FlexBrick, ETH Zurich, 2008-2010
Masonry facade system prefabricated in a robot-based manufacturing process

The façade system “Flexbrick” made out of masonry is manufactured by a robot-based fabrication process. Therefore the efficiency and flexibility of this digitally informed process of prefabrication are combined with the appreciated and sustainable construction of masonry in-situ. New potentials for the discipline of architecture arise as new kinds of application in terms of technical performance and new ways of aesthetical expression are made possible.



Flexbrick: Prototype 2
Flexbrick: Prototype 2
Flexbrick: Prototype 2, detail




Credits:
Gramazio & Kohler, Architecture and Digital Fabrication, ETH Zurich

In cooperation with: innovation promotion agency CTI
Client: Keller Ziegeleien AG, Pfungen
Research programme: KTI
Collaborators: ETH Zürich: Markus Giera (project lead), Volker Helm, Dr. Ralph Bärtschi, Tobias Bonwetsch, Mike Lyrenmann, Chang Zhang
Keller AG Ziegeleien: Christian Ehmann, Kurt Schuler, Dr. Jenö Varga, Max Wassmer
Consultancy: EMPA - Dübendorf, Professur für Bauphysik - ETH Zürich