scanning methodology suited to … Read more
Github : https://github.com/j-albo/robotic-3d-space-analysis INTRODUCTION Scanning irregular terrains with today’s scanning technology is crucial for obtaining precise environmental models, optimizing planning and execution in architectural projects. Its high-resolution capture capability allows for mapping complex surfaces and detecting floor level variations imperceptible to the human eye, improving efficiency and reducing errors in design and construction. WHY USING A MOBILE … Read more
Github : https://github.com/j-albo/scanning-wood-waste INTRODUCTION Currently, only 15% of wood waste is recycled globally, while up to 60% of felled trees remain unused. Many irregular pieces that do not meet industrial standards are discarded without leveraging their structural and aesthetic potential. Our goal is to rethink these waste materials through scanning, analysis, and digital transformation, converting them into … Read more
Introduction In this exercise, our objective was to scan a physical object and use the acquired data to generate a toolpath for non-planar 3D printing. To achieve this, we integrated tools such as Grasshopper, Python, and ROS (Robot Operating System) and conducted multiple tests to optimize the scanning strategy and post-processing. Methodology To achieve non-planar … Read more
Introduction This project was done in collaboration with Heatherwick Studio. Our starting point was a problem that emerged when patterned ceramic tiles were deployed at scale. Specifically, factory-produced tiles create repetitive patterns, which detract from their crafted intricacy. On the other end of the spectrum, hand glazing is a highly skilled and time-consuming process that … Read more
Github: https://github.com/elicolds/emotionreader/ Introduction In the realm of architecture and art, installations serve as powerful mediums to explore the intersection of technology, human emotion, and design. Our project reimagines the relationship between viewers and spaces by creating an interactive structure that reacts dynamically to human presence and emotions. Combining hardware, software, and creative ingenuity, we designed … Read more
github: https://github.com/intellection-mrac/tres_mosqueteros.git 1. Intro When we think of craftsmanship, we imagine a world of deep expertise—one that is developed differently from the academic theories taught in universities. Craftspeople spend years under the guidance of masters, becoming part of a lineage that passes down specialized knowledge honed through time and experience. This process is more than … Read more
