Digitizing and Automating Architectural Modeling and Construction

Hakim Hasan and Nicholas Cameron of Perkins + Will share the development of a mobile robot that can help designers and architects build and make scale models

CNC milling? Hot wire cutting? Laser cutting? Photogrammetry? Assembly? The Mobile Robotic Assistant for Architectural Design (MRAAD), affectionately known as “Armando,” can do many things. A mobile articulated robotic arm that can use an array of tools to perform construction tasks and fabricate scale models, it was developed by Perkins + Will as part of a residency at the Autodesk Technology Center in Boston. With an interface that’s easy to understand and use, it enables architects and designers to bring their ideas to life without needing to understand robots or learn the technical details of programming. Nicholas Cameron and Hakim Hasan of Perkins + Will share the work.

About the speakers

Hakim Hasan is an architect, roboticist, and researcher with Perkins + Will. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Kennesaw State University – Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology and a master’s degree in Digital Fabrication & Robotics from ETH Zurich.

Nicholas Cameron is director of digital practice at Perkins + Will, where he advances tools, workflows, and technologies that enable design teams to work more effectively. Previously, he was a lead at CannonDesign, where he oversaw development of collaborative design practices involving dispersed teams around the globe. He holds a degree in architecture from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

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