24.06.2025
NCCR DFAB Alumni Gathering Tor Alva
The first alumni gathering of the NCCR DFAB took place in Zurich and the Grisons Alps. The occasion was the recent opening of the architecturally and technologically significant Tor Alva.
About
Introduction
Initiated in 2014, the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication aims to revolutionise architecture through the seamless combination of digital technologies and physical building processes. Over 60 researchers from six different academic disciplines collaborate to develop ground-breaking technologies for tomorrow’s construction. Their research allows Switzerland to take a leading position within the global field of digital fabrication. The NCCR Digital Fabrication is the first NCCR focused on architecture and construction funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). Initiated at ETH Zurich, it is partnered with EPF Lausanne, the Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the Bern University of Applied Sciences and Empa.
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18.06.2025
From Dust to Form: Anti-Ruin at the Biennale
Anti-Ruin is an installation made from marble dust, now on view at the Venice Biennale. It explores the potential of binder jet 3D printing to push architectural fabrication into new terrain—where dust becomes both material and metaphor.
10.06.2025
Feminist Strike Day- Equal Opportunities within the NCCR DFAB
14 June is Feminist Strike Day in Switzerland. All the more reason to take a closer look at the NCCR DFAB’s Equal Opportunities programme.
10.06.2025
DFAB Insights Column: DFAB Innovations go Global
In this opening column of DFAB Insights, Russell Loveridge, Managing Director of the NCCR Digital Fabrication, shares personal reflections from international engagements and what they signal for the global future of building.
04.06.2025
Alumna Mariana Popescu: Designing Across Disciplines
Former researchers of the NCCR Digital Fabrication hold key positions in science and industry worldwide. Through our alumni video portraits, we showcase their journeys and explore how their experiences at NCCR DFAB continue to influence their work today.
28.05.2025
Black Concrete, Green Vision: How Biochar could cut the CO₂ Footprint
At ETH Zurich, researchers are developing biochar concrete—a material that stores carbon instead of emitting it. This project brings together academia and industry to reduce construction’s environmental impact and support automated building processes.
Events
25.06.2025 - 27.06.2025
Sustainable Built Environment Conference (SBE25)
Releasing over 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consuming over 40% of primary resources, the built environment needs an urgent transformation towards climate neutrality and circularity while hosting a booming humanity in dignified conditions under climate change.…
04.03.2025 - 05.02.2025
ETH D-ARCH Parity Talks
On its tenth anniversary, The D-ARCH ETH Parity Talks aims to reflect on where the parity and diversity project stand - and – equally important, what is yet to be done? The extended programme of Lectures, Plenary programmes an workshops take place at ETH Hoenggerberg on March 4 and 5, 2025.
14.11.2024
"Nationaler Zukunftstag" at ETH Zurich
On the morning of 14 November 2023, ETH Zurich will open the doors to the world of science for children! They will have the opportunity to discover a range of interesting projects as part of the NCCR DFAB programme.Please note that the places in the NCCR DFAB programme are already fully booked this year.
05.11.2024 - 07.11.2024
Future of Construction 2024 Symposium
The Future of Construction Symposium 2024 is taking place 5–7 November 2024 at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, Switzerland. This year, the symposium will be themed “Making the Past Productive” and it is organised by the professorship on Fabrication and Material Aware Architecture at the…
14.09.2024 - 15.09.2024
Design Modelling Symposium 2024: Human-Robot Interaction
Construction, as any act of making, can suffer from unpredictability, thus, requiring on-the-fly adjustments. Recent advancements in construction robotics are mostly limited to predefined construction plans with few breakthroughs for unstructured environments. Human-in-the-loop workflows combine human flexibility…
26.08.2024 - 30.08.2024
IASS 2024
The NCCR Digital Fabrication, in collaboration with ETH Zürich, is pleased to host the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) annual symposium on 26-30 August 2024. The theme of IASS 2024 is “Redefining the Art of Structural Design” which will highlight the important legacy of structural design in…