Experimental ARCHITECTURE
x COMPLEX CONCRETE 3D PRINTING

SDU CREATE SUMMER SCHOOL 2024

SCHOOL FOCUS

In the last few decades, Additive Manufacturing has been revolutionizing the design and construction practice, offering unparalleled opportunities for innovation and sustainability in the built environment. In the realm of concrete 3D printing, however, the full potential of sustainable construction has not yet been reached, as the industry mainly prioritizes straight walls and linear structures with no strategic and optimized material deposition.

This Summer School focuses on unlocking the possibilities of complex concrete 3D printing through an immersive exploration of computational design strategies and cutting-edge robotic construction processes. By embracing the challenges posed by complex geometries to reach structurally performative morphologies, valuable insights into the interplay between design intent, material properties, and fabrication constraints will be gained.

Through hands-on experimentation and collaborative learning, we will engage in the design and fabrication of 1:1 scale prototypes that showcase the transformative capabilities of complex concrete printing. Utilizing state-of-the-art robotic technologies and computational design tools, participants will explore innovative approaches to creating structures characterized by intricate geometries and dynamic forms.

COMPLEX CONCRETE 3D PRINTING

HARDWARE - ROBOTIC 3D CONCRETE PRINTING

The Summer School will be based on the use of industrial robots and extrusion systems for concrete 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 modelling are warmly recommended. The main software utilized will be Rhinoceros + Grasshopper, however, integrations with other software will be possible.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

THIS COURSE AIMS TO PROVIDE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT:

+ Advanced robotic fabrication technologies, their characteristics, possibilities and limitations

+ Robot programming and control in the context of concrete 3D printing

+ The potential enabled by the use of digital fabrication and robotic 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 WILL BE 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 additive manufacturing processes

+ Fabricate and build full-scale prototypes

THROUGH THIS COURSE, participants will GAIN THE COMPETENCIES TO:

+ Autonomously plan and conduct specific design and construction experiments on a given topic and  discuss the results

+ Develop research-driven projects in the field of architectural robotics and manage the complexity of multifaceted design-fabrication processes, data and analysis

+ Autonomously prototype, test and critically evaluate specific digital fabrication technique

+ Engage with agile and bottom-up design and construction processes and materials/fabrication experimentations

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 two-week full-time intensive experience held in person (not online), that allows the students to be immersed in the research environment, develop and apply their skills in computational design and digital fabrication and push their knowledge to a new level.

The course is 5 ECTS credits. Places are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis to a maximum of 20 students.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1st MAY 2024 through the Online Application System.

FEES VARY ACCORDING TO YOUR SCHOOL OF ORIGIN:

+ Exchange Students from Danish institutions and from 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 accommodation at a 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 2024, visit this page.

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

For questions about subscription and administrative matters, please contact summerschool@sdu.dk.