On-site Robotic Fabrication

Adaptive reuse architectural projects involve repurposing existing buildings for new uses, offering benefits such as embodied energy conservation and reduced environmental impact. However, retrofitting existing buildings can present challenges in terms of design, documentation, and on-site efficiency when compared to new construction. Mobile robotic systems have emerged as a promising solution for achieving factory-efficient fabrication processes on-site. This case study explores the use of a mobile robotic arm platform together with augmented reality and parametric modeling in the design and on-site fabrication of a small- scale adaptive reuse project. The results demonstrate the potential of mobile robotic systems, specifically robot arms, for pairing flexible design with high fabrication efficiency, paving the way for sustainable architectural design innovation in existing buildings. Emphasize that computational design and robots allow for flexibility in design specifications, meaning that the designers can adapt and adjust designs in place as new site information becomes available.