This website about DFAB HOUSE in Switzerland was found in the Robotics tab. This website is the home page for the collaborative research group DFAB House, which is run by the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication. The main goal of the NCCR Digital Fabrication is to be leaders in the development and integration of digital technology within the field of architecture. DFAB HOUSE utilizes the In situ Fabricator, which is an autonomous on-site construction robot, to apply innovative building processes during construction. The In situ Fabricator is used along with processes such as Mesh Mould, Smart Dynamic Casting, Smart Slab, and Spatial Timber Assemblies to efficiently and digitally construct a building. This website is a great example of how robots can revolutionize and streamline both the design and construction process. Implementing robotics in the design and fabrication phase of construction is the future of the architectural and engineering design world.
AI
This article discusses the big trends in technology seen at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this weekend. A majority of the companies at CES 2018 showcased automated technologies that made everyday appliances, such as refrigerators and lights, smarter. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) isn't new in the smart house conversation, companies like Nest have been using AI technology to make thermostats and cameras to make homes smarter. The growing trend of internet-connected home products will help make lives much easier. However, this still means that the design and construction phase of a building would need to rely on humans while the AI goes in after the fact. I think it will be interesting to see how AI can be used in the future for designing and construction tasks.
3D Printing
This article found in the 3D Printing tag describes the research done at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) on 3D printed building envelopes. Research was led by Moritz Mungenast who describes the concept as Fluid Morphology - which is derived from the surface of the envelope which ripples and bulges similar to a fluid. Mungenast explains that while the structure looks like it has no pattern, the design is very deliberate. The material used to 3D print the façade allows for the envelope to be adaptable to the user's needs, provide sun shading, look aesthetically pleasing, and have ideal acoustics. The micro structure of the envelope also means that it can perform well structurally and the air pockets can be used to insulate the building. This video did a great job of describing what the concept was and I think it would really useful in the future.
Future
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV6zXmIR3CgThis video found in the Future tag talks about the technology that could impact the future of construction. The six technologies discussed in the video are: wearable tech, robotics, the internet of things (IoT), virtual/ augmented reality, UAVs or drones, and 3D printing. Wearable technology already exists today in the form of Apple Watches and Fitbits, however this technology could also be used on the construction site as a form of monitoring workers health and location. Robotics is fairly new to the engineering and construction industry, but is most likely going to be more common in the future. Robots used during the construction has certain advantages such as efficiency and increased worker safety. The IoT is a data network that connects devices and allows information to be shared between them, which can be used by construction managers to monitor their teams and work. Drones have been recently used to do surveying and inspections, however the use of drones in the construction industry has more room to grow. 3D printing, while not typically used in the industry, has the ability to revolutionize how buildings are designed and built.
Comments:
Kerry M,
I also read the article about the shadow-less skyscraper, and I found the video in the website really interesting. I agree that computers are integral in the engineering field today, however plans such as this pushes what we can do with computers. I would like to see this specific building built because I think it would be really interesting to sit in the light well created. In addition to adding more light to the lower levels of the building, I think computers could also be used in this scenario to analyze the possibility of generating solar energy from the light being reflected.
Thomas S,
I find your coverage about the floating 3D printer and the effort to create a 3D printed steel bridge to be fascinating. I agree that the material used to construct the steel bridge is very important and could pose some challenges, however I also want to know if the printer itself would be able to withstand outside forces such as extreme weather conditions. Given that Amsterdam is relatively rainy, I wonder if the printer would be able to handle adverse weather conditions and print a structurally stable steel bridge.
Jordan S,
Your article on robotics was really interesting to read, and I agree that the use of robotics in the service industry is a challenging topic. On one hand, I know I would think it's cool if a robot was taking my order but I also fear for the ever growing poverty that faces middle and lower class families. This applies not only to the service industry, but to other industries as well since most blue collar jobs could be replaced by robots at some point. I think it would be either the state's or government's job to assist those who cannot afford to go to college and allow them to grow as robots take over more jobs.
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ReplyDeleteI was intrigued by the article you found on #D printing building envelopes. I feel that 3D printing buildings has been a goal engineers have been moving towards for so long and is where the construction world is moving forward too. I feel right now the concern is how to reinforce structures that are being 3D printed through these robots, which is something I feel will be established soon if not now
ReplyDeleteAllison,
ReplyDeleteYour post on robotics is quite enjoyable, and honestly by implementing autonomous on-site robot, the construction industry would maintain its edge in the world of inventions. I totally agree that such methods will efficiently facilitate the construction process. However, my concern is what is the impacts on human involvement within the construction industry, and since they do not have the inspiration to create or design; what will be our point of view of this aspect. Lastly, I don’t think that we are fully prepared to step into this new era and their implication on a more general level is far beyond 10 years.
3D Printing:
ReplyDeleteThe 3D Printing of building envelopes video had great visuals and theoretical concepts. However, there are some parts that leave me confused as to how it functions. Specifically, I am talking about how it has ventilation as well as insulation because any means of hole or pore in the envelope would compromise insulation. But this could also be because there is an intricate and complex design behind this. I hope their tests work out as this would bring a new way of putting up building facades in a more sustainable and efficient manner.
Hi Allison! We watched the same video about 3D printing! Isn't it so cool to see that building envelop can actually be printed with 3D printers nowadays? I agree with you that I also think 3D printing can bring building design to a bright future and I am really looking forward to it. However, I think it is also important to think about problems like sound insulation and visual connections.
ReplyDeleteAbad,
ReplyDeleteFuture: Thanks for sharing w the link of 6 construction tech trends on your post. As I was watching the video I was thinking that the future is actually already here and all we can think now is how to use it for making our world better. It is possible now to change the world into a better place. For example, we can use 3D printing to print houses for homeless people, and print the houses for people who lost their home from natural disaster.