Module package: Digital Building Fabrication (DBF)

This Module lays the groundwork for exploring digital design and fabrication processes in architecture and civil engineering. The teaching is based on the mix of Moodle recordings of lectures, and in-person meetings for hands-on development of
the skills. 

Learning outcomes encompass: hands-on experience with Grasshopper and Python using Rhino 3D, basic understanding of digital design and fabrication methods and terms, encompassing: 3D modeling, computational geometry, parametric and generative design, BIM, robotic and additive manufacturing, 3D scanning, AI in planning, and more.

Remark: If took a similar course during you Bachelor studies (e.g., Digital Construction course at TU Braunschweig Bachelor of Architecture), you cannot take this course.

This interdisciplinary seminar by the Institute of Structural Design (ITE) and the Institute of Building Materials, Concrete Construction and Fire Safety (iBMB) invites students to explore the rapidly evolving field of additive manufacturing in construction. Combining hands-on experimentation with research-driven inquiry, the course offers a platform to engage with digital fabrication technologies, materials and processes.

Learning outcomes encompass: fundamental knowledge on a range of additive manufacturing methods with a particular focus on concrete and earthen 3D printing, including extrusion, spraying, and particle-bed printing. Hands-on experience regarding material and process interaction, and resulting element properties. Ability to work interdisciplinarity and collaboratively (engineering / architecture).

Architectural Students: MEX (14 ECTS) + PRO (2ECTS)
The Experimental Design Studio (MEX) explores how additive manufacturing can inform new architectural approaches to form, structure, and flexible use. The design studio will be accompanied by lectures introducing fundamental principles of implementation of AM methods. Based on these insights, architecture students will develop proposals that combine efficient fabrication with long-term adaptability, in collaboration with engineering students as part of their Professionalisation.

Engineering Students: Structural Design for AMC (6 ECTS) + Studienarbeit (term paper) (10 ECTS)
The seminar Structural design for Additive Manufacturing in Construction (AMC) focuses on strategies and concepts for safety and durability verification, using existing standards as well as research-based methods. This knowledge is further employed by engineering students for conceptual and structural design as a Studienarbeit, in collaboration with architecture students. Special consideration is put on use of fundamental structural engineering principles and realistic assumptions.

Learning outcomes: Architecture and engineering students will be able to collaboratively develop complex projects, and synergistically tackle the challenges. Students will be prepared to operate in international and interdisciplinary environments, as required by modern cutting-edge projects in AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) domain.

The remining part of ECTS required to pass the complete semester is based on the freedom of students to develop their own interests and needs.

It can include, e.g.,

• development of language skills (see Language Centre),
• impromptu architectural design (Stegreif), or for those more ambitious an additional module (e.g. Sustainability in Construction, 6 ECTS, open to both Architecture and Engineering Students,
• or 6 ECTS Studienarbeit during full-scale prototyping workshop in the summer).