Advancing precision : less concrete, more innovation in staircase design
- Amicarelli, Fabio ORCID Accademia di architettura, Università della Svizzera italiana, Svizzera
- Quadranti, Elia Accademia di architettura, Università della Svizzera italiana, Svizzera
- Paglia, Christian ORCID Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana (SUPSI), Switzerland
- Vasiliki Alexi, Eleni ORCID Mesh AG, Switzerland
- Ariza, Inés ORCID Mesh AG, Switzerland - Gramazio Kohler Research, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Sinani, Megi ORCID ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Gramazio, Fabio ORCID Gramazio Kohler Research, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Kohler, Matthias ORCID Gramazio Kohler Research, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Lloret-Fritschi, Ena ORCID Accademia di architettura, Università della Svizzera italiana, Svizzera
- Tokyo, 2025
Published in:
- Architectural Informatics. - Proceedings of the 30th CAADRIA Conference. - 2025, vol. 2, p. 357-366
Augmented reality
Concrete
Digital fabrication
Paper formwork
Structural optimization
Sustainability
English
Standardization in concrete construction has reduced design flexibility and increased environmental impact. This research addresses the challenges associated with the construction of highly customized building elements, such as staircases, by combining three innovations: flexible and recyclable paper-based formwork, augmented reality (AR)-guided rebar assembly, and a concrete mix using recycled aggregates. These innovations are integrated for the construction of a real-size demonstrator consisting of three precast stair steps. Structural optimization methods, computational tools, and digital fabrication processes are used for the design, production, testing, and assessment of the demonstrator. Results indicate that the combination of paper-based formwork, AR-guided rebar assembly, and recycled concrete significantly reduces environmental impact, improves production efficiency, and enhances design flexibility. Comparative analysis reveals a 50% reduction in concrete usage and a 32% decrease in CO2- equivalent emissions relative to conventional precast stairs. The methodology presented is applicable for new and existing building projects and opens new pathways for further integration of digital technologies in concrete construction workflows.
- Collections
- Language
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- English
- Classification
- Architecture
- Other electronic version
- Notes
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- 30th International Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA 2025)
- The University of Tokyo, Japan
- 22-29 March 2025
- License
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Rights reserved
- Open access status
- gold
- Identifiers
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- RICERCO 67409
- ARK ark:/12658/srd1334755
- Persistent URL
- https://n2t.net/ark:/12658/srd1334755
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