German Universities Study Robotically Manufactured Timber For Resource- Efficient Construction

To help meet the world’s population growth and the challenges of using fewer resources and switching to sustainable materials, scientists from the Universities of Stuttgart and Freiburg in Germany are developing a new interdisciplinary approach to construction.

In a joint project between the universities, researchers have built a lightweight timber construction pavilion at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Freiburg, where they are evaluating and researching new materials and construction methods. The scientists have used new computer-based planning methods, robotic manufacturing and construction processes, and new forms of human-machine interaction, which enable significant resource savings when compared to conventional timber construction. The modular structure and design are based on the construction principles of the sea urchin skeleton. It is made up of individually arranged plates, making it particularly light and strong. The careful use of scarce resources is a key evolutionary advantage of natural structures.