The Master Programme in Robotics and Advanced Construction is an innovative educational format that offers interdisciplinary skills and understanding through a series of class seminars that are put into practice through hands-on workshops. IAAC gives students the opportunity to create individual studio agendas and develop Pilot Thesis Projects based on the knowledge acquired during the seminars and workshops split into 3 Modules. In this way, IAAC puts together an experimental learning environment for the training of professionals with both theoretical and practical responses to the increasing complexity of the construction sector.
| INTRODUCTION | Learning Structures: From Parametric Rules to Machine-Made Forms. In this project, we explored the interplay between parametric design, machine learning, and robotic fabrication. Starting from Kapla block assemblies controlled by simple deformation rules, we trained a GAN to reinterpret and generate new structural variations. The process concluded with robotic pick-and-place construction, closing … Read more
[ 1 ] FIRST QUESTIONS : The application of Machine Learning (ML) to the prediction of 3D printing parameters presents a challenge that necessitates a structured approach and raises many questions on how to approach this combination. To effectively explore this integration, it is essential to address three core questions: What are the process and the … Read more
Github : https://github.com/Clarrainl/UN_LOG-Factory | INTRODUCTION | Detecting wood defects in 3D-scanned logs using Machine Learning In the timber industry, a significant portion of wood gets discarded due to irregularities or defects that make it unusable under standard practices. However, many of these logs can still be used creatively or structurally if properly understood and classified. This project … Read more
Introduction In the face of the growing demand for sustainable construction, the integration of renewable materials with advanced fabrication techniques is essential for creating adaptable and efficient structures. Our team developed Terraweave, a project that combines willow and earth to create hybrid building components. By leveraging the natural properties of willow for flexibility and earth … 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
The Problem The built environment is responsible for 42% of annual global CO₂ emissions. Within this, building operations and construction alone contribute nearly one-third. Yet, current construction methods lack flexibility, efficient resource use, and environmentally friendly solutions. This is the context that drove our project. Terraweave Solution TerraWeave integrates robotics, wattle and daub construction and … Read more
Introduction In a world where natural resources are increasingly scarce, the construction industry faces a crucial challenge: reducing material waste and maximizing the use of available resources. Wood, a traditionally used construction material, is at the center of this issue. Every year, millions of tons of wood are discarded or underutilized due to its irregular … Read more
adapted from IaaC´s Artificial Intelligence Program’s study of machine learning for robotic pick and place. (https://blog.iaac.net/reinforcement-learning-for-robotic-pick-and-place/research). Github Repository. https://github.com/LaurenD66/ROS-GridWorld-RL-with-Obstacles In a recent study by IaaC´s Artificial Intelligence Program, students used reinforcement learning models to train an (robotic) agent to move through a space defined by a simple grid from an origin to a goal, while … Read more
As businesses evolve in the 21st century, success is no longer measured by profit alone. Today, organizations are expected to create meaningful value for people, the planet, and the broader economy. The Sustainable Business Canvas is a strategic tool that helps businesses embed sustainability at the core of their operations by assessing not just economic … Read more
Digital Transformation of Discarded Logs for Structural and Design Applications Re_Shape is a design and innovation project that addresses a major blind spot in the forestry industry: the waste of tree trunks that are curved, bifurcated, or otherwise irregular and therefore excluded from traditional processing systems. These logs are typically downgraded into low-value products like … Read more
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
