The challenges of the national COVID lockdown have affected all aspects of academic and everyday life across Switzerland and the world. Despite our focus on the digitisation of construction, most research within the NCCR Digital Fabrication is intrinsically physical, requiring strong interdisciplinary and interpersonal collaborations. Researchers of the NCCR Digital Fabrication have been working remotely since mid-March, and are now planning a slow and well-coordinated resumption of on-site, in-person experimentation work that follows all guidelines for safety and physical distancing.
As we now move forward, our academic context and the way that the world operates has changed. Potential for a new paradigm of work is emerging; one where digital tools and remote collaborations are vital parts of the workplace, but also where social and economic stabilities can be steadied against unforeseen impacts. Through our innovations in science, technology and creativity, we are confident that NCCR Digital Fabrication research, and its researchers, will contribute strongly to support the development of architecture and society as we emerge into the “new normal”.
At this time, we thank all our researchers, staff, and partners for their support and hard work in keeping the NCCR‘s network strong, and we extend our wish that all of our members and friends remain healthy and safe.
NCCR operations online
Shortly into the academic lockdown the NCCR Digital Fabrication successfully transitioned to being a fully online network. NCCR actions and resources including meetings, lectures and presentations are now continuing as scheduled online. As we increasingly understand the “new normal”, additional activities and longer-term programmes are now being initialised.
With unique expertise, facilities and equipment, teams from the NCCR and our hosting institutes are contributing in diverse and important ways to stop the pandemic. Read about how one researcher is using his expertise to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to key workers.
The SNSF annual report has highlighted the Funicular Floor project of the Block Research Group and Digital Building Technologies as a flagship for sustainability, and with a carbon footprint six times lower than a standard floor it's easy to see why.
The principal public access to NCCR Digital Fabrication information is via our website, and we are happy to unveil a significant update to this online platform. The new website builds on the previous design, and augments it with full search capabilities, as well as more comprehensive and easier to find information on all research, programmes and media releases. Additionally, all members and researchers are presented, including a new Alumni section to showcase the advancement of past NCCR researchers. With links to scientific publications, experimental data sets, and demonstrator projects the updated website is a strong step towards transparent open access to all NCCR research. We hope that you enjoy using it.
