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Zechmeister, Christoph

Christoph Zechmeister

Dr.-Ing., MAS ETH AI

Research Group Leader | Computational Fibre Architecture
2018 - current

Contact

+49 711 685 81918
Email

Stuttgart
Deutschland

Publications

2026
1. Duque Estrada, R., Balangé, L., Zechmeister, C., Hartmann, V. N., Kannenberg, F., Toussaint, M., Schwieger, V., & Menges, A. (2026). Bridging Physical and Digital Domains of Coreless Wound Fibrous Structures: Benchmarking a Simulation Method. Journal of Computational Design and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcde/qwag031
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{DuqueEstrada_2026, abstract = {The advancement of digital fabrication technologies and computational design has expanded the possibilities in architecture and construction. These technologies enable the creation of innovative structures and the exploration of non-standard materials, resulting in a new understanding of the design process and the development of advanced digital tools. Among these innovations, coreless filament winding, a robotic fabrication process, has facilitated new applications of fiber-polymer composites in architecture over the past decade. Coreless wound structures are characterized by a sequential and emergent nature, where the final geometry is shaped by material behavior. As a result, these structures are inherently difficult to predict, requiring constant feedback between digital models and physical prototypes due to the limited availability of fast, accessible simulation methods. This paper presents a simulation method developed to address this gap by supporting the early design stage of coreless wound fiber structures. The method incorporates relevant design and fabrication parameters while maintaining a necessary level of abstraction to ensure efficiency and accessibility. A case study was conducted to evaluate the simulation’s accuracy and examine the influence of different parameters on the final geometry. The study benchmarks a set of digitally simulated fiber specimens against their physical counterparts. The physical behavior of the fiber elements was captured using a monitoring method that scans the structure after each fiber segment is wound, enabling the observation of material behavior throughout the process. The results demonstrate the method’s efficacy, showing an average displacement deviation of -20 mm and high precision in fiber interaction, with 73% of specimens achieving 100% accuracy in generating intersection points. Furthermore, the study assesses the influence of design and fabrication parameters on fiber behavior, enabling informed decisions in early-stage design. By introducing an accessible and computationally efficient simulation method, the research aims to contribute to the field by providing efficient, early-stage feedback and an initial understanding of material behavior in coreless filament winding, while also identifying current limitations and directions for future research.}, author = {Duque Estrada, Rebeca and Balangé, Laura and Zechmeister, Christoph and Hartmann, Valentin Noah and Kannenberg, Fabian and Toussaint, Marc and Schwieger, Volker and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.1093/jcde/qwag031}, issn = {2288-5048}, journal = {Journal of Computational Design and Engineering}, month = {03}, publisher = {Oxford University Press (OUP)}, title = {Bridging Physical and Digital Domains of Coreless Wound Fibrous Structures: Benchmarking a Simulation Method}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jcde/qwag031}, year = 2026 }
2025
1. Göbel, M., Zechmeister, C., Wagner, H. J., & Menges, A. (2025). Materialeffizientes Bauen mit biogenen Rohstoffen. In Landinfo (No. 04; Schwerpunktthema: Bioökonomie, pp. 30–32). Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Ländlichen Raum (LEL). https://lel.landwirtschaft-bw.de/site/pbs-bw-rebrush2024/get/documents_E-338580956/MLR.LEL/PB5Documents/lel/Abteilung_1/Landinfo/Landinfo_extern/2025/Heft_4/E-Paper/index.html
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @incollection{gbel2025materialeffizientes, author = {Göbel, Monika and Zechmeister, Christoph and Wagner, Hans Jakob and Menges, Achim}, edition = {Schwerpunktthema: Bioökonomie}, issn = {0947-9392}, journal = {Landinfo}, language = {German}, month = {12}, number = 04, pages = {30-32}, preprinturl = {https://lel.landwirtschaft-bw.de/site/pbs-bw-rebrush2024/get/documents_E-338580956/MLR.LEL/PB5Documents/lel/Abteilung_1/Landinfo/Landinfo_extern/2025/Heft_4/E-Paper/index.html}, publisher = {Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Ländlichen Raum (LEL)}, title = {Materialeffizientes Bauen mit biogenen Rohstoffen}, url = {https://lel.landwirtschaft-bw.de/site/pbs-bw-rebrush2024/get/documents_E-338580956/MLR.LEL/PB5Documents/lel/Abteilung_1/Landinfo/Landinfo_extern/2025/Heft_4/E-Paper/index.html}, year = 2025 }
2. Bozó, D. C., Mindermann, P., Göbel, M., Zechmeister, C., Hildebrandt, H., Duque Estrada, R., Chen, T.-Y., Knippers, J., Menges, A., & Gresser, G. T. (2025). Hybrid-Flax-Pavilion – Novel hybrid building system using natural fibers.
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{boz2025hybridflaxpavilion, author = {Bozó, Daniel Christopher and Mindermann, Pascal and Göbel, Monika and Zechmeister, Christoph and Hildebrandt, Harrison and Duque Estrada, Rebeca and Chen, Tzu-Ying and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim and Gresser, Götz T.}, institution = {AVK Composites Report 11}, title = {Hybrid-Flax-Pavilion – Novel hybrid building system using natural fibers}, year = 2025 }
3. Zechmeister, C., Hildebrandt, H., Duque Estrada, R., Chen, T.-Y., Gil Pérez, M., Kannenberg, F., Schlopschnat, C., Göbel, M., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2025). Design and development of natural fiber-timber hybrid beam elements for sustainable construction. Architectural Intelligence, 4, Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44223-025-00083-6
  - BibTeX
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  @article{Zechmeister2025, abstract = {The growing demand for inhabitable spaces drives increased reliance on energy-intensive construction materials such as concrete and steel, which significantly contribute to global carbon emissions and resource depletion, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. Renewable, bio-based materials like timber provide viable solutions, offering carbon sequestration and reduced environmental impact but lead to challenges related to biodiversity conservation, land use, and sustainable forest management. Natural fibers such as flax are increasingly used in sustainable composite materials and exhibit short growth cycles, minimal environmental impact, and favorable mechanical properties. When combined with timber, natural fiber-timber hybrids offer a large potential for high-performance, resource-efficient structural building parts. By leveraging the complementary strengths of both materials, such hybrids reduce reliance on valuable timber resources, replacing them with fast-growing flax fibers. To realize this potential for natural fiber-timber hybrid beam elements, existing design, evaluation, and fabrication methods for fibrous building parts are expanded and adapted. Suitable material candidates for fiber-timber hybrids are classified and characterized, and morphological parameters are defined to design and evaluate novel beam typologies. To allow for the manufacturing of large-scale natural fiber bodies for use in hybrid beam elements, new robotic fabrication methods are introduced, and existing manufacturing equipment is expanded. These innovations are exemplified by the Hybrid Flax Pavilion, the first permanent building to incorporate load-bearing natural fiber-timber hybrid components.}, author = {Zechmeister, C. and Hildebrandt, H. and Duque Estrada, R. and Chen, T.-Y. and Gil P{\'e}rez, M. and Kannenberg, F. and Schlopschnat, C. and G{\"o}bel, M. and Knippers, J. and Menges, A.}, day = 27, doi = {10.1007/s44223-025-00083-6}, issn = {2731-6726}, journal = {Architectural Intelligence}, month = {02}, number = 1, pages = 4, title = {Design and development of natural fiber-timber hybrid beam elements for sustainable construction}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s44223-025-00083-6}, volume = 4, year = 2025 }
4. Göbel, M., Zechmeister, C., Duque Estrada, R., Weißert, J., Hildebrandt, H., Rossa, A., Schlopschnat, C., Bozó, D. C., Mindermann, P., Chen, T.-Y., Knippers, J., Gresser, G. T., Schünemann, F., Leistner, P., & Menges, A. (2025). The Hybrid Flax Pavilion: Towards minimally invasive bio-based Architecture. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (No. 1; Vol. 1554, p. 12095). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1554/1/012095
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  @proceedings{Göbel_2025, abstract = {Wood is a renewable, carbon-sequestering material, but its efficient use is critical for sustainable forestry and avoiding land use conflicts. Integrating flax fiber composites with wood enables material-efficient construction by combining the strengths of both materials. While flax offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers, its cultivation in Germany is still limited, and bio-based hybrids face regulatory and certification challenges. The Hybrid Flax Pavilion showcases an innovative flax fiber–timber system, reducing timber use through thin cross-laminated timber combined with fast-renewing flax fibers. Its load-bearing structure was assembled in only eight days using minimally invasive methods and prefabricated, digitally manufactured building components. By collaborating with local craftspeople and industry partners, the project strengthens the bioeconomy and promotes responsible use of bio-based materials. It sets a precedent for circular, low-carbon architecture by integrating regional resources, digital fabrication, and research-driven practice.}, author = {Göbel, Monika and Zechmeister, Christoph and Duque Estrada, Rebeca and Weißert, Julia and Hildebrandt, Harrison and Rossa, Alina and Schlopschnat, Christoph and Bozó, Daniel C and Mindermann, Pascal and Chen, Tzu-Ying and Knippers, Jan and Gresser, G T and Schünemann, Franziska and Leistner, Philip and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.1088/1755-1315/1554/1/012095}, journal = {IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science}, month = {11}, number = 1, pages = 012095, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, title = {The Hybrid Flax Pavilion: Towards minimally invasive bio-based Architecture}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1554/1/012095}, volume = 1554, year = 2025 }
5. Zechmeister, C., Hildebrandt, H., Duque Estrada, R., Chen, T.-Y., Gil Pérez, M., Kannenberg, F., Schlopschnat, C., Göbel, M., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2025). Design and development of natural fiber-timber hybrid beam elements for sustainable construction. Architectural Intelligence, 4, Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44223-025-00083-6
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{Zechmeister2025, abstract = {The growing demand for inhabitable spaces drives increased reliance on energy-intensive construction materials such as concrete and steel, which significantly contribute to global carbon emissions and resource depletion, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. Renewable, bio-based materials like timber provide viable solutions, offering carbon sequestration and reduced environmental impact but lead to challenges related to biodiversity conservation, land use, and sustainable forest management. Natural fibers such as flax are increasingly used in sustainable composite materials and exhibit short growth cycles, minimal environmental impact, and favorable mechanical properties. When combined with timber, natural fiber-timber hybrids offer a large potential for high-performance, resource-efficient structural building parts. By leveraging the complementary strengths of both materials, such hybrids reduce reliance on valuable timber resources, replacing them with fast-growing flax fibers. To realize this potential for natural fiber-timber hybrid beam elements, existing design, evaluation, and fabrication methods for fibrous building parts are expanded and adapted. Suitable material candidates for fiber-timber hybrids are classified and characterized, and morphological parameters are defined to design and evaluate novel beam typologies. To allow for the manufacturing of large-scale natural fiber bodies for use in hybrid beam elements, new robotic fabrication methods are introduced, and existing manufacturing equipment is expanded. These innovations are exemplified by the Hybrid Flax Pavilion, the first permanent building to incorporate load-bearing natural fiber-timber hybrid components.}, author = {Zechmeister, C. and Hildebrandt, H. and Duque Estrada, R. and Chen, T.-Y. and Gil P{\'e}rez, M. and Kannenberg, F. and Schlopschnat, C. and Göbel, M. and Knippers, J. and Menges, A.}, day = 27, doi = {10.1007/s44223-025-00083-6}, issn = {2731-6726}, journal = {Architectural Intelligence}, month = {02}, number = 1, pages = 4, title = {Design and development of natural fiber-timber hybrid beam elements for sustainable construction}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s44223-025-00083-6}, volume = 4, year = 2025 }
2024
1. Hildebrandt, H., He, M., Chen, P.-A., Estrada, R. D., Zechmeister, C., & Menges, A. (2024). Slack Pack: Fabrication System for the Dual Robotic Winding of Spatial Fiber Structures. In C. Yan, H. Chai, T. Sun, & P. F. Yuan (eds.), Phygital Intelligence (pp. 476–491). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8405-3_40
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  @inproceedings{10.1007/978-981-99-8405-3_40, abstract = {Advancements in technology are ushering in an era in architecture in which new design methods and tools are being developed that necessitate entirely new means of fabrication, and, inversely, novel innovations in fabrication require completely new ways of designing. Coreless filament winding is a contemporary fabrication method in which fiber reinforced polymers are robotically wound on frames. Even though research on the frame design has reached promising levels of adaptability and material efficiency, these frames limit fabrication flexibility and increase fabrication time and costs. This paper introduces Slack Pack, a novel fiber winding technique for the fabrication of deployable spatial structures. It eliminates the use of frames by introducing slack into the fabrication process through the controlled tensioning and un-tensioning of fibers. Slack Pack employs a cyber-physical fabrication system that combines a generative design workflow and a multi-agent robotic fabrication setup with a custom end effector. The proposed method is evaluated through a series of physical experiments and digital simulations, demonstrating its potential for the fabrication of spatial fiber structures.}, address = {Singapore}, author = {Hildebrandt, Harrison and He, Mengxi and Chen, Peng-An and Estrada, Rebeca Duque and Zechmeister, Christoph and Menges, Achim}, booktitle = {Phygital Intelligence}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8405-3_40}, editor = {Yan, Chao and Chai, Hua and Sun, Tongyue and Yuan, Philip F.}, isbn = {978-981-99-8405-3}, language = {english}, pages = {476--491}, publisher = {Springer Nature Singapore}, series = {The International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication}, title = {Slack Pack: Fabrication System for the Dual Robotic Winding of Spatial Fiber Structures}, year = 2024 }
2. Zechmeister, C., Dambrosio, N., Duque Estrada, R., Kannenberg, F., Schlopschnat, C., Bodea, S., Gil Pérez, M., Rongen, B., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2024). Component Data Protocols for the Fabrication of Coreless-Wound Structural Building Components in the BUGA Fibre Pavilion and Maison Fibre [DaRUS]. https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-4350
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @dataset{darus-4350_2024, author = {Zechmeister, Christoph and Dambrosio, Niccolo and Duque Estrada, Rebeca and Kannenberg, Fabian and Schlopschnat, Christoph and Bodea, Serban and Gil Pérez, Marta and Rongen, Bas and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.18419/darus-4350}, publisher = {DaRUS}, title = {Component Data Protocols for the Fabrication of Coreless-Wound Structural Building Components in the BUGA Fibre Pavilion and Maison Fibre}, url = {https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-4350}, version = {V1}, year = 2024 }
3. Dambrosio, N., Zechmeister, C., Gil Pérez, M., Dörstelmann, M., Stark, T., Rinderspacher, K., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2024). Livmats Pavilion : Design and Development of a Novel Building System Based on Natural Fibres Coreless-Wound Structural Components for Applications in Architecture. Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures, 65, Article 2. https://doi.org/10.20898/j.iass.2024.009
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  @article{dambrosio2024livmats, author = {Dambrosio, Niccolo and Zechmeister, Christoph and Gil Pérez, Marta and Dörstelmann, Moritz and Stark, Tim and Rinderspacher, Katja and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.20898/j.iass.2024.009}, issn = {{1028-365X} and {1996-9015}}, journal = {Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures}, language = {eng}, number = 2, pages = {133-145}, publisher = {International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures}, title = {Livmats Pavilion : Design and Development of a Novel Building System Based on Natural Fibres Coreless-Wound Structural Components for Applications in Architecture}, volume = 65, year = 2024 }
4. Kannenberg, F., Zechmeister, C., Gil Pérez, M., Guo, Y., Yang, X., Forster, D., Hügle, S., Mindermann, P., Abdelaal, M., Balangé, L., Schwieger, V., Weiskopf, D., Gresser, G. T., Middendorf, P., Bischoff, M., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2024). Toward reciprocal feedback between computational design, engineering, and fabrication to co-design coreless filament-wound structures. Journal of Computational Design and Engineering, 11, Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcde/qwae048
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{Kannenberg2024, abstract = {{Fiber-reinforced composites offer innovative solutions for architectural applications with high strength and low weight. Coreless filament winding extends industrial processes, reduces formwork, and allows for tailoring of fiber layups to specific requirements. A previously developed computational co-design framework for coreless filament winding is extended toward the integration of reciprocal design feedback to maximize design flexibility and inform design decisions throughout the process. A multi-scalar design representation is introduced, representing fiber structures at different levels of detail to generate feedback between computational design, engineering, and fabrication. Design methods for global, component, and material systems are outlined and feedback generation is explained. Structural and fabrication feedback are classified, and their integration is described in detail. This paper demonstrates how reciprocal feedback allows for co-evolution of domains of expertise and extends the existing co-design framework toward design problems. The developed methods are shown in two case studies at a global and component scale.}}, author = {Kannenberg, Fabian and Zechmeister, Christoph and Gil Pérez, Marta and Guo, Yanan and Yang, Xiliu and Forster, David and Hügle, Sebastian and Mindermann, Pascal and Abdelaal, Moataz and Balangé, Laura and Schwieger, Volker and Weiskopf, Daniel and Gresser, Götz T and Middendorf, Peter and Bischoff, Manfred and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.1093/jcde/qwae048}, eprint = {https://academic.oup.com/jcde/article-pdf/11/3/374/58347694/qwae048.pdf}, issn = {2288-5048}, journal = {Journal of Computational Design and Engineering}, month = {05}, number = 3, pages = {374-394}, title = {{Toward reciprocal feedback between computational design, engineering, and fabrication to co-design coreless filament-wound structures}}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/jcde/qwae048}, volume = 11, year = 2024 }
5. Zechmeister, C. (2024). Computational fiber architecture : co-design of large-scale, load-adapted fiber composite building components for robotic pre-fabrication (Dissertation No. 16, Institute for Computational Design and Construction, University of Stuttgart). https://doi.org/10.18419/opus-15439
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @phdthesis{zechmeister2023computational, address = {Stuttgart}, author = {Zechmeister, Christoph}, doi = {10.18419/opus-15439}, eventdate = {2024-02-29}, isbn = {978-3-9824862-5-3}, language = {eng}, number = 16, publisher = {Institute for Computational Design and Construction, University of Stuttgart}, school = {Universität Stuttgart}, series = {Research reports / Institute for Computational Design and Construction}, supervisor = {Menges, Achim}, supervisorgnd = {141908459}, title = {Computational fiber architecture : co-design of large-scale, load-adapted fiber composite building components for robotic pre-fabrication}, type = {Dissertation}, year = 2024 }
6. Gil Pérez, M., Zechmeister, C., Dambrosio, N., Rongen, B., Menges, A., & Knippers, J. (2024). Material Testing Data for Coreless Filament Winding Using Small-Scale, Star-Type Specimens [DaRUS]. https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-4358
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @dataset{darus-4358_2024, author = {Gil Pérez, Marta and Zechmeister, Christoph and Dambrosio, Niccolo and Rongen, Bas and Menges, Achim and Knippers, Jan}, doi = {10.18419/darus-4358}, publisher = {DaRUS}, title = {Material Testing Data for Coreless Filament Winding Using Small-Scale, Star-Type Specimens}, unf = {UNF:6:i+7QKvYQfS2JkcEZo8B5mg==}, url = {https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-4358}, version = {V1}, year = 2024 }
7. Zechmeister, C., Dambrosio, N., Bodea, S., & Menges, A. (2024). Fiber Pattern Generation Tools for the Design of Long-Span, Core-Less Wound, Structural Composite Building Elements [DaRUS]. https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-4359
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  @dataset{darus-4359_2024, author = {Zechmeister, Christoph and Dambrosio, Niccolo and Bodea, Serban and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.18419/darus-4359}, publisher = {DaRUS}, title = {Fiber Pattern Generation Tools for the Design of Long-Span, Core-Less Wound, Structural Composite Building Elements}, url = {https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-4359}, version = {V1}, year = 2024 }
8. Schlopschnat, C., Rinderspacher, K., Zechmeister, C., Gil Pérez, M., Chen, T.-Y., Guo, Y., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2024). Planungs‐, Fertigungs‐ und Monitoring‐Methoden für die Anwendung neuartiger, tragender Bauteile aus Naturfasern für ressourceneffiziente, digital hergestellte Faserverbundbauweisen: Projekt livMatS Pavillon. Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt. https://www.dbu.de/projektdatenbank/37101-01/
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  BibTeX
  @techreport{schlopschnat2024planungs, author = {Schlopschnat, Christoph and Rinderspacher, Katja and Zechmeister, Christoph and Gil Pérez, Marta and Chen, Tzu-Ying and Guo, Yanan and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, institution = {Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt}, title = {Planungs‐, Fertigungs‐ und Monitoring‐Methoden für die Anwendung neuartiger, tragender Bauteile aus Naturfasern für ressourceneffiziente, digital hergestellte Faserverbundbauweisen: Projekt livMatS Pavillon}, url = {https://www.dbu.de/projektdatenbank/37101-01/}, year = 2024 }
9. Zechmeister, C., Pérez, M. G., Dambrosio, N., Rinderspacher, K., Dörstelmann, M., Stark, T., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2024). Co-Design of Natural Fiber Composite Building Elements: The LivMatS Pavilion. Fabricate 2024: Creating Resourceful Futures, 302–309. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.11374766.41
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  BibTeX
  @article{zechmeister2024httpsdoiorg102307jj1137476641, author = {Zechmeister, Christoph and Pérez, Marta Gil and Dambrosio, Niccolo and Rinderspacher, Katja and Dörstelmann, Moritz and Stark, Tim and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.11374766.41}, journal = {Fabricate 2024: Creating Resourceful Futures}, pages = {302–309}, title = {Co-Design of Natural Fiber Composite Building Elements: The LivMatS Pavilion}, year = 2024 }
2023
1. Zechmeister, C. (2023). Computational fiber architecture : co-design of large-scale, load-adapted fiber composite building components for robotic pre-fabrication (Dissertation No. 16, Institute for Computational Design and Construction, University of Stuttgart). https://doi.org/10.18419/opus-15439
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @phdthesis{zechmeister2023computational, address = {Stuttgart}, author = {Zechmeister, Christoph}, doi = {10.18419/opus-15439}, eventdate = {2024-02-29}, isbn = {978-3-9824862-5-3}, language = {eng}, number = 16, publisher = {Institute for Computational Design and Construction, University of Stuttgart}, school = {Universität Stuttgart}, series = {Research reports / Institute for Computational Design and Construction}, supervisor = {Menges, Achim}, supervisorgnd = {141908459}, title = {Computational fiber architecture : co-design of large-scale, load-adapted fiber composite building components for robotic pre-fabrication}, type = {Dissertation}, year = 2023 }
2. Zechmeister, C., Gil Pérez, M., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2023). Concurrent, computational design and modelling of structural, coreless-wound building components. Automation in construction, 151, Article July. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2023.104889
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  BibTeX
  @article{zechmeister2023concurrent, affiliation = {Zechmeister, C (Corresponding Author), Univ Stuttgart, Inst Computat Design & Construct ICD, Keplerstr 11, D-70174 Stuttgart, Germany. Zechmeister, C.; Menges, A., Univ Stuttgart, Inst Computat Design & Construct ICD, Keplerstr 11, D-70174 Stuttgart, Germany. Perez, M. Gil; Knippers, J., Univ Stuttgart, Inst Bldg Struct & Struct Design ITKE, Keplerstr 11, D-70174 Stuttgart, Germany. Zechmeister, C.; Perez, M. Gil; Knippers, J.; Menges, A., Univ Stuttgart, Cluster Excellence Integrat Computat Design & Cons, Keplerstr 11, D-70174 Stuttgart, Germany.}, author = {Zechmeister, Christoph and Gil Pérez, Marta and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.1016/j.autcon.2023.104889}, issn = {{0926-5805} and {1872-7891}}, journal = {Automation in construction}, language = {eng}, number = {July}, pages = 104889, publisher = {Elsevier}, research-areas = {Construction & Building Technology; Engineering}, title = {Concurrent, computational design and modelling of structural, coreless-wound building components}, unique-id = {WOS:000990783100001}, volume = 151, year = 2023 }
3. Zechmeister, C., Gil Pérez, M., Dambrosio, N., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2023). Extension of Computational Co-Design Methods for Modular, Prefabricated Composite Building Components Using Bio-Based Material Systems. Sustainability, 15, Article 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612189
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  @article{su151612189, abstract = {Robotic coreless filament winding using alternative material systems based on natural fibers and bio-based resin systems offers possible solutions to the productivity and sustainability challenges of the building and construction sector. Their application in modular, prefabricated structures allows for material-efficient and fast production under tightly controlled conditions leading to high-quality building parts with minimal production waste. Plant fibers made of flax or hemp have high stiffness and strength values and their production consumes less non-renewable energy than glass or carbon fibers. However, the introduction of natural material systems increases uncertainties in structural performance and fabrication parameters. The development process of coreless wound composite parts must thus be approached from the bottom up, treating the material system as an integral part of design and evaluation. Existing design and fabrication methods, as well as equipment, are adjusted to emphasize material aspects throughout the development, increasing the importance of material characterization and scalability evaluation. The reciprocity of material characterization and the fabrication process is highlighted and contributes to a non-linear, cyclical workflow. The implementation of extensions and adaptations are showcased in the development of the livMatS pavilion, a first attempt at coreless filament winding using natural material systems in architecture.}, article-number = {12189}, author = {Zechmeister, Christoph and Gil Pérez, Marta and Dambrosio, Niccolo and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.3390/su151612189}, issn = {2071-1050}, journal = {Sustainability}, number = 16, title = {Extension of Computational Co-Design Methods for Modular, Prefabricated Composite Building Components Using Bio-Based Material Systems}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/16/12189}, volume = 15, year = 2023 }
4. Gil Pérez, M., Mindermann, P., Zechmeister, C., Forster, D., Guo, Y., Hügle, S., Kannenberg, F., Balangé, L., Schwieger, V., Middendorf, P., Bischoff, M., Menges, A., Gresser, G. T., & Knippers, J. (2023). Data processing, analysis, and evaluation methods for co-design of coreless filament-wound building systems. Journal of Computational Design and Engineering, 10, Article 4. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcde/qwad064
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{GilPérezData2023, abstract = {{The linear design workflow for structural systems, involving a multitude of iterative loops and specialists, obstructs disruptive innovations. During design iterations, vast amounts of data in different reference systems, origins, and significance are generated. This data is often not directly comparable or is not collected at all, which implies a great unused potential for advancements in the process. In this paper, a novel workflow to process and analyse the data sets in a unified reference frame is proposed. From this, differently sophisticated iteration loops can be derived. The developed methods are presented within a case study using coreless filament winding as an exemplary fabrication process within an architectural context. This additive manufacturing process, using fiber-reinforced plastics, exhibits great potential for efficient structures when its intrinsic parameter variations can be minimized. The presented method aims to make data sets comparable by identifying the steps each data set needs to undergo (acquisition, pre-processing, mapping, post-processing, analysis, and evaluation). These processes are imperative to provide the means to find domain interrelations, which in the future can provide quantitative results that will help to inform the design process, making it more reliable, and allowing for the reduction of safety factors. The results of the case study demonstrate the data set processes, proving the necessity of these methods for the comprehensive inter-domain data comparison.}}, author = {Gil Pérez, Marta and Mindermann, Pascal and Zechmeister, Christoph and Forster, David and Guo, Yanan and Hügle, Sebastian and Kannenberg, Fabian and Balangé, Laura and Schwieger, Volker and Middendorf, Peter and Bischoff, Manfred and Menges, Achim and Gresser, Götz T and Knippers, Jan}, doi = {10.1093/jcde/qwad064}, eprint = {https://academic.oup.com/jcde/article-pdf/10/4/1460/50882055/qwad064.pdf}, issn = {2288-5048}, journal = {Journal of Computational Design and Engineering}, month = {06}, number = 4, pages = {1460-1478}, title = {{Data processing, analysis, and evaluation methods for co-design of coreless filament-wound building systems}}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/jcde/qwad064}, volume = 10, year = 2023 }
5. Schlopschnat, C., Gil Pérez, M., Zechmeister, C., Duque Estrada, R., Kannenberg, F., Rinderspacher, K., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2023). Co-Design of Fibrous Walls for Multi-Story Buildings. In Advances in Architectural Geometry 2023 (pp. 235–248). De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111162683-018
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @inbook{Schlopschnat_2023, author = {Schlopschnat, Christoph and Gil Pérez, Marta and Zechmeister, Christoph and Duque Estrada, Rebeca and Kannenberg, Fabian and Rinderspacher, Katja and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, booktitle = {Advances in Architectural Geometry 2023}, doi = {10.1515/9783111162683-018}, isbn = {9783111162683}, month = {09}, pages = {235–248}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, title = {Co-Design of Fibrous Walls for Multi-Story Buildings}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/9783111162683-018}, year = 2023 }
6. Gil Pérez, M., Zechmeister, C., Kannenberg, F., Mindermann, P., Balangé, L., Guo, Y., Hügle, S., Gienger, A., Forster, D., Bischoff, M., Tarín, C., Middendorf, P., Schwieger, V., Gresser, G. T., Menges, A., & Knippers, J. (2023). Object model data sets of the case study specimens for the computational co-design framework for coreless wound fibre-polymer composite structures [DaRUS]. https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-3375
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @dataset{darus-3375_2023, author = {Gil Pérez, Marta and Zechmeister, Christoph and Kannenberg, Fabian and Mindermann, Pascal and Balangé, Laura and Guo, Yanan and Hügle, Sebastian and Gienger, Andreas and Forster, David and Bischoff, Manfred and Tarín, Cristina and Middendorf, Peter and Schwieger, Volker and Gresser, Götz Theodor and Menges, Achim and Knippers, Jan}, doi = {10.18419/darus-3375}, publisher = {DaRUS}, title = {Object model data sets of the case study specimens for the computational co-design framework for coreless wound fibre-polymer composite structures}, url = {https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-3375}, version = {V1}, year = 2023 }
7. Gil Pérez, M., Mindermann, P., Zechmeister, C., Forster, D., Guo, Y., Hügle, S., Kannenberg, F., Balangé, L., Schwieger, V., Middendorf, P., Bischoff, M., Menges, A., Gresser, G. T., & Knippers, J. (2023). Post-processed and normalized data sets for the data processing, analysis, and evaluation methods for co-design of coreless filament-wound structures [DaRUS]. https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-3449
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @dataset{darus-3449_2023, author = {Gil Pérez, Marta and Mindermann, Pascal and Zechmeister, Christoph and Forster, David and Guo, Yanan and Hügle, Sebastian and Kannenberg, Fabian and Balangé, Laura and Schwieger, Volker and Middendorf, Peter and Bischoff, Manfred and Menges, Achim and Gresser, Götz Theodor and Knippers, Jan}, doi = {10.18419/darus-3449}, publisher = {DaRUS}, title = {Post-processed and normalized data sets for the data processing, analysis, and evaluation methods for co-design of coreless filament-wound structures}, unf = {UNF:6:3jBvTQjaf+dWmcUwcF1GkA==}, url = {https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-3449}, version = {V1}, year = 2023 }
2022
1. Gil Pérez, M., Zechmeister, C., Menges, A., & Knippers, J. (2022). Coreless filament-wound structures: toward performative long-span and sustainable building systems. In S.-d. Xue, J.-z. Wu, & G.-j. Sun (Eds.), Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia 2022: Innovation, Sustainability and Legacy (Vol. 2022, pp. 3366–3376). International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS).
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @inproceedings{IASS2022gilperez, abstract = {Coreless filament winding (CFW) was developed in 2012 at the University of Stuttgart to reduce material waste during the fabrication of composite parts. This was achieved by diminishing the required formwork of state-of-the-art filament winding to discrete boundary frames. Then, impregnated fibers are wound between them, forming lightweight lattice structures. A series of pavilions at the University demonstrated the system's potential and enabled the transfer of CFW into practice, bringing along other engineering challenges, such as the requirement to prove structural integrity and safety. The BUGA Fibre Pavilion was the first long-span application using CFW. In this project, a series of full-scale structural tests successfully proved the structural capacity of the composite components. Maison Fibre expanded the research toward multi-story building systems and explored the combination of CFW components with timber plates as hybrid slabs. To improve the sustainability aspects of the system, the LivMatS Pavilion replaced the previously used carbon and glass fibers with natural fibers. This pavilion achieved different materiality, showing the potential of bio-composite filament wound structures. This paper describes and compares the design and engineering process in each system: long-span, hybrid slab, and natural fiber components, and reveals the potential and future research goals to achieve more sustainable building systems using CFW structures.}, author = {Gil Pérez, Marta and Zechmeister, Christoph and Menges, Achim and Knippers, Jan}, booktitle = {Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia 2022: Innovation, Sustainability and Legacy}, editor = {Xue, Su-duo and Wu, Jin-zhi and Sun, Guo-jun}, eventdate = {September 19-22 2022}, eventtitle = {IASS/APCS 2022 Innovation, Sustainability and Legacy}, month = {09}, pages = {3366-3376}, publisher = {International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS)}, title = {Coreless filament-wound structures: toward performative long-span and sustainable building systems}, venue = {Beijing, China}, volume = 2022, year = 2022 }
2. Menges, A., Kannenberg, F., & Zechmeister, C. (2022). Computational co-design of fibrous architecture. Architectural Intelligence, 1, Article 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44223-022-00004-x
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{Menges2022CoDesignFiber, abstract = {Fibrous architecture constitutes an alternative approach to conventional building systems and established construction methods. It shows the potential to converge architectural concerns such as spatial expression and structural elegance, with urgently required resource effectiveness and material efficiency, in a genuinely computational approach. Fundamental characteristics of fibre composite are shared with fibre structures in the natural world, enabling the transfer of design principles and providing a vast repertoire of inspiration. Robotic fabrication based on coreless filament winding, a technique to deposit resin impregnated fibre filaments with only minimal formwork, as well as integrative computational design methods are imperative to the development of complex fibrous building systems. Two projects, the BUGA Fibre Pavilion as an example for long-span structures, and Maison Fibre as an example of multi-storey architecture, showcase the application of those techniques in an architectural context and highlight areas of further research opportunities. The highly interrelated aesthetic, structural and fabrication characteristics of fibre nets are difficult to understand and go beyond a designer’s comprehension and intuition. An AI powered, self-learning agent system aims to extend and thoroughly explore the design space of fibre structures to unlock the full design potential coreless filament winding offers. In order to ensure feedback between all relevant design and performance criteria and enable interdisciplinary convergence, these novel design methods are embedded in a larger co-design framework. It formalizes the interaction of involved interdisciplinary domains and allows for interactive collaboration based on a central data model, serving as a base for design optimisation and exploration. To further advance research on fibre composites in architecture, bio-based materials are considered, continuing the journey of discovery of fibrous architecture to fundamentally rethinking design and construction towards a novel, computational material culture in architecture.}, author = {Menges, Achim and Kannenberg, Fabian and Zechmeister, Christoph}, doi = {10.1007/s44223-022-00004-x}, issn = {27316726}, journal = {Architectural Intelligence}, number = 6, refid = {Menges2022}, title = {Computational co-design of fibrous architecture}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s44223-022-00004-x}, volume = 1, year = 2022 }
3. Gil Pérez, M., Zechmeister, C., Kannenberg, F., Mindermann, P., Balangé, L., Guo, Y., Hügle, S., Gienger, A., Forster, D., Bischoff, M., Tarín, C., Middendorf, P., Schwieger, V., Gresser, G. T., Menges, A., & Knippers, J. (2022). Computational co-design framework for coreless wound fibre-polymer composite structures. Journal of Computational Design and Engineering, 9, Article 2. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcde/qwab081
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{Gil_Perez_2022, abstract = {In coreless filament winding, resin-impregnated fibre filaments are wound around anchor points without an additional mould. The final geometry of the produced part results from the interaction of fibres in space and is initially undetermined. Therefore, the success of large-scale coreless wound fibre composite structures for architectural applications relies on the reciprocal collaboration of simulation, fabrication, quality evaluation, and data integration domains. The correlation of data from those domains enables the optimization of the design towards ideal performance and material efficiency. This paper elaborates on a computational co-design framework to enable new modes of collaboration for coreless wound fibre–polymer composite structures. It introduces the use of a shared object model acting as a central data repository that facilitates interdisciplinary data exchange and the investigation of correlations between domains. The application of the developed computational co-design framework is demonstrated in a case study in which the data are successfully mapped, linked, and analysed across the different fields of expertise. The results showcase the framework’s potential to gain a deeper understanding of large-scale coreless wound filament structures and their fabrication and geometrical implications for design optimization.}, author = {Gil Pérez, M and Zechmeister, C and Kannenberg, F and Mindermann, P and Balangé, L and Guo, Y and Hügle, S and Gienger, A and Forster, D and Bischoff, M and Tarín, C and Middendorf, P and Schwieger, V and Gresser, G T and Menges, A and Knippers, J}, doi = {10.1093/jcde/qwab081}, journal = {Journal of Computational Design and Engineering}, month = {04}, number = 2, pages = {310--329}, publisher = {Oxford University Press ({OUP})}, title = {Computational co-design framework for coreless wound fibre-polymer composite structures}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fjcde%2Fqwab081}, volume = 9, year = 2022 }
2021
1. Dambrosio, N., Zechmeister, N., Duque Estrada, R., Kannenberg, F., Gil Pérez, M., Schlopschnat, C., Rinderspacher, K., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2021). Design and development of an FRP-Timber hybrid building system for multi-story applications in architecture: Maison Fibre. In B. Farahi, B. Bogosian, J. Scott, J. L. García del Castillo y López, K. Dörfler, J. A. Grant, S. Parascho, & V. A. A. Noel (Eds.), Realignments: Toward Critical Computation - ACADIA 2021.
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @inproceedings{dambrosio2021design, abstract = {This research demonstrates the development of a hybrid FRP-timber wall and slab system for multi-story structures. Bespoke computational tools and robotic fabrication processes allow for adaptive placement of material according to specific local requirements of the structure thus representing a resource-efficient alternative to established modes of construction. This constitutes a departure from pre-digital, material-intensive building methods, based on isotropic materials towards genuinely digital building systems using lightweight, hybrid composite elements. Design and fabrication methods build upon previous research on lightweight fiber structures conducted at the University of Stuttgart and expand it towards inhabitable, multi-story building systems. Interdisciplinary design collaboration based on reciprocal computational feedback allows for the concurrent consideration of architectural, structural, fabrication and material constraints. The robotic coreless filament winding process only uses minimal, modular formwork and allows for the efficient production of morphologically differentiated building components. The research results were demonstrated through Maison Fibre, developed for the 17th Architecture Biennale in Venice. Situated at the Venice Arsenale, the installation is composed of 30 plate like elements and depicts a modular, further extensible scheme. While this first implementation of a hybrid multi-story building system relies on established glass and carbon fiber composites, the methods can be extended towards a wider range of materials ranging from ultra-high-performance mineral fiber systems to renewable natural fibers.}, author = {Dambrosio, Niccolo and Zechmeister, Niccolo and Duque Estrada, Rebeca and Kannenberg, Fabian and Gil Pérez, Marta and Schlopschnat, Christoph and Rinderspacher, Katja and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, booktitle = {Realignments: Toward Critical Computation - ACADIA 2021}, editor = {Farahi, Behnaz and Bogosian, Biayna and Scott, Jane and García del Castillo y López, Jose Luis and Dörfler, Kathrin and Grant, June A. and Parascho, Stefana and Noel, Vernelle A. A.}, eventdate = {November 3rd - 6th}, eventtitle = {Realignments: Toward Critical Computation}, title = {Design and development of an FRP-Timber hybrid building system for multi-story applications in architecture: Maison Fibre}, venue = {online}, year = 2021 }
2. Dambrosio, N., Zechmeister, C., Duque Estrada, R., Kannenberg, F., Gil Peréz, M., Schlopschnat, C., Rinderspacher, K., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2021). Design and development of an FRP-Timber hybrid building system for multi-story applications in architecture: Maison Fibre.
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @proceedings{dambrosio2021design, author = {Dambrosio, Niccolo and Zechmeister, Christoph and Duque Estrada, Rebeca and Kannenberg, Fabian and Gil Peréz, Marta and Schlopschnat, Christoph and Rinderspacher, Katja and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, eventtitle = {ACADIA 2021 - Realignments: Toward Critical Computation. Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture}, title = {Design and development of an FRP-Timber hybrid building system for multi-story applications in architecture: Maison Fibre}, year = 2021 }
3. Bodea, S., Zechmeister, C., Dambrosio, N., Dörstelmann, M., & Menges, A. (2021). Robotic coreless filament winding for hyperboloid tubular composite components in construction. Automation in Construction, 126, 103649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103649
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{Bodea_2021, abstract = {Novel fabrication methods are necessary to capitalize on the high strength-to-weight ratio of composites engineered for construction applications. This paper presents prefabrication strategies for geometrically-complex building elements wound out of Glass and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (G/CFRP). The research focuses on Robotic Coreless Filament Winding (RCFW), a technology that eliminates formwork, proposing upscaling and industrialization strategies combined with updated robot programming and control methods. Our application addresses the prefabrication of hyperboloid, tubular components with differentiated geometry and fiber layout. We examine how the proposed methods enabled the industrial prefabrication of a building-scale G/CFRP dome structure and discuss the industrial process relative to key fabrication parameters. Highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the research, we envisage future directions and applications for RCFW in construction. Overall, we find that synergy between academia and industry is essential to meeting research, productivity, and certification goals in the rather conservative building industry.}, author = {Bodea, Serban and Zechmeister, Christoph and Dambrosio, Niccolo and Dörstelmann, Moritz and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103649}, editor = {Skibniewski, Miroslaw J.}, issn = {0926-5805}, journal = {Automation in Construction}, month = {06}, pages = 103649, publisher = {Elsevier {BV}}, title = {Robotic coreless filament winding for hyperboloid tubular composite components in construction}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.autcon.2021.103649}, volume = 126, year = 2021 }
4. Karaman, R., Dong, Z., Drachenberg, K., Rinderspacher, K., Zechmeister, C., Oguz, O., & Menges, A. (2021). Augmenting Design: Solving design problems using generative deep learning frameworks with multiple objectives. In B. Farahi, B. Bogosian, J. Scott, J. L. García del Castillo y López, K. Dörfler, J. A. Grant, S. Parascho, & V. A. A. Noel (Eds.), Realignments: Toward Critical Computation - ACADIA 2021.
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @inproceedings{noauthororeditor2021augmenting, abstract = {In recent years, generative machine learning methods such as variational autoencoders (VAEs) and generative adversarial networks (GANs) have opened up new avenues of exploration for architects and designers. The presented work explores how these methods can be expanded by incorporating multiple abstract criteria directly into the formulation of the algorithm that negotiates these complex criteria and proposes a fitting design. It draws inspiration from the works of several design theorists who have developed such goal-oriented approaches to design, and sets up multiple-objective VAE and GAN frameworks with this idea in mind. The research demonstrates that by incorporating multiple constraints using auxiliary discriminator networks, the developed algorithms are able to generate innovative solutions to two example problems: the design of 2D digits, and the design of 3D voxel chairs. By speculating and examining the role of the designer in data based generative computational design workflows, the research aims to provide an approach for solving design tasks in the age of big data.}, author = {Karaman, Ridvan and Dong, Zhetao and Drachenberg, Kurt and Rinderspacher, Katja and Zechmeister, Christoph and Oguz, Ozgur and Menges, Achim}, booktitle = {Realignments: Toward Critical Computation - ACADIA 2021}, editor = {Farahi, Behnaz and Bogosian, Biayna and Scott, Jane and García del Castillo y López, Jose Luis and Dörfler, Kathrin and Grant, June A. and Parascho, Stefana and Noel, Vernelle A. A.}, eventdate = {November 3rd - 6th}, eventtitle = {Realignments: Toward Critical Computation}, title = {Augmenting Design: Solving design problems using generative deep learning frameworks with multiple objectives}, venue = {online}, year = 2021 }
2020
1. Zechmeister, C., Bodea, S., Dambrosio, N., & Menges, A. (2020). Design for Long-Span Core-Less Wound, Structural Composite Building Elements. In C. Gengnagel, O. Baverel, & J. Burry (Eds.), Impact: Design With All Senses (pp. 401–415). Springer International Publishing.
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @inproceedings{Zechmeister.2020, abstract = {The aim of this research is to showcase processes and methodologies for the design and development of long-span, core-less wound structural building elements for architectural applications. Departing from established, iterative design methods and a linear digital toolchain, integrative design strategies incorporate parameters like material and fabrication constraints, structural performance and architectural design from the very beginning, establishing feedback loops. This approach seems particularly promising with the architectural application of high performance, long-span fibre components in mind, given their vast range of different and often antagonistic requirements. Building upon previous research in the realm of fibre composites conducted at the Institute for Computational Design (ICD), novel strategies and methods for the design and development of long-span fibre composite components are discussed, based on the 2019 BUGA fibre pavilion, a full scale glass and carbon fibre structure developed for the Bundesgartenschau - a garden fair in Heilbronn, Germany.}, address = {Cham}, author = {Zechmeister, Christoph and Bodea, Serban and Dambrosio, Niccolo and Menges, Achim}, booktitle = {Impact: Design With All Senses}, editor = {Gengnagel, Christoph and Baverel, Olivier and Burry, Jane}, file = {33d58cca-d903-46b4-b579-5420b90a39ad:C\:\\Users\\ac131915\\AppData\\Local\\Swiss Academic Software\\Citavi 6\\ProjectCache\\amdi0te5hfdbkvr37r7ubdq1puiv7nkms1el1ieio\\Citavi Attachments\\33d58cca-d903-46b4-b579-5420b90a39ad.pdf:pdf}, isbn = {978-3-030-29829-6}, pages = {401--415}, publisher = {{Springer International Publishing}}, title = {Design for Long-Span Core-Less Wound, Structural Composite Building Elements}, year = 2020 }
2. Menges, A., Knippers, J., Wagner, H. J., & Zechmeister, C. (2020). Pilotprojekte Für Ein Integratives Computerbasiertes Planen Und Bauen. In M. Bischoff, M. von Scheven, & B. Oesterle (Eds.), Baustatik - Baupraxis 14: Institut für Baustatik und Baudynamik (pp. 67–79). University of Stuttgart.
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @incollection{bischoff_pilotprojekte_2020, address = {Stuttgart}, author = {Menges, Achim and Knippers, Jan and Wagner, Hans Jakob and Zechmeister, Christoph}, booktitle = {Baustatik - {Baupraxis} 14: {Institut} für {Baustatik} und {Baudynamik}}, editor = {Bischoff, Manfred and von Scheven, Malte and Oesterle, Bastian}, isbn = {9783000646393}, pages = {67--79}, publisher = {University of Stuttgart}, title = {Pilotprojekte {Für} {Ein} {Integratives} {Computerbasiertes} {Planen} {Und} {Bauen}}, year = 2020 }
3. Bodea, S., Dambrosio, N., Zechmeister, C., Gil-Perez, M., Koslowski, V., Rongen, B., Doerstelmann, M., Kyjanek, O., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2020). BUGA Fibre Pavilion: Towards Robotically-Fabricated Composite Building Structures. Fabricate 2020: Making Resilient Architecture, 234–243.
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  @article{bodea_buga_2020, author = {Bodea, Serban and Dambrosio, Niccolo and Zechmeister, Christoph and Gil-Perez, Marta and Koslowski, Valentin and Rongen, Bas and Doerstelmann, Moritz and Kyjanek, Ondrej and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, isbn = {9781787358119}, journal = {Fabricate 2020: Making Resilient Architecture}, pages = {234--243}, title = {{BUGA} {Fibre} {Pavilion}: {Towards} {Robotically}-{Fabricated} {Composite} {Building} {Structures}}, year = 2020 }
4. Menges, A., Knippers, J., Wagner, H. J., & Zechmeister, C. (2020). Pilotprojekte für ein Integratives Computerbasiertes Planen und Bauen. In M. Bischoff, M. von Scheven, & B. Oesterle (Eds.), Baustatik – Baupraxis 14 (pp. 67–79). Institut für Baustatik und Baudynamik, Universität Stuttgart. http://dx.doi.org/10.18419/opus-10762
  - BibTeX
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  @incollection{Menges2020, abstract = {Ziel des Exzellenzclusters „IntCDC - Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture“ an der Universit{\"{a}}t Stuttgart ist es, die methodischen Grundlagen f{\"{u}}r eine umfassende Modernisierung des Bauschaffens zu legen. Ein Schwerpunkt ist die Entwicklung einer {\"{u}}bergeordneten Methodologie des „Co-Design“ von Planungsmethoden, Bauprozessen und Bausystemen, um eine Grundlage f{\"{u}}r integrative, interdisziplin{\"{a}}re L{\"{o}}sungsans{\"{a}}tze zu schaffen. Dies wird anhand von ersten realisierten Pilotprojekten aufgezeigt.}, address = {Stuttgart}, author = {Menges, Achim and Knippers, Jan and Wagner, Hans Jakob and Zechmeister, Christoph}, booktitle = {Baustatik – Baupraxis 14}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.18419/opus-10762}, editor = {Bischoff, Manfred and von Scheven, Malte and Oesterle, Bastian}, file = {:C\:/Users/ac128044/Google Drive/ICD_Wagner/01_Publikationen/1905_BUGA_WOOD/1912_BUGA_Bauplanung_Baupraxis/BB14_Menges_et_al.pdf:pdf}, isbn = {978-3-00-064639-3}, pages = {67--79}, publisher = {Institut f{\"{u}}r Baustatik und Baudynamik, Universit{\"{a}}t Stuttgart}, title = {{Pilotprojekte f{\"{u}}r ein Integratives Computerbasiertes Planen und Bauen}}, url = {https://elib.uni-stuttgart.de/handle/11682/10779}, year = 2020 }
2019
1. Zechmeister, C., Bodea, S., Dambrosio, N., & Menges, A. (2019). Design for Long-Span Core-Less Wound, Structural Composite Building Elements. Impact: Design with All Senses Proceedings of the Design Modelling Symposium 2019, 401–415. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29829-6 32
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{zechmeister_design_2019, author = {Zechmeister, Christoph and Bodea, Serban and Dambrosio, Niccolo and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-29829-6 32}, journal = {Impact: Design With All Senses [Proceedings of the Design Modelling Symposium 2019]}, pages = {401--415}, title = {Design for {Long}-{Span} {Core}-{Less} {Wound}, {Structural} {Composite} {Building} {Elements}}, year = 2019 }
2. Dambrosio, N., Zechmeister, C., Bodea, S., Koslowski, V., Gil-Perez, M., Rongen, B., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2019). Towards an architectural application of novel fiber composite building systems – The BUGA Fibre Pavilion. In K. Bieg, D. Briscoe, & C. Odom (Eds.), ACADIA – Ubiquity and Autonomy - Proceedings of the 39th ACADIA Conference 2019.
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @inproceedings{dambrosio_towards_2019, author = {Dambrosio, Niccolo and Zechmeister, Christophe and Bodea, Serban and Koslowski, Valentin and Gil-Perez, Marta and Rongen, Bas and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, booktitle = {ACADIA – Ubiquity and Autonomy - Proceedings of the 39th ACADIA Conference 2019}, editor = {Bieg, Kory and Briscoe, Danelle and Odom, Clay}, isbn = {978-0-578-59179-7}, title = {Towards an architectural application of novel fiber composite building systems – {The} {BUGA} {Fibre} {Pavilion}}, year = 2019 }

Christoph Zechmeister is an Austrian architect, researcher, and computational designer. His work focuses on developing methods and processes for designing and fabricating large-scale fiber composite structures, utilizing diverse material systems from carbon and glass fibers, to pioneering explorations into natural fibers and bio-resins. Christoph earned his Master of Science in Architecture with honors from Vienna University of Technology, and he holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture and Information from ETH Zürich. In February 2024, he completed his PhD with distinction at the University of Stuttgart, with his dissertation titled “Computational Fiber Architecture: Co-Design of Large-Scale, Load-Adapted Fiber Composite Building Components for Robotic Pre-Fabrication.”

Professionally, Christoph has worked as an architect and designer in several renowned architectural offices, including Baumschlager Eberle in Zürich, Switzerland, and UNStudio in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

At the Institute for Computational Design (ICD) at the University of Stuttgart, he works under the leadership of Prof. Achim Menges, collaborating with interdisciplinary researchers in the Cluster of Excellence Integrative Design and Construction for Architecture (IntCDC). Christoph leads the Computational Fiber Architecture Research Group at ICD, which focuses on developing and implementing methods for designing and fabricating large-scale fibrous building systems.

Projects

Hybrid Flax Pavilion, Wangen im Allgäu, DE
2024 - The Hybrid Flax Pavilion is a permanent exhibition building combining cross-laminated timber with robotically wound flax fibre bodies, minimising material use through the synergy of regional, renewable resources.
Fibrous Tectonics, Rome, IT
2022 - The Fibrous Tectonics installation presents a hybrid slab structure of robotically wound flax fibres combined with wooden panels, extending the Maison Fibre research toward bio-based building systems that unite material efficiency, ecological responsibility, and architectural expression.
livMatS Pavilion, Freiburg, DE
2021 - The livMatS Pavilion is the first load-bearing building structure made of robotically wound flax fibre, demonstrating how bioinspired co-design and coreless filament winding can unite ecological sustainability with distinctive architectural expression.
Maison Fibre - Venice Biennale, Venice, IT
2021 - Maison Fibre is a multi-story inhabitable structure made entirely of robotically wound fibre composite floor slabs and walls, referencing Le Corbusier's Maison Dom-Ino, to propose a novel material culture of dematerialisation in architecture.
Texoversum, Reutlingen, DE
2020 - Design of a self-supporting carbon and glass fibre façade with individually tuned elements responding to solar orientation.
BUGA Fiber Pavilion, Heilbronn, DE
2019 - The BUGA Fibre Pavilion demonstrates a novel, fibre composite building system, in which 60 robotically wound glass- and carbon-fibre components form a lightweight load-bearing structure spanning over 23 meters.

Research

Natural fiber composite multi-span slab systems for adaptive reuse and sustainable renovation (FAME)
2026 - 2027: The project develops lightweight, hybrid multi-span floor systems made from bio-based fiber composites and plate materials to enable flexible, reversible, and materially efficient upgrades of existing building structures using robotic additive fabrication.
Further development, evaluation, and monitoring of fiber/timber hybrid building systems
2024 - 2025: The project builds on existing research to further develop innovative construction systems that incorporate natural fibers to reinforce timber components, promoting resource conservation and sustainability in construction.
Extension of a cyber-physical prefabrication platform for reliable production of large-scale fiber composite building elements using conventional and alternative material systems (RP14-2)
2022 - 2025: Extension of a previously developed prefabrication platform for fiber composites through robot teams and autonomous mobile robots, methods for automated path planning, development of monitoring and path compensation methods, and adaptation to alternative material systems.
Hybrid Wood-Natural Fibre Composite Building System
2022 - 2023: Development of a construction system that incorporates natural fibers to reinforce wood components, promoting resource conservation and sustainability in construction.
Material Culture - Maison Fibre
2020 - 2021: Development of a modular, composite wall- and slab multi-story building system.
Additive cyber-physical prefabrication platform for multifunctional, multi-scale, load-adapted fiber composite building elements (RP14)
2019 - 2022: Conceptualization and development of a cyber-physical prefabrication system for the fabrication of multifunctional, multi-scale load-adapted fiber composite building elements.
LeichtbauBW Innovation Challenge
2019 - 2020: Development of explorative design tools for fiber composite structures.

Teaching

Lectures

Teaching & Mentoring

Stereotomic Fiber Architecture
2022 - Workshop, Politecnico di Bari, Italy
ITECH Fabrication Seminar
Fall/Winter 2019/20 - Performative Morphology
ITECH Design Studio
Fall/Winter 2018/19 - Performative Morphology
ITECH Architectural Biomimetics
Fall/Winter 2018/19
ITECH Master Thesis Adviser
2021 - 2022: Slack Pack - Frameless Fiber Winding of Deployable Spatial Structures
ITECH Master Thesis Adviser
2020 - 2021: Assembly-aware robotic fabrication setup for composite timber systems
ITECH Master Thesis Adviser
2019 - 2020: Augmented Architecture - Enhancing the Architectural Design Process with Multi-Objective GAN

Awards

German Design Award
2025 - Hybrid Flax Pavilion

IntCDC Best Publication Award
2024 - For the paper: “Toward reciprocal feedback between computational design, engineering, and fabrication to codesign coreless filament-wound structures“, Journal of Computational Design and Engineering

DigitalFUTURES Project Award
2024 - Hybrid Flax Pavilion

Iconic Awards (Innovative Architecture, Public/Culture/Education)
2024 - Hybrid Flax Pavilion

Iconic Awards (Innovative Material)
2024 - Hybrid Flax Pavilion

Architectural Intelligence, Best Paper Award
2023 - For the paper: “Computational co-design of fibrous architecture”, Architectural Intelligence

DigitalFUTURES Project Award
2023 - LivMatS Pavilion

German Design Award
2023 - Maison Fibre

Materialpreis
2023 - Fibrous Tectonics

BIG SEE Architecture Award
2023 - LivMatS Pavilion

IntCDC Best Publication Award
2022 - For the paper: “Computational co-design framework for coreless wound fibre-polymer composite structures”, Journal of Computational Design and Engineering

Iconic Awards (Innovative Architecture, Special)
2022 - LivMatS Pavilion

Iconic Awards (Innovative Material)
2022 - LivMatS Pavilion

Green Concept Award (Best of Architecture & Tiny Houses)
2022 - LivMatS Pavilion

Iconic Awards (Innovative Architecture, Event/Exhibition)
2022 - Maison Fibre

DigitalFUTURES Project Award
2022 - Maison Fibre

Materialpreis
2021 - livMatS Pavilion

German Light Design Prize
2021 - BUGA Fibre Pavilion

DETAIL Prize (Students & Schools of Architecture)
2020 - BUGA Fibre Pavilion

German Design Award
2020 - BUGA Fibre Pavilion

Iconic Awards (Innovative Architecture)
2019 - BUGA Fibre Pavilion

Beyond Bauhaus Award
2019 - BUGA Fibre Pavilion

Christoph Zechmeister

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