ICD University of Stuttgart

livMatS Biomimetic Shell - Integrative computational design and robotic prefabrication The heart of the prefabrication of the livMatS Biomimetic Shell is a newly developed, transportable 7-axis robot platform that allowed seamless integration in the factory of the industrial partner @muellerblaustein_holzbauwerke within a few hours. The 12-meter-long robot platform enabled the simultaneous production of four components with lengths of up to 3.5 meters. The hollow cassettes were joined by the robot from individual wooden parts, glued, milled, drilled and finally cut by means of a saw blade with an accuracy in the sub-millimeter range. In this way, the robotic production time could be reduced by 75% compared to the BUGA Wood Pavilion. In the digital fabrication of the hollow cassettes, manual partial assembly steps of components such as lights and acoustic elements were directly integrated by means of augmented reality (AR). This form of human-machine interaction in the fabrication process enables effective, digitally augmented, and handcrafted fabrication with a high degree of precision. This achievement is the outcome of remarkable commitment by the researchers from the IABP Institute for Acoustics and Building Physics, @iigs_stuttgart , and the @icdstuttgart as a part of the @exc_intcdc at the @unistuttgart . Many thanks to all our research partners including @isys.unistuttgart , ICD Architectural Computing, scientific-technical staff of IntCDC Large Scale Construction Laboratory, and student assistants, as well as our consulting engineering partners @transsolar_klimaengineering , Bauphysik 5, @becrobotics , and @belznerholmesundpartner . We acknowledge all our project partners and supporters for this great collaboration. We would like to express our gratitude to the @dfg__public – German Research Foundation for their generous support for both clusters. More information can be accessed through our website. © Video credits: ICD/ITKE/IntCDC University of Stuttgart Cluster of Excellence IntCDC @exc_intcdc | University of Stuttgart @unisttuttgart Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems (livMatS) @unifreiburg

Our project Solar Gate “Weather-responsive adaptive shading through biobased and bioinspired hygromorphic 4D-printing” has recently been published in Nature Communications. Paper - /articles/s41467-024-54808-8 Project - /projects/solar-gate/ The Solar Gate is a weather-responsive shading system installed on the south-facing skylight of our building demonstrator livMatS Biomimetic Shell. Inspired by the hygromorphic principles observed in pine cones, it achieves adaptive shading without relying on metabolic or electrical energy. Instead, the system utilises bioinspired mechanisms that emulate the anisotropic structure of cellulose found in plant tissues. These mechanisms leverage 4D-printing, allowing material systems to be fabricated in a flat state and programmed to transform into their desired shapes over time in response to varying humidity and temperature conditions. During winter, the self-shaping elements curl upwards to allow sunlight in, while in summer, they flatten to block direct sunlight. Powered solely by environmental fluctuations, the system represents an energy-autonomous and resource-efficient alternative to conventional shading systems. Through the integration of bioinspired design, natural materials, and computational fabrication, the Solar Gate illustrates how adaptive facades can improve building functionality while minimising energy consumption. It highlights the potential of accessible, low-cost technologies for adaptive architectural solutions, paving the way for harmonious interaction between buildings and their environment. The project is the result of a research collaboration between @exc_intcdc and the Cluster of Excellence Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems (livMatS) at the University of Freiburg. Thank you to the entire team for another great collaboration between University of Stuttgart and The University of Freiburg: Tiffany Cheng, Yasaman Tahouni, Ekin Sila Sahin, Kim Ulrich, Silvia Lajewski, Christian Bonten, Dylan Wood, Jürgen Rühe, Thomas Speck. © Video credits: ICD/IntCDC University of Stuttgart, Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg

🌟 Willkommen im neuen Stammhaus! 🌟 Das neue Bürogebäude “Stammhaus” von Blumer Lehmann ist ein hochmoderner Holzbau. Entworfen von K&L Architekten bietet das viergeschossige Bürogebäude rund 180 Arbeitsplätze, eine einladende Cafeteria – das „Stammlokal“ – sowie Veranstaltungs- und Besprechungsräume. Blumer Lehmann war als GU für den Holzbau verantwortlich. 🚀 Highlight und Namensgeber des Gebäudes ist das Atrium mit der zentralen Treppe, das sich wie ein ausgehöhlter Baumstamm 🌲 über alle vier Stockwerke erstreckt. Als Forschungsprojekt wurde der Entwurf der Free Form-Holzkonstruktion mit gekrümmten Flächen vom ICD Institut für Computerbasiertes Entwerfen und Baufertigung der Universität Stuttgart entwickelt. „Wir freuen uns, alle hier willkommen zu heissen, zum Arbeiten, zu Führungen, zum Besuch von Veranstaltungen oder zum Austausch“, sagt Katharina Lehmann. „Es soll ein lebendiger Ort sein, an dem Ideen entstehen und gedeihen können.“ Mehr zum Holzbau: 👉 LINK in der BIO Architektur: @klarchitekten Entwurf Atriumstruktur: @icdstuttgart (Prof. Achim Menges), @unistuttgart Statikingenieure Atrium: SJB Kemptner Fitze AG Danke auch an allen beteiligten Projektpartnern und unserern Mitarbeitenden! @alehmannelektroag , @balteschwiler , Baubüro Hollenstein GmbH, @bauer_bauprojektmanagement , @calorexag , Gastro-Fachplanung Ruedi Menet GmbH, iljos GmbH, Niederegger AG, Studer + Strauss AG 📷 Fotos: Jan Thoma | Blumer Lehmann #BlumerLehmann #icdStuttgart #klArchitekten #Holzbau #Bürogebäude #BauenmitHolz #Architektur

We are delighted to share that the Wangen Tower has been recognized at the Holzbaupreis Baden-Württemberg. Presented by the Ministerium für Ernährung, Ländlichen Raum und Verbraucherschutz Baden-Württemberg (MLR) as part of the Holzbau-Offensive, the award honors exemplary timber projects that demonstrate innovation, architectural quality, and the future potential of timber construction. The jury highlighted how the tower transforms an inherent property of wood into a constructive principle: flat-fabricated cross-laminated timber elements are shaped through controlled drying and become load-bearing curved components. In this way, the material’s natural shrinkage gives rise to an innovative and elegant structure in which height, form, and function merge into a unique viewing experience. We are grateful for this recognition and proud to see the project acknowledged among outstanding timber buildings from across Baden-Württemberg. For more information about the project, please visit our website. /projects/wangen-tower/ © Image Credits: Felix Kästle, Martin Looser #icd #itke #intcdc #exc2120 #unistuttgart

We’re excited to share our new peer-reviewed paper, “Toward autonomous timber construction using distributed robotic perception system in coordination with a tower crane,” published in Automation in Construction. Digital prefabrication has advanced timber construction, but large-scale timber elements are still largely assembled manually on construction sites. This research explores how a digitally controlled tower crane can work together with distributed robotic perception units embedded in timber components. The system uses compact robotic units to support vision-based pose estimation, multi-view data fusion, and crane-guided assembly of large-scale cross-laminated timber components under realistic construction-site conditions. Congratulations to first author Nils Opgenorth and co-authors Jack Michael Otto and Achim Menges. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany’s Excellence Strategy — EXC 2120/1–390831618 — and by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) as part of the Zukunft Bau research funding program, within the project “Lights-Off On-Site Timber Construction” — funding code 10.08.18.7-23.36. Additional financial support was provided by ZÜBLIN Timber. The open-access paper can be read through the following link: /10.1016/j.autcon.2026.106973 © Image credits: Opgenorth, N., Otto, J. M., & Menges, A. (2026) #icd #intcdc #exc2120 #unistuttgart #AutomationInConstruction

On May 21st, Prof. Achim Menges will give a keynote lecture titled “Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture” at the @future_of_construction 2026 at @ethzurich Zentrum HG. Keynote speakers on that day also include Dorte Mandrup and Mark Burry AO. The ‘Future of Construction’ symposium explores how technology shapes the way we design and build. The accelerating convergence of technological domains in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) invites us to rethink human capability, skill, and agency. At this intersection, AI, extended reality, and robotics are transforming digital fabrication and augmented design into active sites of experimentation. More information can be found on our website. © Image credits: Future of Construction 2026 #icd #intcdc #exc2120 #universityofstuttgart #futureofconstruction

We are excited to share that two ITECH thesis projects won the „Auf IT gebaut - Bauberufe mit Zukunft“ Award in the category “Architecture”! 🎉 ITECH alumni Juan David Frank and Alfiia Shakurianova received the first prize for their project „Copilot for Constraint-driven Generation of Architectural Design Evaluations and Suggestions” and ITECH alumni Clara Blum, Laura Marsillo and Gonzalo Muñoz Guerrero won the second prize with their project „Reclaimed Design“ during the award ceremony at the digitalBAU trade fair in Cologne last week. We’re proud to see our ITECH pushing the boundaries of architecture and technology at the University of Stuttgart. The ITECH MSc program is part of the ecosystem of the Cluster of Excellence IntCDC - Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Transformative Architecture at the University of Stuttgart and three of the award-winning alumni are now working as IntCDC research associates. The „Auf IT gebaut – Bauberufe mit Zukunft“ competition aims is held under the patronage of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and focuses on innovative digital solutions for the construction industry. The competition is particularly interested in projects with a strong practical focus. More information on the ITECH thesis projects can be found on our website. © Image credits: Image 1: IntCDC University of Stuttgart, Image 2: ITECH University of Stuttgart, J. D. Frank, A.Shakurianova, Image 3: ITECH University of Stuttgart, C. Blum, L. Marsillo, G. Muñoz Guerrero #MadeInITECH #intcdc #exc2120 #icd #itke itech unistuttgart universityofstuttgart

ICD researcher Xiliu Yang will be presenting her PhD Dissertation in an online event, Thursday March 26th 17:00 CET. The talk, titled “ Augmented Industrial Human-robot Collaboration: A Human-centred Approach for Robotic Timber Construction with Augmented Reality”, will present a conceptual and technical framework for Human-robot collaboration (HRC) in timber prefabrication, leveraging head-mounted augmented reality displays (AR HMDs) for information delivery and interaction. The event will be hold online via WebEx Webinar, Thursday March 26th 17:00 CET 17:00 Introduction, Prof. Achim Menges 17:10 Augmented Industrial Human-robot Collaboration, Xiliu Yang 17:45 Joint Discussion Pre-registration and more information on the dissertation can be found on our website. © Image Credits: ICD/IntCDC University of Stuttgart (Photo: Robert Faulkner; Illustration: Xiliu Yang) #icd #intcdc #exc2120 #unistuttgart #universityofstuttgart

We will be at DigitalBAU 2026 Come visit us – you’ll find us in Hall 8, Booth 108 We would also like to invite you to attend talks given by our IntCDC colleagues. Please note: presentations will be in German 🚨 24.03.2026 von 11:30 - 12:00 Main Stage 💡 Integratives Computerbasiertes Planen und Bauen im Holzbau: Von Sonderbauten in den Geschossbau Hans Jakob Wagner Forschungsgruppenleiter / Geschäftsführer / Koordinator EIC bei Universität Stuttgart - Institut für Computerbasiertes Entwerfen und Baufertigung / Corthus / UniversalTimberSlab @hansjakobwagner 🚨 25.03.2026 von 16:15 - 16:45 Neo Stage 💡 Automating Automation - Computerbasierte Planung x Robotische Fertigung Hans Jakob Wagner Forschungsgruppenleiter bei ICD Universität Stuttgart @hansjakobwagner Tim Stark Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter bei ICD Universität Stuttgart @timstark__ 🚨 25.03.2026 von 16:45 - 17:15 Neo Stage 💡 ML für Architektur und Bauen Prof. Thomas Wortmann Tenure-Track Professor für Computing in der Architektur bei Universität Stuttgart - Institut für Computerbasiertes Entwerfen und Baufertigung (ICD/CA) 🚨 26.03.2026 von 10:00 - 10:30 💡 KI für die Architektur Main Stage Prof. Thomas Wortmann Tenure-Track Professor für Computing in der Architektur bei Universität Stuttgart - Institut für Computerbasiertes Entwerfen und Baufertigung (ICD/CA) 🚨 26.03.2026 von 13:00 - 13:30 Main Stage 💡 KI: Bauen für die Zukunft Podiumsdiskussion Prof. Thomas Wortmann Tenure-Track Professor für Computing in der Architektur bei Universität Stuttgart - Institut für Computerbasiertes Entwerfen und Baufertigung (ICD/CA) Moderator: Michael Schuster Chefredakteur DBZ bei Bauverlag BV GmbH You can now find all the latest news and fascinating insights into the world of digitalBAU directly at @bauinsights . #digitalBAU #BAU #BAUInsights #baumeunchen #constructionindustry #digitalisierung #innovation #architecture #IntCDC #EXC2120 is funded by @dfg__public #deutscheforschungsgemeinschaft #germanresearchfoundation #IntCDC #BauhausEarth #UniversityofStuttgart #ResearchCollaboration @unistuttgart @mpi_is @bauhaus_earth @icd

We are pleased to share our latest peer-reviewed publication titled “Integrative Hybridity: A Framework for the Co-Design of Hybrid Systems”, published in the proceedings of Design Matter(s) for Decarbonization at the Responsive Cities Symposium 2025. This research explores the potential of hybrid bio-based materials in architecture, combining complementary material properties to address design challenges that single materials cannot solve alone. The paper proposes a framework to expand the co-design process, incorporating critical factors for hybrid development. The method considers complementary material roles, establishes material and spatial relationships, categorizes system logics, and introduces guiding questions to evaluate hybrids at both the material and architectural scale. The findings show that the framework helps align material roles with project-specific criteria and provides an effective tool to guide the design of hybrid architectural systems. Congratulations to co-authors Rebeca Duque Estrada, Tzu-Ying Chen, Kalaivanan Amudhan, Samuel Losi, Laura Marsillo, Shirin Shevidi, Jan Knippers, and Achim Menges. This research was developed as a studio project in the ITECH MSc Program and supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany’s Excellence Strategy - EXC 2120/1 - 390831618 (Cluster of Excellence IntCDC). Thanks to the ITECH Class 2024 and to the tutors, Fabian Kannenberg and Yanan Guo, for being part of this project. The open-access paper can be read through the following link: /10.18419/opus-17947 © Video credits: Duque Estrada et al. (2026), ICD/ITKE/IntCDC Universität Stuttgart #fibre #hybrids #bio-based #sustainablearchitecutre #buildingtechnology

We are thrilled to share our latest peer-reviewed publication titled“The Hybrid Flax Pavilion: Towards minimally invasive bio-based Architecture” published in: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science This joint paper is a result of a valuable collaboration between the Cluster of Excellence IntCDC | University of Stuttgart, and the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD) at the University of Stuttgart. This paper presents the Hybrid Flax Pavilion, a built case study that combines thin cross-laminated timber with digitally fabricated flax fibre components to reduce timber consumption and enable circular, low-carbon construction. Through design optimisation, use of existing manufacturing infrastructure, and a critical life cycle assessment (LCA), the project demonstrates how regional bio-based materials can bridge research and practice toward scalable, sustainable architecture. Congratulations to the first author Monika Göbel, co-authors Christoph Zechmeister, Rebeca Estrada Duque, Julia Weißert, Harrison Hildebrandt, Alina Rossa, Christoph Schlopschnat, Daniel Christopher Bozó, Pascal Mindermann, Jan Knippers, Götz T. Gresser, Franziska C. Schünemann, Philip Leistner and Achim Menges. Special thanks to the supportes Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Foundation under Germany’s Excellence Strategy – EXC 2120/1 – 390831618, Ministerium für Ernährung, Ländlichen Raum und Verbraucherschutz Baden-Württemberg, Bioökonomie, Förderprogramm “Nachhaltige Bioökonomie als Innovationsmotor für den Ländlichen Raum” und Holz Innovativ Programm (HIP). Read the paper here: DOI 10.1088/1755-1315/1554/1/012095 © Image credits: © ICD/ITKE/IntCDC University of Stuttgart #intcdc #exc2120 #icd #itke #unistuttgart

On March 4th, David Stieler and Fabian Kannenberg will present their work at the SPP 2187 Closing Conference at the Ruhr University Bochum. David will present “Agent-based Methods for Fabrication-oriented Design of Adaptive Modular Pre-fab Concrete Construction” developed within the SPP 2187, while Fabian will outline the current progress of the project “Form- and Utilisation-aware Design Methods for Structures Made from Reused RC Elements” carried out within SFB 1683. More information can be found on our website: /news/SPP-2187—SFB-1683-Conference/ @ruhrunibochum @dfg__public © Image credits: ICD University of Stuttgart #icd #unistuttgart #spp2187 #sfb1683 #crc1683