Fabio Gramazio: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2021

Name Prof. Fabio Gramazio
FieldArchitecture and Digital Design
Address
Architektur & Digitale Fabrikation
ETH Zürich, HIB E 43
Stefano-Franscini-Platz 1
8093 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
E-mailgramazio@arch.ethz.ch
DepartmentArchitecture
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
051-1226-21LIntegrated Discipline Architecture and Digital Fabrication Information Restricted registration - show details
Enrolment only possible after consultation with the lecturer.
3 credits2UF. Gramazio, M. Kohler
AbstractThe Integrated Discipline deals with the interrelation between material and algorithmic design. The direct control of production data opens up new possibilities for design strategies that are exempt from the limitations of standard CAD software. The Integration of process, function and design allows for a new approach to the production of architecture.
ObjectiveThe objective of this course is to develop a strategy for a surface structure that incorporates design ideas about space, material and light. The structure can be developed in any suitable scripting language. The procedural logics should be defined through the constructive potential and properties of the chosen material and transform it at the same time in order to achieve a new architectural expression.
ContentWe use the term digital materiality to describe an emergent transformation in the expression of architecture. Materiality is increasingly being enriched with digital characteristics, which substantially affect architecture’s physis. Digital materiality evolves through the interplay between digital and material processes in design and construction. The synthesis of two seemingly distinct worlds – the digital and the material – generates new, self-evident realities. Data and material, programming and construction are interwoven. This synthesis is enabled by the techniques of digital fabrication, which allows the architect to control the manufacturing process through design data. Material is thus enriched by information; material becomes “informed.” In the future, architects’ ideas will permeate the fabrication process in its entirety. This new situation transforms the possibilities and thus the professional scope of the architect.
052-0626-00LHistorical and Systematic Aspects of Acoustic Design in Architecture (FS)
Does not take place this semester.
This course is postponed to HS21 and it takes place the last time in HS21.
2 credits2GF. Gramazio, J. Strauss
Abstract
Objective
063-0610-00LThe Digital in Architecture Information
This core course (ends with «00L») can only be passed once! Please check this before signing up.

ITA Pool information event on the offered courses:
10.2.2021, 10-11 h, ONLINE, VideoZoom Link: Link
2 credits1V + 2UF. Gramazio, M. Kohler
AbstractIn lecture series coupled with a series of taught exercises, the course establishes a conceptual framework of digital fabrication in architecture. The exercises focus on simple yet powerful methods of digital, computational and algorithmic design. Two seminar sessions open a debate on the digital as a driving force of a future building and architecture culture.
ObjectiveStudents develop an understanding of the digital and its concepts in architecture and of current developments in the field of digital fabrication. Students learn about design strategies based on digital methods and are able to relate these to their own design approach and its wider context at the Department of Architecture. In the exercises, they learn to use Rhino 5 / Grasshopper and write their first code in Python. The aim is to equip students with the necessary intellectual and technical skills that allow them to independently deepen their engagement with the digital in the chosen design studios.
ContentThe course consists of a lecture series coupled with a series of taught exercises. Departing from the work of Gramazio Kohler Research, the lectures establish a conceptual framework of the digital in architecture with special regard to digital fabrication. The exercises focus on simple yet powerful methods of digital, computational and algorithmic design. Two seminar sessions are dedicated to an open debate on the digital as a driving force of a future building and architecture culture.
Prerequisites / NoticeITA Pool information event on the offered courses:
10.2.2021, 10-11 h, ONLINE, VideoZoom Link:
https://ethz.zoom.us/s/92856146358
063-0622-21LArchitecture and Digital Fabrication (Thesis Elective) Information Restricted registration - show details 6 credits13AF. Gramazio, M. Kohler
AbstractAdvance in technology revolutionizes design and fabrication processes within architecture. Digital fabrication allows immediate production from design data. The architect as author of these data takes a key role in this development.
This course focuses on strategies for architectural production by means of algorithmic design tools and computer controlled fabrication methods.
ObjectiveThe goal of the „Wahlfacharbeit“ is the in depth analysis of a specific topic in the field of digital design and fabrication. The students should develop a personal, algorithmic design system till fabrication. A theoretic placement of the work within the current research discourse is desirable.
ContentWe use the term digital materiality to describe an emergent transformation in the expression of architecture. Materiality is increasingly being enriched with digital characteristics, which substantially affect architecture’s physis. Digital materiality evolves through the interplay between digital and material processes in design and construction. The synthesis of two seemingly distinct worlds – the digital and the material – generates new, self-evident realities. Data and material, programming and construction are interwoven. This synthesis is enabled by the techniques of digital fabrication, which allows the architect to control the manufacturing process through design data. Material is thus enriched by information; material becomes “informed.” In the future, architects’ ideas will permeate the fabrication process in its entirety. This new situation transforms the possibilities and thus the professional scope of the architect.
Lecture notesThe script can be purchased during the course. It is available in German only.
064-0026-00LCompas II: Introduction to Computational Methods for Digital Fabrication in Architecture Information 2 credits2KF. Gramazio
AbstractThis PhD-level course introduces digital fabrication methods and tools building up on the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in the prerequisite course. Students learn fundamentals of robotics, robot kinematics and planning, and basics of robot control applied in the domain of architecture and digital fabrication using the Compas and Compas FAB framework and open source tools.
Objective1. Understand fundamentals of robotics, coordinate systems, transformations and orientation representations.
2. Learn forward and inverse kinematic functions and their application.
3. Learn Cartesian and kinematic robot planning methods
4. Apply these concepts to design and implement digital fabrication processes.
5. Gain an understanding of different robot control methods and their application.
ContentLectures, tutorials and project-based exercises will focus on:

- Introduction to fundamentals of robotics.
- Introduction to Compas and Compas FAB framework.
- Robot model representations.
- Robot forward and inverse kinematics.
- Robot path planning: Cartesian motion planning and kinematic motion planning, planning scene and collision detection.
- Integration of planning tools into parametric design environment (CAD).
- Overview and usage of ROS (Robot Operating System).
- Design of digital fabrication processes (assembly of discrete elements, 3D printing, etc.).
Lecture notesZoom: https://ethz.zoom.us/j/96881394785
Material: https://github.com/compas-teaching/COMPAS-II-FS2021
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisite course: 064-0025-20L - Introduction to Computational Research in Architecture, Engineering, Fabrication and Construction. Priority is given to PhD students.
069-0003-00LIntegrated Design and Robotic Fabrication Project Restricted registration - show details
Only for MAS in Architecture and Digital Fabrication.
10 credits8GF. Gramazio, M. Kohler
AbstractThe second term of the MAS programme is split into two consecutive design and fabrication projects. Students work collaboratively on all aspects from design to the digital / robotic fabrication of their 1-1 scale structure. Students acquire experience in project management, learn to organise their work packages and develop integrated digital fabrication processes.
ObjectiveStudents tackle the challenge of integrating an innovative constructive system and robotic fabrication workflow into a digital design project with respect to a given timeline.
ContentDuring the eleven weeks of the project, the assignment is to design and fabricate with a human-instructed adaptive robotic plaster spraying process. Students work collaboratively on all aspects from computational and interactive design to simulation, customised robotic tooling and on-site fabrication. They acquire extensive experience in human-machine collaboration and synthesize their learnings in a 1-1 scale fabrication project realized with a collaborative robotic arm attached to a movable gantry system and controlled by human gestures in an intuitive design process.
069-0100-00LMaster's Thesis Restricted registration - show details
Only for MAS in Architecture and Digital Fabrication.
20 credits2DF. Gramazio, B. Dillenburger, M. Kohler
AbstractIn the third term of the MAS programme, students focus on developing their own research thesis, working individually or in groups of two. In line with the programme, students select a research brief in the field of robotic fabrication processes and 3D printing technologies.
ObjectiveStudents familiarise themselves with academic research in the field of architecture and digital fabrication. Closely supervised by researchers of Gramazio Kohler Research and Digital Building Technologies, students work from a research brief to physical output demonstrating their achievements. Through a series of experiments, students gradually refine their arguments, familiarising themselves with the rigour of academic research, while at the same time contributing to ongoing research. The individual thesis work includes a final physical demonstrator and results in a written thesis. The work is furthermore presented in front of a jury of international experts.