Call for Papers
Paper Call
Catalysed by advances in computational design and robotic hardware the Robots in Architecture community has presented novel research into innovative methods for material processing, realising complex forms, and human-robot co-creation. However, as we are confronted with global crises; climate change, and resource shortage, it has become our responsibility as researchers and practitioners to engage and discuss how robotics in architecture can begin mitigating these challenges.
Responding to this challenge has no singular answer, but solutions can be seeded through a collective commitment to innovate and collaborate across disciplinary silos. Architects, artists, designers, engineers, data scientists, biologists, and environmentalists, to name a few, must join forces to identify challenges and solutions across different scales, disciplines, and cultural domains.
Thus, the ROB|ARCH2026 conference is an invitation to reflect on how we contextualise and utilize robots in architecture, art and design by rethinking not only how we design and generate form, but also how we select materials for fabrication, how materials are processed and sourced, how manufacturing information is managed, and even how stakeholders engage with robotic technology. The theme is an invitation to move beyond parametric file-to-factory workflows in the pursuit of “detangling dependencies” within robotics research and practice to explore aspects that move beyond processes performed in the lab and construction site.
ROB|ARCH2026: Detangling Dependencies seeks interdisciplinary contributions which integrate research in architectural robotics with the following themes:
A: Robots + Material Innovations.
Theme A seeks submissions addressing robotic processes and workflows that support material innovations, which can include and are not limited to: biogenic materials, various material composites/polymers, meta materials, and novel material processes. Furthermore, robotic workflows impact on material behavior and how material characterization can be supported by robotic processes is of relevance.
B: Robots + Environment and Resources.
Theme B seeks contributions that engage with strategies for a more resource-efficient future. Inputs should prioritize innovative strategies that minimize waste, reduce carbon footprints, promote circular economies, and develop frameworks for reuse of reclaimed materials. This involves methods for effective management of resources, including (operative) energy use and lifecycle assessments, or robotic workflows exploring sustainable reuse practices including approaches to assembly and disassembly.
C: Robots + Social and Cultural Dependencies.
Theme C interrogates the role of robotics in the future of construction and on-site practices, through research that emphasise the impact of robotics on localised fabrication, interaction between robot operator and craftsperson, and the emergence of new understandings of robotic craft. Through contributions we will gain an understanding of requirements for new educational models and upskill requirements for the future construction site.
D: Robots + Emerging Methodologies.
Theme D seeks contributions that explore methods related to how data sourcing, intelligent modeling and ethics affects the use of Robotics in Art, Architecture and Design. This can include subjects and research related to robotic instruction and collaboration, data practice, machine learning and autonomous robotics. As a result, this topic encourages contributions that move beyond or questions the notion of robotics as an industrial or collaborative robotic arm with an end effector.
Deadlines
Deadlines and other important information can be found bellow or on the important dates page.