The construction industry produces 50% of global CO2 emissions. Moreover, the global building market is expected to double by 2060, which risks bringing us to a point of no return. Only in Switzerland, 84% of waste comes from the construction industry, meaning every second, more than 500 kg of construction waste is generated throughout all cantons (Abriss-Atlas). Demolishing and rebuilding causes large amounts of unnecessary CO2 equivalent emissions and waste from the energy-intensive demolition process and the avoidable use of freshly manufactured construction materials (Circularity Gap Report 2023). Furthermore, 20% of the Switzerland`s total waste is generated from the demolition of buildings and infrastructure (FOEN).

This project`s motivation is to explore the potential of innovative on-site fabrication techniques in construction robotics and automated systems for the upgrade (for reuse) of existing building structures to reduce demolitions.
The goal of the project in the short run is to realize the planned demonstrator, using the adaptive thin-layer plaster printing technology of LAYERED.

The project aims to:
– Increase reuse of existing building structures to reduce demolitions and new constructions (save CO2-eq emissions).
– Help reducing new raw material extraction.
– Reduce construction waste.