Embodied Interaction in Construction
The human hand and body are central to many construction workflows, yet they are often sidelined in automated robotic systems used for large-scale fabrication. This workshop explores how human dexterity can be meaningfully leveraged in contemporary robotic construction. It focuses on embodied programming, manual-computational tools, and augmented reality to support collaboration between humans and robots. Participants will engage in a hands-on activity to create a clay wall panel using a human-robot interaction system developed by the organizing team. Then, through short presentations and group discussions, they will reflect on possible strategies for integrating skilled manual craftsmanship into large-scale robotic manufacturing.
Tutors
Daniela Mitterberger (ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland)
Prof. Dr. Daniela Mitterberger is an Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, where she develops advanced computational methods for enabling human-machine collaboration through adaptive digital fabrication and extended reality. She is the lead developer of COMPAS XR, an open-source framework for extended reality and robotic fabrication in architecture. Daniela will support the organization of this workshop and give one of the short presentations.
Samuelle Bourgault (Princeton University, Princeton, United States)
Dr. Sam Bourgault is a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow at Princeton University School of Architecture. Her research focuses on developing manual-computational systems for digital fabrication applications. She approaches this topic from an interdisciplinary perspective that includes human-computer interaction, design, and craft. Sam will organize and serve as the main point of contact for this workshop.
Selen Ercan Jenny (ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland)
Dr. Selen Ercan Jenny is a trained architect and a digital fabrication researcher. She studied at METU and TU Delft. She worked on various projects at the Chair of Architecture and Digital Fabrication at ETH Zurich, focusing on the application of mobile robots for in-situ construction. Selen will give one of the short presentations during this workshop.