NCCR Digital Fabrication
2014 series
Home institution: ETH Zurich
The NCCR "Digital Fabrication – Innovative Building Processes in Architecture" aims to secure a leading position for Switzerland in this new and highly interesting sector, which is fast becoming a core discipline of architecture. Through a multidisciplinary approach the disciplines of architecture, engineering, robotics, and material and computer sciences are brought together in an ambitious partnership to establish digital technology as an essential part of future building processes. This new approach combines digitally mediated architectural design with robotic construction technologies to augment contemporary construction processes. The benefits of digital construction are evident: efficient use of production resources, material-specific concepts and durability, thanks to the seamless integration of design and fabrication.
Further information on the NCCR:
Contact details
NCCR Management
NCCR Director
Prof. Philippe Block
NCCR Digital Fabrication
ETH Zürich
Building HIP /Floor E/ Room 25
Stefano-Franscini-Platz 1
CH-8093 Zürich
Phone: +41 (0) 44 633 41 01
Email: block@arch.ethz.chManagement / Coordination
Dr. Russell Loveridge
NCCR Digital Fabrication
ETH Zürich
Building HIP /Floor E/ Room 25
Stefano-Franscini-Platz 1
CH-8093 Zürich
Phone: +41 (0) 44 633 36 99
Email: loveridge@dfab.chFunding
NCCRs are financed through grants awarded by the SNSF, but also from other sources. The home institution involved in the NCCR also contributes a substantial amount of money. The available overall budget of the NCCR is further increased by monetary contributions from the project participants and third-party funds, which are generally invested by industrial companies.
The SNSF is financing the NCCR Digital Fabrication in its second funding period.
Financing 2014 – 2021 (Swiss francs)
Funding source
2014-2017
2018-2021
2022-2026
SNSF grant
13'441'280
14'559’109
Funds of ETH Zurich
8'825'936
9’5727217
Group funds of the project participants
4'795'110
9'465’590
External funds
5'756'043
11'943’482
Evaluation / Review Panel
For each NCCR, the SNSF appoints a Review Panel composed of renowned experts whose task it is to evaluate scientific quality and the progress made in NCCR projects. The Review Panel of the NCCR Digital Fabrication consists of the following experts:
Contact person at the SNSF:
Dr. Stefan Bachmann
NCCR Team
Swiss National Science Foundation
Wildhainweg 3
3001 Berne
Phone: +41 (0) 31 308 23 49
Email: stefan.bachmann@snf.chResearch structures
National Centres of Competence in Research leave their mark on the research landscape well beyond the SNSF funding period. They help to define key topics and sustainably change Swiss research structures. Thus NCCRs can lead to the creation of new professorships and courses of study as well as new infrastructures or platforms at the universities involved.
NCCRs operate as a network in which a large number of scientific partners are active. Working within these networks has borne fruit in the form of new research approaches and excellent scientific contributions.
Structures created by this NCCR until now:
Contributions to society and the economy
The National Centres of Competence in Research not only engage in cutting-edge research, they also play an important role in transferring knowledge and new technologies to the economy and to society at large. They lead to the formation of start-ups, and the new insights have the potential to awaken the interest of politicians, globally active companies and the public at large.
Communication and knowledge transfer of the NCCR Digital Fabrication:
Promotion of academic careers and equal opportunities
The National Centres of Competence in Research consciously promote promising young researchers and are committed to equal opportunities for men and women in research.
Measures taken by the NCCR Digital Fabrication to promote young researchers and gender equality: