The first-year students of the Master in Robotics & Advanced Construction (MRAC) recently had the opportunity to visit ABB and Tallfusta as part of the Studio I ‘Hybrid Workflows.’ The studio, led by Vincent Huyghe and Marielena Papandreou, focuses on computational design, robotic fabrication, and sustainable material exploration, emphasizing the integration of advanced technologies in the fields of robotics and construction.

First-year students started the first term of this Academic Year with a Research Studio on Robotic Craft. The Studio I “Hybrid Workflows” seeks to explore innovative opportunities by blending materials and learning about contemporary manufacturing processes, and sensing technologies. The chosen materials primarily include renewable, reclaimed, or sustainably sourced options, with a focus on timber and clay.

As an integral part of the studio, students visited ABB and Tallfusta getting a better understanding into the latest advancements in robotics and sustainable timber practices in architecture. At ABB, students were guided by Jose Llombart, ABB sales advisor, and Anna Andrés Ribas, responsible for customer training in the robotics area. The visit to ABB provided students with exposure to the latest robotic technologies used in industrial process automation.

At Tallfusta, the manager Ignasi Caus, led the students through the sustainable practices of timber usage in construction. This visit aimed to help students learn more about how the materials and ways we build things can affect the environment, aligning with the studio’s emphasis on sustainable and reclaimed materials.

The Studio I “Hybrid Workflows” offers a comprehensive learning experience for students, combining theoretical knowledge with practical exposure. By integrating these two visits to ABB and Tallfusta, MRAC’s industry partners, students are better equipped to address the challenges of contemporary design and construction with a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and technological innovation.

About ABB
ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated.

About Tallfusta
Tallfusta is a family-owned enterprise, boasting over 75 years of experience in wooden construction. Renowned for pioneering structural solutions and prefabricated wooden buildings, the company integrates design, manufacturing, and on-site assembly through its technical office, industrial workshop, and dedicated teams. Operating in accordance with sustainable construction practices and passive building criteria, Tallfusta exemplifies the highest standards of both environmental responsibility and craftsmanship.

About the Master in Robotics & Advanced Construction
Through a mixture of seminars, workshops and studio projects, the Master in Robotics & Advanced Construction challenges the traditional processes in the Construction Sector, investigating how advances in robotics and digital fabrication tools change the way we build.

 

Apply to the Master in Robotics & Advanced Construction today, the first Application Period for the Academic Year 2024/25 is now open.