Constructing Change: The Impact of Digital Fabrication on Sustainability

Every year, nearly 100 billion tonnes of raw material globally is extracted from the earth – approximately half of it for construction purposes. The construction industry is responsible for an estimated third of global waste, while reuse of construction materials is decreasing. The same sector accounts for at least 40 per cent of global carbon-dioxide emissions. There is thus an urgent need to showcase how novel approaches in digital fabrication can enhance thesustainability of buildings and transform construction. Featuring specialists from architecture, engineering and materials science, this AD presents innovative research and new construction systems, approaches and trends to demonstrate how existing methods and unique concepts that utilise cutting-edge technologies can, in a short space of time, help us advance towards a culture of sustainable construction. It focuses on digital design and manufacturing, including XR technologies, and highlights unique ways to build with earth or concrete. Contributors: Fabio Amicarelli; Ana Anton and Benjamin Dillenburger; Tobias Bonwetsch; Mario Carpo; Sasha Cisar; Corentin Fivet, Maxence Grangeot and Stefana Parascho; Abel Gawel; Norman Hack; Jelle Feringa; Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler; Silke Langenberg, Sarah M Schlachetzki and Robin Rehm; Daniela Mitterberger and Kathrin Dörfler; Romana Rust; and Timothy Wangler and Robert Flatt Featured architects: Terrestrial and Rematter AG