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Every project supported by Gebert Rüf Stiftung is made accessible with a web presentation that informs about the core data of the project. With this public presentation, the foundation publishes the funding results achieved and contributes to the communication of science to society.

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Impact Build – Industrialized Robotic Manufacturing for Circular Construction

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Project data

  • Project no: GRS-057/25 
  • Amount of funding: CHF 150'000 
  • Approved: 22.10.2025 
  • Duration: 03.2026 - 03.2027 
  • Area of activity:  InnoBooster, seit 2018

Project management

Project description

The building industry accounts for 37% of GHG emissions and faces a severe labor shortage. Our patent- pending robotic additive manufacturing method produces low-carbon, low-cost, circular components. Our custom hardware deposits dense material at >10 m/s, achieving isotropic bonding and vertical build-up without any chemical accelerators—unlike extrusion-based 3D printing. We aim to first enter the 147B prefabrication market with detail-compatible wall and façade panels that are low-carbon, fire-resistant, recyclable, acoustically insulating, and thermally robust, at competitive costs—3 cheaper than rammed earth and at parity with masonry. We will deliver pilot projects, validate unit economics (>50% profit margin expected), upgrade our hardware for higher throughput, and conduct structural, acoustic, durability, and fire testing. By proving technical and economic viability, Impact Build will de-risk the adoption of low-carbon, circular building products and prepare to scale rapidly.

Status/Results

The project will focus on de-risking both the technical performance and economic feasibility of robotic manufacturing using circular materials. Key planned steps include the execution of pilot construction projects with architectural and development partners, testing of wall and façade systems, and the validation of production throughput.
During the project, Impact Build aims to establish performance data for its building components, demonstrate competitive unit economics, and define a scalable manufacturing concept based on a modular, deployable factory cell. The project closes the gap between experimental robotic construction methods and industrially viable manufacturing solutions.
The work builds on previous publicly funded research and is closely linked to the further development of the Impact Build start-up. Partnerships with architects, developers, and material suppliers are being strengthened, and follow-on funding through innovation grants and private investment is planned to support commercialization and scale-up.

Links

Persons involved in the project

Dr. Lauren Vasey, Project Lead, Co-Founder, Robotic Construction, Sustainable Construction, Computational Methods, Architecture and Digital Fabrication
Dr. Kunaljit Chadha, Co-Founder, Robotics & Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing, Rapid Prototyping

Last update to this project presentation  11.02.2026