Research project on sustainable construction through digital fabrication

Year : 2022
Place : USI, Mendrisio
Role : Led robotic fabrication, optimized printing paths for performance and visual quality, and programmed texture generation(Grasshopper) through material deposition.

The ZHAW / USI winter school

Workshop Lead :
David Jenny (ZHAW), Prof. Dr. Ena Lloret-Fritschi (USI)

Collaborators USI :
Yen-Fen Chan, Sacha Cutajar, Fabio Amicarelli, Selen Ercan Jenny

Collaborators ZHAW :
Samuel Rebelo Garcia, Patric Fischli-Boson

Industry Partner :
Oxara: Dr. Thibault Demoulin and Dr. Gnanli Landrou

Students :
David Baumgartner, Sofia Distefano, Emmanuel Gnagne, Kai Guhl, Fumiya Hitomi, Ken Huber, Edoardo Lagrasta, Erlisia Ramazza, Emira Reddjepi, Lotte Schlör, Meltem Simsek, Tamara Skoric, Kiani Suo, Anastasia Trajkovic, Francesco Tucci, Michelle Wüthrich

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Today’s architectural building processes are among the most environmentally damaging human activities. This Winter School addresses how architects and engineers can contribute to a shift toward sustainability by integrating earthen construction with digital fabrication. Focusing on a real-world project—a fully functional exterior staircase made of earthen materials—we explore the critical role of architects and engineers in driving this change.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration, we design and construct an ultra-thin formwork, including a 3D-printed earthen structure and a stair cast using an innovative earth-based concrete, Cleancrete©, from ETH spin-off Oxara. This project serves as a prototype and a statement for the systemic change needed in our built environment.