06 Sep. 2022
19H–21H

University of Creativity (東京)

Swiss Vitality Talk 1

Collaborative Constructions: crafting circularity, participation and purpose through digital fabrication and architecture

How can robots help humans build sustainable timber structures without a single nail, fastener or metal part? How can members of a community get involved in the design of their own built environment?

This year, Switzerland and Japan are exploring the future of architecture at Aichi Triennale 2022 with “Kizuki-au 築き合う—Collaborative Constructions”, two installations by Gramazio Kohler Research from ETH Zurich and T_ADS Obuchi Lab from the University of Tokyo. Featuring Japanese all-timber tradition revived through Swiss technology, the project sheds light on digital processes in architecture, human-robot interactions, community building and the shift towards a circular mindset.

The Embassy of Switzerland in Japan, in collaboration with UNIVERSITY of CREATIVITY, is pleased to invite you on September 6 to a talk event exploring sustainability, participation and purpose in architecture through the lens of “Kizuki – au”, which means “Building together” in Japanese, but also “Understanding one another”.

YouTube links: https://youtu.be/hiibLIp6xWY (English) / https://youtu.be/BdpX9Eh4Cio (Japanese)

Speakers: Prof. Fabio Gramazio (Gramazio Kohler Resaerch, ETH Zurich), Seiichi Saito (Panoramatiks), Hannes Mayer (ETH Zurich), Prof. Yusuke Obuchi (T_ADS Lab Obuchi, the University of Tokyo), Yukiko Shikata (critic, curator)

Moderators: Hidenori Kondo (UNIVERSITY of CREATIVITY), Jonas Pulver/Yuko Takahashi (Embassy of Switzerland in Japan)

Organizers: Embassy of Switzerland in Japan, UNIVERSITY of CREATIVITY

Program:
19:00 - Remarks by Jonas Pulver, Head of Communications and Culture, Embassy of Switzerland in Japan
19:03 – Keynotes: case studies from Kizuki-au 築き合う－Collaborative Constructions.
19:03– 19:20 (17 min.) Hannes Mayer, Gramazio & Kohler Research, ETH Zurich
19:20 – 19:30 (10min.) Prof. Yusuke Obuchi, T_ADS Obuchi Lab, University of Tokyo
19:30-20:10 (40 min.)
Panel Discussion 1 - How can construction embrace circularity and repurposing through technology? How can architectural culture transform community dynamics, and provide a new horizon for value creation?
Hannes Mayer (ETH Zurich), Prof. Yusuke Obuchi (Tokyo University), Yukiko Shikata (critic, curator), Hidenori Kondo (UNIVERSITY of CREATIVITY), Yuko Takahashi (Embassy of Switzerland in Japan)
20:10 – 20:50 (40 min.)
Panel Discussion 2 – Human-machine i(n)tera(c)tions: How are computers, automation and robots re-shaping the realm of design? What does it say about the human role in the creative process, and the relation between built and digital spaces?
Prof. Fabio Gramazio (ETH Zurich), Prof. Yusuke Obuchi (Tokyo University), Seiichi Saito (Panoramatiks), Hidenori Kondo (UNIVERSITY of CREATIVITY), Jonas Pulver (Embassy of Switzerland in Japan)
20:50 – 21:00 (10min.) Q&A session