RESEARCH

Research and Practice

The Digital Design and Fabrication Lab focuses on rethinking the way we design and build architecture using information technologies. The research targets both the creative phases of concept and schematic design, exploring an architecture that could not have been imagined without digital media, as well as the later phases of design-development and construction, investigating methods for efficiently implementing contemporary architecture that could not have been constructed without the integration of the arts and sciences via digital computation. Research work is classified in the following areas:

  • Design Computation: Development of purpose-built computer software including parametric and building information modeling principles for experimental design and rationalization of architectural projects for construction.
  • Digital Fabrication: Deployment of computer numerical control, rapid prototyping and industrial robotics for fabrication of complex designs.
  • Sensing Technologies: Data acquisition using 3D Scanning for applications such as architectural visualization, site/context analysis and building heritage conservation.

Collaboration Opportunities

Industry Partners: For project development inquiries including rationalization of complex geometry for building construction, automation in documentation and production, optimization of building performance metrics please contact dritsas@sutd.edu.sg

Researchers: PhD scholarships and research positions at the Singapore University of Technology and Design are available twice a year. Please contact stylianosdritsas@sutd.edu.sg for additional information with regards to ongoing projects and availability.

Publications

  1. Dritsas, S., Vijay, Y., Halim, S., Teo, R., Sanadyia, N., Fernandez, J. (2020) Cellulosic Biocomposites for Sustainable Manufacturing, Fabricate 2020, UCL Press. https://www.uclpress.co.uk/products/154646
  2. Sanandiya, N.D., Ottenheim, C., Phua, J.W. Caligiani, A., Dritsas, S. and Fernandez, J. (2020) Circular manufacturing of chitinous bio-composites via bioconversion of urban refuse, Scientific Reports, 10, 4632. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61664-1
  3. Dritsas, S., Vijay, Y., Halim, E.P.S., Teo, R., Sanandya, N. and Fernandez, J. (2019) Additive Manufacturing with Natural Composites, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Intelligent and Informed, Wellington, New Zealand. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2019_106.pdf
  4. Teo, E., Ratchakitprakarn, P., Pang, Y. J., Low, R., Yu, X. and Dritsas, S. (2019) Stereolithography with Randomized Aggregates, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Intelligent and Informed, Wellington, New Zealand. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2019_198.pdf
  5. Ng, J., Ho, S., Soh, J. Y., Ng, T. and Dritsas, S. (2019) Digital Fabrication of Lightweight Fiber Reinforced Concrete, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Intelligent and Informed, Wellington, New Zealand. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2019_173.pdf
  6. Vijay, Y., Sanadiya, G.N., Dritsas, S. and Fernandez, J. (2019) Control of Process Settings for Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing with Sustainable Natural Composites, Journal of Mechanical Design, American Society of Mechanical Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4042624
  7. Dritsas, S., Halim, E.P.S., Vijay, Y., Sanandya, G.N. and Fernandez, G. J. (2018) Digital Fabrication with Natural Composites, Journal of Construction Robotics, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41693-018-0011-0
  8. Dritsas, S., Vijay, Y., Dimopoulou, M., Sanandiya, N. and Fernandez, J. (2018) An Additive and Subtractive Process for Manufacturing with Natural Composites, Proceedings of Robotic Fabrication in Architecture, Art and Design, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92294-2_14
  9. Chee R.W.S., Tan W.L., Goh W.H., Amtsberg F. and Dritsas S. (2018), Concrete Fabrication by Digitally Controlled Injection, Proceedings of Robotic Fabrication in Architecture, Art and Design, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92294-2_11
  10. Sanadiya, N., Dimopoulou, M., Vijay, Y., Dritsas, S. and Fernandez, J. (2018)Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing with Bioinspired Cellulosic Materials, Scientific Reports, Springer Nature Limited. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-26985-2
  11. Chen, Y., Xia, T., Koh, J.L., Goh, Y.Q. and Dritsas, S. (2018) Form-Finding with Robotics: Rapid and Flexible Fabrication of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete Panels using Thermoformed Molds (In-Print), Journal of Computational Design and Engineering, Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcde.2018.10.002
  12. Dritsas, S. and Soh, G.S. (2018) Building Robotics Design for Construction Design considerations and principles for mobile systems, Journal of Construction Robotics, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41693-018-0010-1
  13. Vijay, Y., Sanadiya, G.N., Dritsas, S. and Fernandez, J. (2018) Control of Process Settings for Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing with Sustainable Natural Composites, International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, Design for Manufacturing and the Life Cycle, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Quebec, Canada. https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2018-85994
  14. Chee, R., Tan, WL, Goh, H., Amtsberg, F. and Dritsas, S. (2018) Locally Differentiated Concrete by Digitally Controlled Material Injection, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Learning, Prototyping and Adapting, Beijing, China. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2018_156.pdf
  15. Teh, P., Ng, C., Leung, CK., Amtsberg, F. and Dritsas, S. (2018) Robotic Fabrication of Lightweight Surface Assemblies by Parametric Delamination of Polyurethane-Fabric Components, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia Learning, Prototyping and Adapting, Beijing, China. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2018_080.pdf
  16. Dritsas, S., Chen, L. and Sass, L. (2017) Small 3D Printers / Large Scale Artifacts: Computation for Automated Spatial Lattice Design-to-Fabrication with Low Cost Linear Elements and 3D Printed Nodes, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Protocols, Flows, and Glitches, Suzhou, China. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2017_069.pdf
  17. Xia, T., Chen, Y., Koh, J.L., Goh, Y.Q. and Dritsas, S. (2017) Form-Finding with Robotics: Fusing Physical Simulation and Digital Fabrication, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Protocols, Flows, and Glitches, Suzhou, China. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2017_005.pdf
  18. Tan, R., Sia, C.K., Tee, Y.K., Koh, K. and Dritsas, S. (2017) Developing Composite Wood for 3D Printing, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Protocols, Flows, and Glitches, Suzhou, China. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2017_041.pdf
  19. Wang, S., Dritsas, S., Morel, P. and Ho., K. (2017) Clay Robotics: A Hybrid 3D Printing Casting Process, Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Smart Manufacturing, Challenges for Technology Innovation: An Agenda for the Future. CRC Press London, UK. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781315198101
  20. Pan, W., Chen, L. and Dritsas, S. (2016) Pick-and-Place Process Sequencing for Transformation of Rasterized 3D Structures, Automation in Construction Journal, Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2016.12.007
  21. Dritsas, S. (2016) An Advanced Parametric Modeling Library for Architectural and Engineering Design, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Living Systems and Micro-Utopias: Towards Continuous Designing, Melbourne, Australia. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2016_611.pdf
  22. Tan, R. and Dritsas, S. (2016) Clay Robotics: Tool Making and Sculpting of Clay with a Six-Axis Robot, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Living Systems and Micro-Utopias: Towards Continuous Designing, Melbourne, Australia. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2016_579.pdf
  23. Dritsas, S. and Yeo, KS. (2016) Tangible Digital Heritage, Book Chapter, The Digital in Cultural Spaces, Thangamma Karthigesu (ed) Culture Academy Singapore, ISBN: 978-981-11-5764-6.
  24. Dritsas, S. (2015) A Digital Design and Fabrication Library, Proceedings of the Symposium on Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design, Spring Simulation Multiconference, SimAUD Group, Washington, DC, USA.
  25. Dritsas, S. (2015) Procedural Building Information Modeling for Digital Fabrication, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Emerging Experience in Past, Present and Future of Digital Architecture, Daegu, South Korea. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2015_108.content.pdf
  26. Dritsas, S. and Tuncer, B. (2015) Being BIM-Ready for the Future, BuildSmart: A Construction Productivity Magazine, Issue 16(30), Building Construction Authority, Singapore
  27. Dritsas, S. and Kaijima, S. (2014) Introducing Architecture & Engineering to Prospective Undergraduate Students, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Rethinking Comprehensive Design, Kyoto, Japan. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2014_163.content.pdf
  28. Dritsas, S. and Goulthorpe, M. (2013) An Automated Robotic Manufacturing Process for The Thermoplastic Panel Building Technology, Proceedings of the Computer Aided Architectural Design Futures Conference, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38974-0_11
  29. Dritsas, S. and Yeo, KS. (2013) Heritage Buildings and Digital Tectonics, Architecture Design (AD), Wiley & Sons Publishing, London, UK, https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.1565
  30. Dritsas, S., Kalvo, R. and Sevtsuk, A. (2013) Packing Optimizations for Digital Fabrication, Proceedings of the Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Computation and Performance, Delft, Netherlands. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/ecaade2013_011.content.pdf
  31. Dritsas, S. and Yeo, KS. (2013) Undrawable Architecture: Digital Workflows for the Conservation of Heritage Buildings and the Discovery of Digital Tectonics, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Open System, Singapore. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2013_015.content.pdf
  32. Yeo, KS., Dritsas, S. and Wee, ST. (2012) Ideals versus Reality: A Fine Balancing Act in the Decision-Making Process of Architectural Conservation, Proceedings of the International Conference on East Asian Architectural Culture, Convergence and Divergence: Contemporary Challenges in East Asian Architectural Studies, EAAC Conference, Hong Kong, China.
  33. Dritsas, S. (2012) Design-Built Rationalization Strategies and Applications, International Journal of Architectural Computing, Volume 10, Issue 04, Multi-Science / Doppler Press, Essex, UK. https://doi.org/10.1260/1478-0771.10.4.575
  34. Dritsas, S. (2012) The Rationalization of Complex Building Envelopes, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Chennai, India. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2012_003.content.pdf
  35. Wood, K. L., Mohan, R.E., Kaijima, S., Dritsas, S., Frey, D.D., Kay-White, C., Jensen, D.D, Crawford, R.H., Moreno, D. and Pey, KL. (2012) A Symphony of Designiettes: Exploring the Boundaries of Design Thinking in Engineering Education, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education, ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, San Antonio, Texas, USA. https://www.asee.org/public/conferences/8/papers/4004/download
  36. Dritsas, S. (2012) Digital and Physical Design Sensibility, Dosya, Computational Design, Volume 10, Issue 29, Turkish Institute of Architects, Ankara, Turkey.
  37. Dritsas, S. (2009) Performance-Driven Architectural Design, Book Chapter, Computational Constructs: Architectural Design, Logic and Theory, Chen, Shouheng, Li Shuyi, Josh Lobel (eds), China Architecture & Building Press, Beijing, China. ISBN: 9787112113569
  38. Hesselgren, L. and Dritsas, S. (2008) Architectural Structure, Computational Strategies, Book Chapter, Space Craft: Developments in Architectural Computing, David Littlefield (ed) RIBA Publishing, London, UK. ISBN: 9781859462928
  39. Dritsas, S. and Rafailaki, E. (2007) A Computational Framework for Theatrical Design, Proceedings of the Arab Society for Computer Aided Architectural Design, Embodying Virtual Architecture, ASCAAD Conference, Alexandria, Egypt. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/ascaad2007_014.content.pdf
  40. Hesselgren, L., Charitou, R. and Dritsas, S. (2007) The Bishopsgate Tower Case Study, International Journal of Architectural Computing, Volume 05, Issue 01, Multi-Science / Doppler Press, Essex, UK. https://doi.org/10.1260/147807707780912912
  41. Dritsas, S. and Becker, M. (2007) Research & Design in Shifting from Analog to Digital, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture, Expanding Bodies: Art-Cities-Environment, ACADIA Conference, Halifax, Canada. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/acadia07_056.content.pdf
  42. Dritsas, S. (2006) Research and Design by Digital Methodologies, Architects: Architecture and Digital Technologies, Issue: 60, Technical Chamber of Greece, Institute of Architects.
  43. Dritsas, S., Charitou, R. and Hesselgren, L. (2006) Computational Methods on Tall Buildings: The Bishopsgate Tower, Proceedings of the Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Communication Space(s), Volos, Greece. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/2006_778.content.pdf
  44. Dritsas, S. (2005) MiranScript: Intuitive Calculations, Proceedings of the Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Digital Design: The Quest for New Paradigms, eCAADe Conference, Lisbon, Portugal. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/2005_705.content.pdf
  45. Dritsas, S., Kashyap, S. (2005) Scripted Mockups: Bridging Digital and Physical Through Computation, Proceedings of the Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Delhi, India. http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2005_a_7c_g.content.pdf