gramazio kohler's mesh mould project investigates a robotically fabricated material system

gramazio kohler are a research project agency that focuses on additive digital fabrication techniques used for building non-standardized architectural components. through analysis and experimentation, they investigate the changes in architectural production requirements that result from introducing digital manufacturing techniques. their interest lies in combining data and material and the resulting implications this has on the architectural design and technology. 

gramazio kohler are a research project agency that focuses on additive digital fabrication techniques

gramazio kohler‘s research project ‘mesh mould’ investigates the unification of reinforcement and formwork into a single robotically fabricated material system.

during the first research phase a spatial robotic extrusion process was developed, allowing to examine the interdependencies of mesh typology and rheological behavior of concrete. the second research phase at the national competence centre in research (NCCR) digital fabrication – focused on the translation of the structurally weak polymer-based extrusion process into a fully load-bearing construction system. the ongoing project looks at the development of a fully automated bending and welding process for meshes fabricated from 3 mm steel wire. the research involves the development of a fabrication and structurally-informed mesh typology as well as the subsequent collaborative development of a specialized robotic end-effector. 

during the first research phase a spatial robotic extrusion process was developed

the process examined the interdependencies of mesh typology and rheological behavior of concrete

the second phase focused on the translation of the structurally weak polymer-based extrusion process

the ongoing project focuses on the development of a fully automated bending and welding process for meshes 

process 

final structure using ‘mesh mould’ process 

project info:

project: gramazio kohler research, eth zurich
research programme: nccr digital fabrication
collaborators: norman hack (project lead), dr. nitish kumar, kathrin dörfler, alexander nikolas walzer, dr. jaime mata falcon, michael lyrenmann, lex reiter, dr. tim wangler, philippe fleischmann, andreas reusser
selected experts: agile & dexterous robotics lab (prof. dr. jonas buchli), institute of robotics and intelligent systems, eth zurich, physical chemistry of building materials group (prof. dr. robert j. flatt),institute for building materials, eth zurich, concrete structures and bridge design (prof. dr. walter kaufmann) institute for structural engineering, eth zurich
industry partner: sika technology ag, switzerland

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: hollie smith | designboom