Thesis Projects
Nubian Vaulted Slabs: Design and fabrication using 3D concrete printing
This thesis explores a horizontal 3D concrete printing method for compression-only structures, inspired by Nubian vaults, to optimise geometry, printability, and sustainability in architectural practice.
Students: Huang Su, Yo Cheng Lee
Thesis Supervisors: Dr. Ana Anton dbt, Dr. Andrei Jipa dbt, Dr. Lukas Gebhard Chair of Concrete Structures and Bridge Design
Automated Finishing Strategies for Impact Printed Structures
This research investigates Automated Finishing Strategies for Impact Printed Structures, using a 6 DoF robot to develop adaptive surface finishing techniques that enhance customisation, aesthetics, and environmental resistance while maintaining ecological benefits.
Students: Carl P-Conquilla, Zac Zhuo Zhang
Thesis Supervisors: Kunaljit Chadha GKR, Dr. Lauren Vasey GKR
Clay Acoustic Patterns
This research explores clay 3D printing for acoustic design, developing a workflow that integrates design strategies, robotic motion planning, and acoustic evaluation to create custom clay acoustic prototypes for enhancing interior spaces.
Students: Ana Ascic, Ramon Lopez
Thesis Supervisors: Maria Smigielska (dbt), Dr. Achilleas Xydis (GKR), Ioanna Mitropoulo (dbt)
Collaborative Augmented Assembly
This project introduces Collaborative Augmented Assemblies (CAA), a phone-based AR application that facilitates human-robot collaboration and dynamic task distribution for assembling complex wooden structures in real-time.
Students: Eleni Vasiliki Alexi, Joseph Clair Kenny
Thesis Supervisors: Dr. Daniela Mitterberger GKR, Gonzalo Casas GKR
Exploring Architectural Expressions through Discrete Design and Reinforcement Learning
This thesis explores how integrating Discrete Design with Reinforcement Learning can inspire innovative architectural designs, emphasizing unconventional spatial relationships, human-centric living spaces, and new workflows for creative and interdisciplinary design.
Student: Ahmed Elmaraghy
Thesis Supervisors: Dr. Anton Savov dbt, Hang Zhang dbt, Mark Tam BRG
Designing with Deep Reinforcement Learning
This research explores the integration of deep reinforcement learning and voxelized space generation to create habitability-centered, fabrication-aware designs, leveraging AI to optimize spatial configurations based on human affordance studies.
Students: (Hill) Yixiao Huang
Thesis Supervisors: Dr. Anton Savov dbt, Hang Zhang dbt, Mark Tam BRG
Digital Fabrication of Biologically Active Cement Spatial Structures
This research investigates the integration of microbial biocementation with robotic granular 3D printing to develop cementitious structures with intricate geometries, advancing bio-fabrication in architecture through computational design and robotic methods.
Student: Nijat Mahamaliyev
Thesis Supervisors: Andrea Ling(dbt), Karen Antorveza (dbt)
Technical staff: Tobias Hartmann (dbt); project intern: Georg Bauer (TU Wien)
Brick Design 2.0
This research focuses on developing a Python-based parametric design plug-in for brick facades, leveraging COMPAS to integrate academic insights with practical applications, enabling informed, robot-ready models with IFC interoperability.
Student: Adam Anouar
Thesis Supervisors: Chen Kasirer (GKR), Gonzalo Casas (GKR), Dr. Petrus Aejmelaeus-Lindström (GKR)
Circular Material Inventory for Circular Design Generation
This thesis proposes a platform combining an enhanced material database and machine learning to facilitate early-stage design with reclaimed materials, addressing gaps in circular construction and promoting sustainable practices.
Students: Jan Law, Kevin Chang
Thesis Supervisors: Beril Önalan CEA, Simon Griffioen dbt, Dominik Reisach CHP / dbt, Yael Ifrah dbt
Immersive VR
This thesis investigates immersive architectural design exploration using VR and motion tracking, focusing on transitioning from 2D to 3D design spaces, enabling intuitive client-architect collaboration, and enhancing user interfaces for visualization and feedback.
Students: Yuki Xue Chen, Etienne Pavoncello
Thesis Supervisors: Dr. Anton Savov dbt, Wenqian Yang, dbt
Computational Design and Assembly of Infinitely Reusable Kit of parts
This project combines standardized components with computational design and augmented reality tools to create reversible and multipurpose space frames, demonstrating flexibility and robustness in both small-scale furniture and full-scale pavilion construction.
Students: Issue Yi Hsiu Hung, Chenming Jiang
Thesis Supervisors: Dr. Ziqi Wang (CRL), Dr. Yijiang Huang (CRL), Aurèle Gheyselinck (GKR), Dr. Petrus Aejmelaeus-Lindström (GKR)
Fungal Flexible Formworks
This research explores integrating fungi-based bio-composites with textile formworks to produce full-scale prototypes, demonstrating material substitution and integration with concrete, aiming to expand the design space and develop novel fabrication methods for laminated fungal composites.
Students: Abhipsa Pal, Karunadhipathi Lihin Weera
Thesis Supervisors: Tiziano Derme dbt, Francesco Ranaudo BRG
Expressive Functionalities
This research focuses on fabricating 3D-printed facade panels with thermoplastic polyester, using ABB gantry robots to integrate thermal functionality and aesthetics, culminating in a 2m x 2m facade mock-up that explores optimal pattern and cavity designs for enhanced U-values.
Students: Brian Chen, Katie Gallagher
Thesis Supervisors: Francesco Milano (GKR), Valeria Piccioni (NCCR Digital Fabrication)