Call for Workshops
In response to the symposium theme "Construction of Future(s)" we welcome proposals for 1-day workshops that enable participants to explore how developments at the intersections of AI, extended reality, and robotics are rapidly converging and advancing one another. How does this technological convergence reshape our possibilities, agency, values, and practices? Workshops aim to offer practitioners, educators, and researchers space to critically examine these accelerating changes and their potential to transform design and production cultures toward more desirable built environments.
Workshops can be hands-on, discussion-based, speculative, or experimental. We are looking for proposals that span the convergence of AI, extended reality, and robotics in AEC. Selected workshops should not only expose participants to emerging technologies but also critically engage them in constructing speculative and pragmatic dialogues, tools, and methods toward meaningful future built environments. Whether exploring augmented design processes, innovations in spatial computing, human-machine collaborations, or the ethical implications of automated construction, we welcome proposals that stimulate critical thinking and push the boundaries of how we design and build. We encourage innovative and non-traditional approaches but expect workshops that demonstrate depth of knowledge and thoughtful pedagogical structure.
Workshops should be designed to welcome participants with diverse skill levels and disciplinary backgrounds, however instructors will be advised to suggest the participants' expected previous knowledge. Physical and/or digital workshop outcomes will be shared at the end of the workshop day (May 20, 2026) and during the symposium (May 21-23, 2026).
Submission
Workshop proposals should be submitted external page via the application form on this link (login required). We encourage teams to review the submission guidelines at the bottom of this page in advance.
Support
Selected workshops will receive a budget to cover materials, equipment, and other workshop-related expenses.
Selection
Proposals will be assessed according to their relevance to the symposium theme, focus on the convergence of at least two of the following domains (AI, XR, robotics), and the quality of responses to the call questions. Workshops will be reviewed by the Future of Construction Symposium team.
Key Dates
Call opens: November 18, 2025
Call closes: January 18, 2026
Notifications: February 13, 2026
Workshops: May 20, 2026
Workshops Leaders and Contact
Inés Ariza, ETH Zurich and Dominik Reisach, ETH Zurich
Submission Guidelines
Workshop proposals should be submitted external page via this form on Oxford Abstracts and include all following sections. These guidelines are designed to help instructors articulate their workshop's objectives, structure, and pedagogical approach.
A concise and compelling title in connection to the symposium theme “Constructing of Future(s)”
Brief bios (max. 50 words each) highlighting relevant expertise, previous workshop experience, and connection to the proposed topic. What are the specific roles and expertise of each instructor in delivering this workshop?
A brief text (max. 100 words) outlining the workshop topic, goals, setup and expected outcome targeted to participants.
How does your workshop address one or more of the four symposium’s questions? Please give a brief answer to at least one of the core questions:
- Why does technological convergence matter? The convergence of AI, extended reality and robotics represents more than a simple upgrade to our toolsets. What possibilities does the integration of these technological domains open in architecture, engineering and construction?
- Why collaborate with machines? As design and construction teams work alongside algorithms, robots and autonomous systems, established professional boundaries start to blur. How does collaboration with machines change roles, skills, authorship, and liability in the built environment?
- What, where, and how should we build? In a context of climate pressure and limited resources, decisions about building, adapting or not building at all become critical. How can the convergence of AI, extended reality, and robotics help us inform these fundamental choices?
- Why change how we practice? When tools, data, and services become as valuable as the buildings they help create, the economics of practice start to change. What new business models and modes of practice emerge in architecture, engineering, and construction at the intersection of AI, extended reality, and robotics?
Which technologies are involved in your workshop? Selected workshops must address the intersection of at least two:
- AI
- Extended reality
- Robotics
- Other: please specify
Provide 1 up to 5 keywords, e.g. “embodied AI; spatial computing; human-robot collaboration”.
Describe the future built environment your workshop envisions and its relevance to current or emerging AEC practice.
How will participants actively prototype responses through making, testing, or discussion during the workshop? What tangible outcomes (physical and/or digital) will participants produce?
Describe your target audience, including required previous experience and ideal participant number. Explain your approach to accommodating diverse skills and disciplinary backgrounds.
Please describe any setup requirements for your workshop including physical space and technical requirements.
Please provide 1-5 images to illustrate your workshop to the selection committee and potential participants. Please submit all materials as one combined .zip or .pdf file.
What are the expected costs involved for instructors, equipment and materials?