Robotics is an interdisciplinary field focused on designing, building, programming, and operating machines to accomplish specific tasks. In this sense, robotics reflects one of the fundamental principles of technological development: the design of tools—that is, creating devices or machines capable of performing many tasks that humans currently do, but more efficiently and quickly, or in environments that would be inaccessible to humans.

Regarding its application to architecture and construction, any introduction must address several key questions: How can information be transmitted from the designer to the machine that builds? What language enables communication with the machine? How can that language be controlled to ensure the robot performs tasks optimally? This workshop will introduce students to the language of robotics so that machines can carry out simple tasks, such as positioning elements accurately, manipulating parts through full or partial cutting, or assembling structures using various solutions.

Students will learn the basic workflow from defining a form in specialized software like Rhino to having the robot execute tasks that materialize the designed solution, using tools and languages such as Grasshopper, Compass RRC, or ABB. Once familiarized, each student will propose a feasible use of the robot to construct, fully or partially, structures related to the compression-stone element developed in previous workshops.

KEY WORKSHOP INFORMATION

Date and location: June 22–26, 2026, Arrosadia Campus, Public University of Navarra (UPNA)

Limited places

Target audience: Senior undergraduate and Master’s students in Architecture and/or Engineering, as well as young architects or engineers who have recently graduated. The workshop is also open to students or recent graduates of higher-level vocational training programs (Grades D and E) related to the subject.

Free registration. The workshop is fully funded with no tuition cost.

Registration deadline: April 30. ACCESS THE REGISTRATION FORM

Workshop instructors: Jesús Medina and Panayiotis Papacharalambous, experts in digital fabrication and applied robotics from ETH Zürich

More information: workshop presentation poster and explanatory dossier