WHAT WE DO
Cloud Affects, Shenzhen Biennale, Tectonic Formation Lab, 2020.
The RMIT Architecture | Tectonic Formation Lab is dedicated to exploring the architectural design implications of emerging technologies. In particular, the lab develops and leverages computational design processes and robotic fabrication techniques to develop innovative architectural tectonics. We undertake both experimental design research and applied research through industry partnerships.
The lab, which is embedded within RMIT Architecture, a program of the RMIT School of Architecture and Urban Design, is led by Professor Roland Snooks who is internationally recognized as a leader in algorithmic architecture and robotic fabrication.
We work closely with industry partners to understand what innovations are able to transform their businesses and disrupt their industries. We collaborate to develop new techniques and technologies and to translate these to the point of commercialization within the industry.
Our experimental design research is highly innovative and risk-taking. We speculate through design on the future of the architectural form, material, and tectonics. The work of the lab is at the forefront of algorithmic generative design and large-scale robotic polymer printing. Emerging research within the lab is extending these areas of expertise through machine learning, augmented reality, metal printing, and the printing of living biological structures. The research of the lab operates through design and its realization within prototypes and demonstrator projects.
The research of the lab consists of a series of research agendas focused on innovative processes. These trajectories are combined through collaborative design projects undertaken within the lab to demonstrate the potential of this research.
The lab is an international leader in developing computational multi-agent algorithms for generative design and optimisation.
TEAM
Roland Snooks Director
PROFESSOR ROLAND SNOOKS
Roland Snooks directs the RMIT Architecture | Tectonic Formation Lab. His research explores algorithmic generative design and the experimental approaches to additive manufacturing for architectural design. Roland’s algorithmic research explores behavioral processes of formation that draw from the logic of swarm intelligence and the operation of multi-agent algorithms.
Roland has taught widely in the United States including at Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, SCI-Arc, and the Pratt Institute. He received a PhD from RMIT and a Master in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University, where he studied on a Fulbright scholarship.
In 2004 Roland co-founded the experimental architectural practice Kokkugia, with the intention of exploring the limits of algorithmic formation and its architectural potential. He directs the architecture practice Snooks + Harper in collaboration with Laura Harper. Roland’s work has been published and exhibited widely and acquired for the permanent collections of institutions including the Centre Pompidou, FRAC and National Gallery of Victoria.
TEAM
The Tectonic Formation Lab consists of researchers with a diverse set of expertise. The highly collaborative nature of the research enables researchers to focus on specific topics and develop in-depth expertise. This expertise includes specialisation in algorithmic design, machine learning, robotic fabrication, 3D printing, structural optimisation, fibre composites and biological growth. While diverse, these areas of research and expertise are explored through architectural design. The researchers are a combination of Research Fellows, PhD candidates, Research Assistants and associated faculty from RMIT Architecture. The core researchers are assisted by a cohort of student Research Assistants who contribute to research projects.
Marc Gibson Researcher Digital Lead
Charlie Boman Researcher
Dasong Wang PhD Researcher
Alan Kim PhD Researcher
Development of largescale 3D printing is a key technical innovation and area of research within the lab.
Hesam Mohammad PhD Researcher
Nic Bao Researcher
Natalie Ailma PhD Alumni
Former Lab Member
Jackson Bi Researcher
STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANTS 2023:
Zihan Fan
Shicheng Han
Jiayi Yi
Sahad Abrar Abdul Khader
Christine O'Neill
Rongzhen Mu
Xi Chen
Ziyan Li
Daniel Ridout
Liming Liu
Zixin Wang
Zeke Zhang
Zhengxi Xian
Roberto Conde
Vibha Hemant Parulekar
Renling Zhang
RESOURCES
ROBOTIC FACILITIES
RMIT University has the leading architectural robotics facility in Australia. This robotic facility consists of nine industrial robots ranging in scale up to the Kuka KR150 (2700mm reach + 5000mm linear axis, 150kg payload.) This robot is most commonly utilised throughout our research outputs for large-scale 3D printing. Our smaller Kuka Agilus robots are commonly used for robotic welding and metal printing. For real-time robotics, vision systems, and experimental techniques we utilise the Universal Robots (UR10’s).
LAB SPACE
The Tectonic Formation Lab is housed with the RMIT Design Hub as part of RMIT Architecture discipline within the School of Architecture and Urban Design. The lab space consists of workstations, meeting areas, a maker space and an exhibition space. These spaces facilitate the collaborative and vibrant research culture of the lab.
ROBOTIC TOOLS
The robots are equipped with a series of end-effectors:
Polymer and clay extruders for 3D printing,
MIG/CMT welders for wire arc additive manufacturing,
Hot wire and blade tools for foam carving,
Grippers for pick and place operations,
Incremental sheet-forming tools
Fiber-placement tools,
Experimental tools developed by the lab.
Tectonic Formation Lab work space
PARTNERSHIPS
Collaboration is a key to the operation of the Tectonic Formation Lab, across disciplines, institutions and industries.
While grounded within architectural design, the work of the lab crosses into disciplines including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, structural engineering, art, construction, biology and computer science.
The lab has strong, active collaborations with numerous other schools within RMIT, most notably Aerospace, Engineering and Computer Science. The lab also collaborates with international institutional partners in Europe, Asia and the US.
Engagement with industry is key to creating impact and accessing expertise. The lab is primarily funded through industry partnerships and has research contracts of over a million dollars from industry to RMIT University. These primarily take the form of multi-year industry-funded research projects but also include externally funded pilot, or demonstrator, projects.
While a significant portion of the funding comes from industry and government schemes, a vital component of the research is undertaken by RMIT-supported PhD candidates. This is critical to the innovative nature of the lab through developing blue-sky speculative design research, that is at an experimental stage, prior to engaging with industry.
INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
KEY PARTNERSHIPS
PhD RESEARCHERS
The RMIT Architecture | Tectonic Formation Lab is looking for highly motivated, candidates for PhD research positions. Applicants will have a qualification equivalent to a Master of Architecture degree and expertise in computational design or robotic fabrication. Potential applications should contact the lab director Professor Roland Snooks - roland.snooks@rmit.edu.au
OPEN POSITIONS
CONTACT US
Email: roland.snooks@rmit.edu.au
RMIT Architecture | Tectonic Formation Lab
RMIT University,
School of Architecture and Urban Design,
Design Hub, Level 9
Corner of Swanston Street & Victoria Parade,
Melbourne, 3000, Australia.