Initiated in 2013 with a FCT Grant, the RobTech Project emerged as a pioneering initiative in Portugal, dedicated to investigating the potential of Robotics, the most flexible digital manufacturing technology available at the time, in supporting non-standard architectural design and construction. Led by a diverse team of architects, structural, electronic, and computer science engineers, the RobTech Project established in Portugal the first architectural Laboratory equipped with a robotic arm, while being one of the few projects of its kind globally at the time. Collaborating with a network of international consultants and rooted in the Portuguese context, the project aimed to promote local and global innovation through three main avenues: Applied Research, Applied and Historical Research, and Experimental Research. Through Applied Research, the project explored the robotic fabrication of intricate geometries and variable customized assemblies, utilizing Portuguese materials such as cork, ceramics, and wood. Additionally, the project utilized robotic fabrication to reimagine traditional construction methods and revive architectural heritage as part of Applied and Historical Research. Lastly, Experimental Research focused on conceiving, developing, and testing an original concept for a new robotic fabrication system, either for prefabrication or on-site construction. The RobTech Project yielded significant results, including the publication of a book, numerous published articles and conference presentations, as well as the creation of several prototypes and installations. Notably, two noteworthy outcomes of the project were the CorkCrete Arch, a structure made out of cork and GRC produced through robotic means, and the SPIDERobot, a cable-driven robot. 

Team

Equipa

José Pedro Sousa (Principal Investigador)
Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto

Manuel Oliveira
Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto

José Campos
Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto

João Azevedo
Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto

João Pedro Xavier
Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto

Rui Póvoas
Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto

Nuno Maia
.

António Pedro Moreira
.

Manuel Silva
.

Pedro Martins
.

Pedro de Azambuja Varela
Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto

Cristina Gassó Palop
.

Eduardo Moreira
.

António Pedro Moreira
.

Nuno Maia
.

Manuel Oliveira
.

Leonhard Trummer
.

António Meireles
.

Joana Pinho da Costa
.

Student Assistants

Mário Martins

Rudrapalsinh Solanki

Daniel Almeida

Rui Oliveira

Luisa Barreira

Rafael Santos

Gabriel Correia

João Carvalho

Catarina Brites

Consultants

Branko Kolarevic

Paulo Fonseca de Campos

Mário Kruger

Dennis Shelden

Lawrence Sass

José Pinto Duarte

Industry Partners

Amorim Cork Insulation

Mota Engil, Valchromat

Cerâmica Vale da Gândara