The use of industrial robots in construction

Today, September 30, 2009 at 19.00 in the "Storefront for Art and Architecture" in New York, the opening of a new exhibition was held on which the research conducted over the past 3 years by ETH Zurich by Swiss architects Gramatio and Kohler (Gramazio & Kohler): full-scale architectural production using industrial robots. At the same time at Pike st. NYC launched the first architectural project in the United States, which will be built entirely using an industrial robot.

Located on Pike st., The R / O / B robot will work for about four weeks in front of the public to build an installation of very sculpted brick walls reflecting the nature of the territory. The same robot built the composition "Structural Oscillations", awarded at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2008.
For installation on Pike st. More than 7,000 bricks will be used which together form an endless cycle that will flow around the pedestrian island. Installation looks very difficult: in a closed cycle of constantly changing rhythms, the loops of the canvas rise above the ground and intersect themselves at peak heights (see the title image). Construction takes place as part of the Creative Program under the auspices of the New York City Transportation Department.
For many years, architects have relied on digital manufacturing processes, such as milling machines or 3D printers, as a tool for researching large-scale models. For the first time, the work of Gramazio and Kohler explores the potential of mobile digital production methods that allow the model to be executed on a 1: 1 scale on the spot.


Similar industrial robots are usually used to build cars and perform other tasks of high accuracy.


brick canvas general view: an

approximate image, appreciate the accuracy and complexity of the masonry:

Video from the 2008 Venice Biennale:


exhibition runs through November 14th at Storefront for Art and Architecture, 97 Kenmare St., NYC