STF#9 - 2025: Workshops
WS11Integrated Design for Robotic 3D Printing
Booking Note
To ensure a fair workshop attendance we kindly request a limit of 1 ticket per studio/company for this workshop.
SOLD OUT
Delivered by Zaha Hadid Architects Computation and Design Group (ZHACODE)
Integrated Design for Robotic 3D Printing
Architectural Geometry (AG) and Robotic Digital Fabrication (RDF) have transformed the way we design and construct buildings, making once-impossible shapes and structures a reality. In this workshop, participants will explore how Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) harness advanced computational methods to create, optimize, and fabricate complex geometries. From a unified design workflow to mass customization, this workshop will discover how to blend tacit mesh modelling with high-end robotics to achieve multi-objective, precision-manufactured prototypes by using ZHA’s cutting-edge framework.
This workshop provides an exclusive, hands-on look into the inner workings of ZHA’s digital and robotic fabrication ecosystem. Participants will gain new technical skills and invaluable insights into how ZHA pushes the boundaries of structural and geometric complexity—every day.
Who Should Attend?
- Architects, Designers, and Students – Learn to bridge conceptual experimentation with unified fabrication-aware design workflows for RDF methods such as 3D printing, hot wire cutting & curved crease folding.
- Engineers and Researchers – Discover cutting-edge strategies in complex geometry optimization, geometric processing, and robotic manufacturing.
- Digital Fabrication Enthusiasts – Gain hands-on exposure to industrial-scale 3D printing and mass customization techniques.
Workshop Format
- Hands-on sessions with direct mentorship
- Collaborative group work culminating in a physical prototype
- Networking opportunities with professionals, academics, and ZHA’s expert team
Learning Objectives:
- Experience ZHA’s Approach to Complex Geometry – Turn abstract digital designs into real-world, fabrication-ready shapes through ZHA’s computational workflow.
- Learn how to utilize the new SubD Creased Edges feature in Rhino 8 which provides control over edge sharpness without altering the underlying topology of your 3D model.
- Leverage ZHA’s Advanced Computational Framework – Use the custom Geodesic Heat Slicer to optimize slicing and create robotic toolpaths for large-scale 3D printing.
- Develop Fabrication-Aware Design Thinking – Learn how geometry, structure, and robotic fabrication combine into integrated design workflows.
- Get Hands-On with Robotic 3D Printing – Explore modular design, hybrid fabrication, and emergent techniques in ZHA’s technology lab.
Expected Outcomes:
- Exclusive Access to ZHA’s Digital Tools – Learn and apply our custom slicing tool for larger scale 3D printing.
- Practical Skills in Fabrication-Driven Design – Develop parametric modelling, robotic toolpath generation, and modular fabrication strategies for building scale complex geometries and its prototypical experiments.
- Collaborative Prototyping Experience – Produce a physical prototype to be showcased at the STF Demo Day, demonstrating real-world implementation.
- Insider Look into ZHA’s Fabrication Ecosystem – Understand the multi-objective design thinking driving ZHA’s built works.
Requirements:
Attendees should bring their own laptop (Windows) with Rhino 8 (including Grasshopper) installed.
- Custom Grasshopper plug-ins provided by ZHA on workshop day
Attendees must have the following knowledge to partake in the workshop
- Intermediate Rhino and Grasshopper knowledge
- Preferably some prior 3D printing experience, but not mandatory
NB* This is a Windows only workshop (it is not suitable for Mac OS X)
SOLD OUT
Taizhong Chen
Taizhong is a Senior Designer at Zaha Hadid Architects’ Computation and Design group (ZHA CODE). Since joining ZHA, he has contributed to a wide range of projects including technology demonstrators, metaverse environments, and built works. In parallel, he serves as a core developer of ZHACODE’s computational framework zSpace, with his development efforts successfully implemented in large-scale architectural projects such as the Nansha Stadium in China and the Natpower Hydrogen Power Station in Italy.
Specialising in computational geometry for architecture, Taizhong develops advanced computational methodologies that enable structurally optimised and fabrication-efficient designs. He is also actively exploring emerging computer graphics platforms like NVIDIA Omniverse to elevate design visualisation, simulation, and collaborative workflows. His research spans the design-to-construction spectrum, focusing on form-finding, analytics, parametric geometry generation, and the optimisation and coordination of complex architectural systems.
Taizhong completed his Master’s degree at the Architectural Association Design Research Lab in 2019. He is an active participant in academic forums, regularly teaching and presenting at international workshops and CAD conferences.
Matt Walker
Matt is a designer in Zaha Hadid Architects’ Computation and Design Research Group (CODE). He specialises in the timber technologies framework in the team and contributes to a range of projects at ZHA. His interests are in mass timber design, digital fabrication, and complex geometry rationalisation. Notable contributions to projects include rationalisation of the high-performance roof system of the Sanya Cultural Centre in China, the configurable timber residences for robotic fabrication of Beyabu in Honduras, and digital fabrication prototyping in the ZHA TechLab.
Matt holds both a Master of Architecture and Master of Environmental Design degrees from the University of Calgary, Canada, where he garnered his experience in working with computational design, digital robotic fabrication, and teaching assistantships. Prior to ZHA, Matt worked in design and fabrication in Calgary, Canada, where he leveraged the tight-knit relationship between the digital and the material.
Justin Hanlon
Justin is a researcher in Zaha Hadid Architects’ Computation and Design Group (ZHA CODE), specializing in 3D printing and robotic fabrication. His work is centered on the Tech Lab, ZHA’s research facility that integrates design, materials, and manufacturing through hands-on experimentation. Justin’s contributions include advancing workflows in hot-wire cutting and large-scale 3D printing, geometric processing for complex structures, and the development of bespoke digital fabrication processes. He is actively involved in interdisciplinary collaborations, exhibition support, and providing 3D printing as a prototyping service for the office. His research focuses on experimental structures, performative design, and real-time fabrication insights, with an emphasis on non-planar printing and optimized geometries.
Justin holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and a Master of Robotics and Advanced Construction from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia.
Jing-Wen Chiou
Jing-Wen is a researcher specializing in large-scale 3D printing and digital fabrication. Her previous projects have included design to fabrication, clay 3D printing and robot manufacturing architectural components research. In the Tech Lab, she collaborates on large-scale prototyping and advises the team on integrating design and production workflows. Currently, she focuses on developing digital fabrication processes and enhancing internal toolsets to support design.
Before joining Zaha Hadid Architects, JingWen worked as a 3D-printed product designer and interior designer. She holds a BA in Architecture from Ming Chuan University, a Master in Advanced Architecture, and an Open Thesis Fabrication (OTF) degree from IAAC.
Supported by:
Verena Vogler (Dr.-Ing.)
Verena joined McNeel Europe in 2014, where she leads R&D and the Educational Course Program. She holds Diploma/Master’s degrees in Architecture and Computational Design, along with a doctorate in Engineering from the Chair of Computer Science in Architecture, Bauhaus University Weimar in computational Artificial Coral Reef Design, and has experience working for international architectural firms. With over 15 years of expertise in construction, software development, and research, she focuses on fostering synergies between practice and applied research. Her work centres on creating ecosystem-aware design approaches by integrating environmental and living system knowledge through advanced computational methods.
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