Initiated in 2014, the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication aims to revolutionise architecture through the seamless combination of digital technologies and physical building processes. Over 60 researchers from six different academic disciplines collaborate to develop ground-breaking technologies for tomorrow’s construction. Their research allows Switzerland to take a leading position within the global field of digital fabrication. The NCCR Digital Fabrication is the first NCCR focused on architecture and construction funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). Initiated at ETH Zurich, it is partnered with EPF Lausanne, the Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the Bern University of Applied Sciences and Empa.
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18.12.2024
The Caschlatsch project has received the 2024 Norman Blank Prize. This project focuses on building a wooden frame structure at a historic site in the Grison Mountains. The structure combines traditional craftsmanship with robotic technology.
05.12.2024
An MAS programme from the Block Research Group is about to start. After fifteen years of research and the latest applications in practice, participants in the MAS ETH CSD programme can now benefit from the experience of pioneers in sustainable construction.
21.11.2024
NCCR DFAB alumna Yu Zhang will start as Assistant Professor of Architecture and Design at the University of Cambridge, UK, in the Department of Architecture on 1 December 2024.
20.11.2024
As part of the ‘Women in Tech’ initiative of the Canton of Zurich, the FDP Women of the Canton of Zurich visited the Robotic Fabrication Lab. There were inputs from Prof. Dr. Vanessa Wood and Carmen Walker Späh.
14.11.2024
Together with Design++, the NCCR Digital Fabrication hosted a group of 22 children at the Institute of Technology in Architecture for the Swiss National Future Day 2024.
11.11.2024
The third Future of Construction Symposium took place at USI in Mendrisio, bringing together NCCR DFAB researchers, alumni and experts. The event featured workshops and discussions on the past and future of construction.
14.11.2024
On the morning of 14 November 2023, ETH Zurich will open the doors to the world of science for children! They will have the opportunity to discover a range of interesting projects as part of the NCCR DFAB programme.Please note that the places in the NCCR DFAB programme are already fully booked this year.
05.11.2024 - 07.11.2024
The Future of Construction Symposium 2024 is taking place 5–7 November 2024 at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, Switzerland. This year, the symposium will be themed “Making the Past Productive” and it is organised by the professorship on Fabrication and Material Aware Architecture at the USI Università della Svizzera italiana and the Chair of…
14.09.2024 - 15.09.2024
Construction, as any act of making, can suffer from unpredictability, thus, requiring on-the-fly adjustments. Recent advancements in construction robotics are mostly limited to predefined construction plans with few breakthroughs for unstructured environments. Human-in-the-loop…
26.08.2024 - 30.08.2024
The NCCR Digital Fabrication, in collaboration with ETH Zürich, is pleased to host the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) annual symposium on 26-30 August 2024. The theme of IASS 2024 is “Redefining the Art of Structural Design” which will highlight the important legacy of structural design in Switzerland as well as…
11.06.2024
Innovative technologies are revolutionising the construction industry. This is why Innovation Zurich, ETH Zurich and NCCR Digital Fabrication are inviting visitors to the "Innovative Bautechnologien" event at the Switzerland Innovation Park…
21.05.2024 - 24.05.2024
Philippe Fleischmann is Head of the Industrial Robotics and Automation Department in the Robotic Fabrication Lab (RFL). This summer, he travelled to Ottawa (Canada) for a sabbatical to help set up the Carleton Sensory Architecture and Liminal Technologies (CSALT) Lab at Carlton University. This has now led to a workshop during the…