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Capitalizing on Uncertainty: Structures, Processes, Mindsets
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:02
Abstract
SUMMER SCHOOL - Capitalizing on Uncertainty is a 6-day Summer school exploring uncertainty as a productive resource in design and fabrication through lectures, hands-on experiments, and the collaborative design and construction of a full-scale structure in a human-robot fabrication setting. The summer school takes place from August 31 to September 5.
Objective
Over six days, teams will design and build a 1:1 timber pavilion from irregular material stock, engaging directly with material variability, adaptive decision-making, and collaborative processes. By combining human–robot interaction, interdisciplinary insights, and experimental making, the summer school offers a unique setting to engage with uncertainty across cognitive, material, and social domains.
Content
Uncertainty is a defining condition across disciplines—from psychology and robotics to architecture and structural engineering. While often treated as a risk to be minimized, this summer school argues that uncertainty can instead be a productive force: one that fuels creativity, resilience, and innovation. Bringing together perspectives from architecture, robotics, and work psychology, the program explores how uncertainty influences design thinking, fabrication processes, and collaborative work.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar |
Capitalizing on Uncertainty; Structures, Processes, Mindsets
Summer School (August 31 - September 5, 2026) at Structural Engineering Platform of EPFL
Co-lecturer at EPFL is Assistant professor Stefana Parascho
Schedule:
DAY 1: CONCEPTUAL FRAMING
DAY 2: MODEL UNCERTAINTY
DAY 3: MATERIAL UNCERTAINTY
DAY 4: DESIGN (WITH) UNCERTAINTY
DAY 5: SOCIAL UNCERTAINTY
DAY 6: EVALUATION & REFLECTION
Keywords:
timber, human-robot collaboration, projection interface, material variability, adaptive fabrication
Resources:
Moodle Link
|
No time listed | 60 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Electives (The entire course programs of ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich are open to the students to individual selection.)
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Doctorate Architecture (More Information at: )
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Doctorate Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (More Information at: )
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Subject Specialisation (In addition to the courses listed below, D-BAUG doctoral students are free to choose from the entire range of subject-specific courses offered by ETHZ and the University of Zurich, provided that it is an offering specifically designed for doctoral students or a course of the regular Master’s program or of the third year Bachelor’s program.)
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