Physical AI, a promising direction for transforming construction, was discussed at the “Startup Architecture” Symposium at ETH Zurich. Moderated by Oliver Thomas, Kathrin Dörfler joined Juan Nieto, Ming Shan Ng, and Helen Oleynikova for the panel discussion “Build the Machine”. They explored how AI-enabled mobile robots are moving beyond laboratory settings to perform complex construction tasks on building sites, operating in uncertain environments, and collaborating closely with human workers. [read more]

Our researcher Ema Krakovská attended the ROB|ARCH conference at the Aarhus School of Architecture, where she presented her paper, “Robotic Prefabrication of Free-Form Earthen Building Components,” which received the Runner-up – Best Paper Award. The research explores a particle-bed additive manufacturing approach that combines an earthen binder with waste aggregates to enable the prefabrication of large-scale building components with greater geometric freedom. [read more]

On July 31, 2026, the Terra Habita Pavilion was officially opened at TUM-Campus Garching. Terra Habita shows how the combination of regenerative materials -- wood, earth, and stone -- in connection with digital fabrication opens new possibilities for sustainable architecture. The structure remains open for visits anytime at Lichtenbergstraße 4a (ZEI) in Garching, right next to the Department of Chemistry. [read more]

The Climate Active Envelopes research project has been shortlisted for the Newcomer Award 2026 of the Erich‑Mendelsohn‑Preis für Backstein‑Architektur. Selected from over 500 submissions, the project is recognized for its climate‑responsive, robotically fabricated brick envelope system that reduces solar heat gain through self‑shading, mono‑material geometries. The shortlist was announced after the jury session at the Deutsches Architektur Zentrum (DAZ) in Berlin; the winners will be revealed later this year. [read more]

Our postdoctoral researcher Lidia Atanasova will give a lecture on “Building with humans and robots” this Tuesday, 30. June, as part of the lecture series “COLLECTIVE EFFORT” at the Universität der Künste Berlin UdK, organized by the Designing_AI Lab and Institute of Product and Fashion Design. [read more]

At the Bouw met Aarde! Symposium in Rotterdam, a multi-day event dedicated to earth-based materials in architecture and construction, Janna Vollrath was invited to present the latest developments of the Timber Earth Slab research project. [read more]

Over 80 researchers from the Collaborative Research Centre AMC TRR277 gathered at Lake Ammersee for this year’s summer school. Across five days, the focus was on collaborative demonstrators, keynotes by international Mercator Fellows, and the roadmap for the third funding phase. Project updates, presentations on material efficiency, and sessions on patenting drove collaboration forward. Alongside discussions, the lake and Kloster Andechs offered space for exchange, marking another successful milestone for the network. [read more]

We were delighted to welcome architects Gilbert Berthold (Zurich) and Mauritz Lüps (Munich) as guest critics and lecturers for the Midterm review of our master's studio on the renovation of the Fritz-Pflaum-Hütte. Drawing on their experience with local materials, prefabrication, and traditional building crafts, they shared inspiring insights and engaged in lively discussions with our students. The review was further supported by the contributions of architect Rainer Schmid and hut warden Stefan Schiller, who provided valuable on-site perspectives and practical construction expertise. Our… [read more]

The research project "Timber Earth Slab" reached the finals of the DGNB Sustainability Challenge 2026. As a finalist, the team was invited to present the project at Sustainability Day in Stuttgart and exchange ideas with experts and visitors. [read more]

Moderated by Mirjam Kupferschmid and Andrea Wiegelmann, the interplay of hybrid earthen constructions and novel fabrication methods was discussed at Munich’s Pavillon 333 on 3 June by Prof. Roger Boltshauser (ETH Zurich), Prof. Florian Nagler (TUM), and Prof. Dr. Kathrin Dörfler, along celebrating the launch of the Triest Verlag’s new book “Pisé – Hybrid Constructions”. [read more]