Robots - The Future of Building?

The Fabricate 2011 Conference, hosted by the UCL Bartlett School of Architecture, showcased the installation 'Stratifications' by Gramazio & Kohler, Architecture and Digital Fabrication, ETH Zurich. 'Stratifications' uses a multiple-axis robot on a caterpillar base to perform real-time construction, combining digital design and methods in fabrication that are not possible with traditional manual building methods. This is the first time that this approach to building has been seen in the UK. Designed and realised by Gramazio & Kohler, Architecture and Digital Fabrication, ETH Zurich (in cooperation with Bachmann Engineering AG, Zofingen) Further information: UCL Bartlett: http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/ Gramazio & Kohler: http://www.dfab.arch.ethz.ch Ruairi Glynn: http://www.aac.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/people/ruairi/ Bob Sheil: http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/research/architecture/profiles/Sheil.htm

FABRICATE - 3D printing and computer-aided-manufacturing

Media coverage and events focused on fabrication continue to proliferate.
First up - On March 25-26th academic leaders and pioneering fabricators converge in Los Angeles for the SCI-arc conference on composites and digital fabrication. The event is free but prior registration is required.

Next up, the FABRICATE conference in London on April 15-16th. BLDGBLOG contributes some background and enthusiasm for the event.


The Economist put 3D printing on the front page of the February 10th issue with this compelling photo and title, "Print me a Stradivarius."



and subtitled, "How a new manufacturing technology will change the world" and an article stating that it may have as profound an impact on the world as the coming of the factory did.

And now for some fun. Watch a Japanese industrial robot picking cookies in this video.



A WiiLabyrinth with a KUKA youBot