The Sticks & Stones project investigates the integration of traditional stone and timber construction with robotic fabrication. It is part of an ongoing exploration into how digital technologies can revitalize the use of natural, irregular materials in contemporary architecture.

This research focuses on developing a reversible, precision-based structural system using stone and timber. By combining digital scanning, custom toolpath generation, and robotic chiseling techniques, the project demonstrates a new approach to working with found materials.

The process addresses the inherent variability of natural resources, proposing a workflow that adapts design and fabrication strategies in real time. Through iterative prototyping, the project highlights the potential of merging historical material practices with cutting-edge digital tools.

Key Components:

• Digital Scanning of Found Stones
• Robotic Chiseling and CNC Milling
• Adaptive Design and Fabrication Workflow
• Reversible Dry Joint Systems
• Sustainable Use of Traditional Materials

By reinterpreting stone and timber through digital fabrication, Sticks & Stones proposes a resilient and sustainable architectural language. The project emphasizes how modern technology can enhance traditional crafts, enabling new structural solutions that honor material authenticity.

Special thanks to the IAAC faculty and fabrication team for their support, and to all collaborators for their dedication and expertise throughout the project.

For more information on the project, please visit the original blog: Sticks & Stones Blog.

Participants:

• José Ignacio Fuentes-Cantillana Monereo
• Santosh Prabhu Shenbagamoorthy
• Neil Trouw

Course: MRAC01 24/25 Workshop "Sticks & Stones" with IAAC Faculty

 

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