Robotics Lab
ABOUT
The Robotics Lab (RL) is a research group at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) that investigates robotics and digital technologies for a sustainable architecture and construction industry. We believe in a future where humans and robots work together to build cities in symbiosis with our environment.
Our methodology combines academic research with industrial collaboration to develop state-of-the-art solutions to answer the current challenges of the construction industry in sustainability, productivity, and craftsmanship. We work in a multidisciplinary team, at the intersection of design, manufacturing, and materials, opening new opportunities for radical innovations.
We currently have a strong focus on 3D printing with sustainable materials, robotic fabrication with recycled materials, scanning buildings for renovation, and robotic craft interactions.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
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 eco-system. The Master is focused on the emerging design and market opportunities arising from novel robotic and advanced manufacturing systems.
The Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture is a 6-month long intensive applied research in the field of additive manufacturing of sustainable architecture. Between the use of advanced technology for construction and the desire to develop a holistic design approach to architecture, we engage with different areas of research that include robotic manufacturing, material research and performance-based design.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
The MAA is oriented towards architects, engineers and designers, eager to imagine the future of our cities and societies and committed to building it in the present.
The MaCT is orientated towards training change makers that city administrations, governments, industries, and communities need, in order to develop projects for the transformation of our cities in the era of big data.
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 eco-system. The Master is focused on the emerging design and market opportunities arising from novel robotic and advanced manufacturing systems.
The Master in Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design – MaCAD is a unique online programme training a new generation of architects, engineers and designers with the skills that the industry of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) demands nowadays.
The Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture is a 6-month long intensive applied research in the field of additive manufacturing of sustainable architecture. Between the use of advanced technology for construction and the desire to develop a holistic design approach to architecture, we engage with different areas of research that include robotic manufacturing, material research and performance-based design.
Developed in partnership with the Australian Swinburne University of Technology, the PhD programme runs in an OffShore modality, allowing researchers to develop their research in IAAC’s Barcelona campus, developing a period of research in the Melbourne based facilities of Swinburne, and receiving the title from this same university, ranked in the top 3% of universities worldwide.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
DeCO2 offers a location-based, user-centric portfolio of materials and renovation systems adapted to local industrial ecosystems.
The project Q3D provides AI Quality control and correction for 3D printing with recycled and natural materials.
EU grants IAAC to support education in Robotics for the construction industry IAAC has recently been selected by the ROSIN European project to develop the…
The project “Better CNC Factory” aims to reduce wood waste from CNC production by deploying Industry 4.0 strategies (digital twin, automation, workflow and material optimization)…
The project aims to show how cross-sectoral innovation can bring new solutions to integrate waste in the 3D printing of construction elements. Robotic technologies (such…
EU Project DIGIPROT (2021-2022) Description DIGIPROT integrates advanced robotics technologies, artificial intelligence techniques and digital modeling in order to reconstruct the energy model of an…
3DPA started the collaboration with WASP in 2021-22 building TOVA.
Dimensión Remota proposes the development and implementation of a digital twin ecosystem for remote and automated inspection of building.
PROJECTS
IAAC designs and constructs Spain’s first 3D printed building using earth and Crane WASP.
The first pedestrian bridge printed in 3D in the world was inaugurated last December 14 in the urban park of Castilla-La Mancha in Alcobendas, Madrid.…
A team formed by the study Isern associats, Ceramica Cumella and the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) has built a musical robotic facade made with a robot that translates Max Richter’s music in lines on ceramics.
CO-MIDA : BIOPHOTOVOLTAIC VERTICAL GARDENS 3D PRINTED WITH CLAY The inauguration of the CO-mida vertical garden at ConnectHort, on March 5th 2022, will be the…
Fusta Robòtica is a research project realized as part of the Open Thesis Fabrication 2015. IaaC OTF 2015 Fusta Robòtica is an experimental project that…
The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), based in Barcelona, has, for some time now, been exploring and investigating the potentials of additive manufacturing…
MATAERIAL is a brand new method of additive manufacturing. This patent-pending method allows for creating 3D objects on any given working surface, independently of its…
In recent years, the intersection of technology, robots and art has resulted in some of the most groundbreaking and thrilling performances.
EUROPEAN FUNDED RESEARCH
EU Project URBiNAT (2018-2023) Description URBiNAT focuses on the regeneration and integration of deprived districts in urban development through innovative Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) - an…
EU Project InnoChain (2015-2019) Description The InnoChain ETN network aims to expand, synthesise and consolidate knowledge into computation-informed building design practice across academia and practice. This…
EU Project KAAU - Knowledge Alliance for Advanced Urbanism (2015-2018) Description KAAU group works for the sensitive integration of ICT in cities, taking in consideration cultural…
EU Project Active Public Space (2015-2017) Description Active Public Space (APS) is an initiative focused in the transformation of city public spaces into active and dynamic…
EU Project Creative Food Cycles (2018-2020) Description “Creative Food Cycles” enhances innovative and creative practices between food, architecture and conviviality in a transnational and European…
EU Project BUILDS – Building Urban Intelligent Living Design Solutions (2019-2021) Description “BUILDS” aims to fill the gap in the biotechnology sector applied to smart…
EU Project Public Play Space Description Public Play Space EU-funded project attempts to provide with innovative and pioneering practices, in a transnational and European perspective,…
EU grants IAAC to support education in Robotics for the construction industry IAAC has recently been selected by the ROSIN European project to develop the…
EU Project Pop – Machina (Number 821479) Description Promoting a more circular production paradigm, engaging communities, and promoting urban and community development can be achieved…
Living Prototypes Digital Fabrication Processes and Prototypes for Resource-Conscious Living Spaces “Living Prototypes” is a Collaborative Project on digitally fabricated prototypes for residential buildings, using…
EU Project DIGIPROT (2021-2022) Description DIGIPROT integrates advanced robotics technologies, artificial intelligence techniques and digital modeling in order to reconstruct the energy model of an…
The project “Better CNC Factory” aims to reduce wood waste from CNC production by deploying Industry 4.0 strategies (digital twin, automation, workflow and material optimization)…
The project aims to show how cross-sectoral innovation can bring new solutions to integrate waste in the 3D printing of construction elements. Robotic technologies (such…
NATIONAL AND INDUSTRY FUNDED RESEARCH
CO-MIDA : HUERTOS VERTICALES IMPRESOS EN 3D CON ARCILLA QUE PRODUCEN ENERGÍA Click here for the English version La inauguración del huerto vertical CO-mida en…
A team formed by the study Isern associats, Ceramica Cumella and the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) has built a musical robotic facade made with a robot that translates Max Richter’s music in lines on ceramics.
The first pedestrian bridge printed in 3D in the world was inaugurated last December 14 in the urban park of Castilla-La Mancha in Alcobendas, Madrid.…
Project CGV: CYBER GREEN VOLTAICS (2018-2019) Description Green wall built in clay with 3D printer that incorporates biophotovoltaic technology Call Agrupaciones Empresariales Innovadoras (AEI 2018)…
ON SITE ROBOTICSBringing Robotics to the Construction Site to Manufacture the Future On Site Robotics is a collaborative project of IAAC and TECNALIA, which demonstrates…
