Experimental ARCHITECTURE
with CONCRETE 3D Printing

SDU CREATE SUMMER SCHOOL 2020

SCHOOL FOCUS

In the age of digitalization for every sector, the building industry is slowly embracing new tools and technologies that challenges conventional methods of construction. Among these, 3D printing has the potential to disrupt the way we conceive, design, and build, by overcoming those inherent limitations of nowadays standards in the sector. This expands the set of possibilities for architects, designers, and engineers to foresee more functional, performative, and sustainable construction processes and buildings.

How does Robotic Concrete 3D Printing contribute to the realm of architecture and construction? What tectonic articulations can be conceived by means of such technology? How can it lead to a high-performance architecture? How can 3D Printing make the built environment more sustainable? These are some of the driving questions that the Summer School will adopt, to explore new concepts and translate them into design artifacts.

Through a design/make approach that will iterate between computational design techniques, simulation and fabrication, we will experiment with  structural and tectonic configurations. The school outcomes will include physical prototypes that showcase the possibilities offered by robotic concrete 3D printing through  the relation between process, material and morphology.

3D PRINTING AT LARGE SCALE

HARDWARE - Digital Fabrication Machinery

The Summer School will be mainly based on the use of large scale industrial robots for 3D Printing. Complimentary Digital Fabrication tools, such as large, medium and small scale 3D printers will be used as necessary to experiment with a range of materials and techniques.

Software - 3D MODELLING AND SIMULATION

No computational design experience is strictly necessary, but the basics of 3D modeling are recommended. The main software utilized will be Rhinoceros + Grasshopper, however integrations with other software will be possible.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of this course is to provide knowledge about:

+ The emerging digital technologies of fabrication, such as Additive Manufacturing (AM) and robotics, their characteristics, possibilities, and limitations

+ The potential enabled by the use of large scale 3D Printing and digital fabrication technologies in the context of design and construction

+ Computational tools for design, engineering, and fabrication that allow the integration of material, manufacturing, and performance

Participants ARE able to work with the following skills:

+ Design through visual programming and parametric modelling

+ Use digital tools for early-stage analysis and optimization of material, geometrical and mechanical performance within the design process

+ Manufacture experimental construction systems through digital fabrication processes

+ Fabricate and build full scale prototypes

Through this course, students gain THE competences to:

+ Evaluate the possible uses of various digital fabrication techniques in the exploration of new design solutions for architectural systems and structures

+ Involve the use of computational workflows to manage the process from design to fabrication of custom construction systems

Subscription and Fees

The course is open to professionals and students at Bachelor, Master, and PhD level from Architecture, Design, Engineering, and related fields. This is a full-time intensive experience, that allows the students to be immersed in the research environment and push their limits; therefore, selected applicants are not required to be involved in other curriculum courses, unless agreed with their supervisor.

The course is 5 ECTS credits. Places are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis to a maximum of 15 students.
EXTENDED APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1 June 2020* through the Online Application System.

* Applicants who will not be able to travel to Denmark for the course because of borders restrictions in the summer will be refunded.

Fees vary according to your school of origin:

+ Exchange Students from Danish institutions and SDU International Partner Universities - No Fees

+ EU Participants (non-partner institutions) - 570 € 

+ Non-EU Participants (non-partner institutions) - 1160 €

Participants in the Summer School are offered an accommodation at student friendly rate. You can find more information on the fee and accommodation here.

Information and Contacts 

For information about the general organization of the SDU International Summer School 2020, visit this page.

For questions related to the program, applicants’ qualifications, or research topic (for PhD Students) please contact Assistant Professor Roberto Naboni via email: ron@iti.sdu.dk.

For questions about practical matters please contact summerschool@sdu.dk.