21-23 June, 2022 | ETH Zürich

Over the past decades, digital processes have transformed numerous industries, however the construction sector has fallen behind. The field still relies heavily on manual labour, mechanical technology, and established operating procedures. Building design, operations and construction tasks are also bound to gradual change and unpredictable materials. Recent advances in computational methods and robotic technology in architecture and civil engineering are pushing the development and integration of digital solutions.

This is gradually enabling the true potential of the construction sector by exploiting digital technology. The Future of Construction event features two symposiums with complementary topics, i.e. one on Construction Robotics and one on Computational Design for Sustainable Construction. The shared goal of the symposiums is to bring together experts from various fields, such as architecture, sensing, robotics, engineering, computer science, circular construction, computer vision and more. The content addresses challenges for the future of construction, focuses on innovative methods, disseminates knowledge, and establishes a dialogue between participants from academia and industry. This exchange will help identify needs and opportunities between the various involved research fields for successful future collaborations.

ABOUT

Part 1: Computational Design for Sustainable Construction

Part 2: Construction
Robotics

Augmented Computational Design

Sustainable Construction 

AI and Machine Learning

Generative Design

Extended Reality 

Immersive Simulation

Optimization

Photogrammetry

Human-in-the-Loop Design

Circular Construction

Autonomy in Unstructured Environments

Reach and Mobility Concepts

Human-Robot Interaction On-Site

3D Concrete Printing

Complex Timber Structures

Optimization of Fabrication Processes

Simulation and Prediction

High-Accuracy 3D Sensing

Quality Control and Inspection

Geometric Perception and Feedback Systems

KEYNOTES

Prof. Dr. Cyrill Stachniss

Uni Bonn, DE

Stuart Maggs

CEO Scaled Robotics, ES

Prof. Dr. Benjamin Dillenburger

ETH Zürich, CH

Prof. Dr. Markus König 

RUB, DE

Dr. Emanuela Del Dottore

IIT, IT

Prof. Dr. Anna Valente

SUPSI, CH

Prof. Dr. Sigrid Brell-Çokcan

RWTH, DE

Jelle Feringa

CTO Aectual, NL

Prof. Dr. Silke Langenberg

ETH Zürich, CH

Dr. Moritz Bächer

Disney Research, CH

Dr. Agnès Petit Markowski

CEO MOBBOT, CH

Prof. Dr. Pieter Pauwels

TU Eindhoven, NL

Prof. Dr. Norman Hack

TU Braunschweig, DE

Prof. Dr. Caitlin Mueller

MIT, USA

Prof. Dr. Catherine
De Wolf

ETH Zürich, CH

Prof. Dr. Walter Kaufmann

ETH Zürich, CH

AGENDA

Overview of the detailed on-site program:

Recording of the event is accessible here:

WORKSHOPS

 Workshop #1  

Leveraging Interdisciplinarity

Learn how to connect with researchers from different disciplines to advance your research

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Hosts: Dr. Elizabeth Amadei, Selen Ercan Jenny, Hermann Blum, Valens Frangez 

 Workshop #4  

AI in Architecture, 
Engineering, and Construction

The use of artificial intelligence in the AEC sector is becoming more common. This workshop will discuss the expectations and perceptions of AI in AEC, challenges and gaps specific for the AEC industry and how to critically evaluate AI applications. 

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Hosts: Dr. Michael Kraus, Dr. Danielle Griego, Prof. Dr. Benjamin Dillenburger

Computational Design with COMPAS

Computational design tools to develop your own digital fabrication projects using open-source COMPAS framework.

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Hosts: Gonzalo Casas,

Dr. Romana Rust 

 Workshop #5  

Computational Tools to Support Circular Construction  

How can computational tools in construction project execution support promote circularity, sustainability and reduce environmental impact?

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Host: Prof. Dr. Catherine

De Wolf, Brandon Byers, Matt Gordon, and Deepika Raghu

AR-Aided Architecture and Engineering Design

Experience how new technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) tools can support humans in the design of the future buildings.

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Host: Daniela Mitterberger

 Workshop #6  

Designing and Constructing in and for Gradient Realities

In this workshop we will explore what are gradient realities, what are the implications for the AEC industry, and how to prepare for designing and building gradient realities — while also living in them, from the lens of Computer Vision and beyond.

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Host: Dr. Iro Armeni

CROSS-SESSIONS

Match Making Activity (Innovation Booster Robotics)

NTN Innovation Booster Robotics aims to establish robotics as a core pillar of the Swiss economy. It runs under the leadership of Prof. Dr. A. Billard (EPFL) and Prof. Dr. R.   Siegwart (ETHZ).

The NTN team will assist you with being matched with other stakeholders of the conference, so that you can forge contacts and exchange ideas. You never know whom you can meet – your future collaborator, your investor, your academic or industry partners for your projects. Come join us!  

Robotic Fabrication Lab (RFL) Tour

The Robotic Fabrication Laboratory (RFL) is set up as a worldwide unique digital construction environment that allows for internationally leading research in the field of robotic fabrication in architecture and construction. The RFL is a multi-​robotic system based on an overhead running gantry system covering the complete workshop space of the ITA building. 

Immersive Design Lab (IDL) Tour

The Immersive Design Lab (IDL) is an interdisciplinary laboratory at ETH Zurich for future design, architecture and engineering. The IDL creates an unprecedented platform for collaborative research and teaching in the rapidly evolving field of interactive extended reality (XR) and machine learning (ML) in architecture and construction.

SPONSORS

Research Grant

Symposium Sponsor

Cross-Symposium Sponsor

Workshop Sponsor

INDUSTRY KEYNOTES

Dr. Thomas Reisinger

Technology and Portfolio Manager General Industry, ABB

Dominik Courtin

CEO, Basler & Hofmann

Alexandra Stamou

Head of Innovation and Product Management, Halter

Patric Van der Haegen

Division Head Development, Eberhard

Thomas Harring

President, Geosystems at Hexagon AB

Dr. Carsten Rieger

Market Development Manager, SIKA

Dr. Ammar Mirjan

Co-founder, MESH AG

Dr. Timothy Sandy

Co-founder, incon.ai

CONSTRUCTION ROBOTICS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

ETH Zürich, CH

Valens Frangez

Selen Ercan Jenny

ETH Zürich, CH

Hermann Blum

ETH Zürich, CH

Prof. Dr. Marco Hutter

ETH Zürich, CH

TU Eindhoven, NL

Prof. Dr. Rob Wolfs

Prof. Dr. Kathrin Dörfler

TUM, DE

Prof. Dr. Ena Lloret-Fritschi

USI, CH

Dr. Abel Gawel

Huawei, CH

COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

ETH Zürich, CH

Dr. Danielle Griego

Dr. Romana Rust

ETH Zürich, CH

Dr. Michael Kraus

ETH Zürich, CH

Prof. Dr. Robert J Flatt

ETH Zürich, CH

Prof. Dr. Walter Kaufmann

ETH Zürich, CH

Prof. Dr. Stelian Coros

ETH Zürich, CH

ETH Zürich, CH

Prof. Matthias Kohler

VENUE & TRAVEL

The symposiums will take place physically and will be hosted at ETH Zürich Hönngerberg Campus in Zürich, Switzerland. Some travel restrictions may apply at the time of the conference.

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Check the latest official regulations or visit https://travelcheck.admin.ch/ to find out more.

Getting Here

The Hönngerberg campus of ETH Zürich is conveniently connected to both the main Zürich train station (20 minutes) and to Zürich Airport (30 minutes). Arrival by car is also possible, with parking places in the HIL-building garage. 

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Moving Around

Zürich is a very walkable city. You can also easily reach almost any destination in Zürich and in Switzerland by public transportation, which is very safe and reliable at all times of the day. You typically do not need to rent a car.

Accomodation

A variety of hotels are available to suit your needs, from budget to luxury accommodation. They are all well connected via public transportation to the symposium venue. Please visit the Zurich Tourism webpage for more information, or contact them at hotel@zuerich.com