Overview
Join us for Architectural Manufacturing Research Network_ Lecture Series 05 with Luis Rivero Torres, Architect, Computational Designer and PhD Candidate within Arch_Manu, Swinburne University of Technology. This lecture series is part of a collaborative initiative between ARC Centre for Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing (Arch_Manu), Architectural Informatics Society (AIS), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU).

Talk title: Towards a Digital Vernacular: Building a Circular Robotic Housing Chassis

Abstract: The Australian Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is currently navigating a critical juncture, defined by a severe skilled labour deficit and mounting pressure to reduce material waste. This talk introduces the “Circular Robotic Housing Chassis”, a reversible, metal-free timber building platform designed to confront these socio-technical challenges. By shifting construction complexity away from the building site and into an algorithmic pre-fabrication workflow, this research reimagines traditional timber joinery as a scalable “Digital Vernacular”. In this CPD, we will explore the current Australian socio-technical landscape shaping the AEC industry towards automation, demonstrating how bridging the gap between circular material sourcing and accessible robotic manufacturing can empower architects to deliver high-quality, sustainable residential housing without relying on scarce manual labour.

Speaker bio: Luis Rivero Torres is a Mexican architect with nine years’ experience in computational design, BIM, and digital fabrication. He has contributed to projects in Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Africa, advancing digital workflows and emerging technologies. Currently, he is a PhD candidate at Swinburne, and member of ARC Centre Arch_Manu.

Formal CPD offering: This talk is offered as a formal CPD course for architects, mapped to the performance criteria of PC39 and PC45 in the Australian 2021 National Standard of Competencies for Architects. You will earn 1 formal point upon completing the CPD questions. If you would like to receive a certificate, please select the Formal CPD Add-On when ordering your ticket. The questionnaire will be sent to you on the morning of the course. A certificate will be issued once your attendance for the full lecture hour is confirmed. Please note that late arrivals and early departures will result in the loss of the Formal CPD certificate.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will understand how the integration of digitally fabricated, metal-free timber construction systems impacts sustainable design outcomes, enabling the confident evaluation and specification of circular materials and reversible joint typologies in early-stage architectural design. Participants will also be able to apply principles of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) to automated timber construction, understanding how computational workflows and robotic kinematics can eliminate manual “Performance Taxes” and facilitate circular, reversible building systems.

SDG Goals: This presentation addresses the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 9,11,12.

Online: Thursday 26 March 2026, 12:30-2:00PM AEDT
Registration:https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/amrn-lecture-series-05-luis-rivero-torres-tickets-1984840577598
The MS Teams meeting link will be emailed with your registration confirmation.

CALL FOR PRESENTERS
The AMRN is always looking for doctoral students who are interested in presenting their research and engaging in discussion with international peers.
If you would like to participate, please contact the AIS International Activities Committee: Contact Form

AIS International Activities Committee