Bio_Build_Botics – Automation and Biomimetic Design for Sustainable Earth-Sheltered Construction

About

Mauro Couceiro, Principal Investigator at ISTAR, proposes the organization of a Summer School Bio_Build_Botics - “Automation and Biomimetic Design for Sustainable Earth-Sheltered Construction”, lasting approximately 20 hours, scheduled to take place from July 14, 2025 to July 25, 2025 at ISTAR Lab and FABLab at Iscte, under my coordination.

Trainers: Mauro Costa Couceiro (MCC), Leonor Domingos (LD), João Sousa (JS).

Guest Speakers: Igor Lacroix (FAU-USP) and Rui Van Zeller (Zigurat).

Organizers: Mauro Costa Couceiro and Joana Gouveia Alves

ISTAR staff: Joana Gouveia Alves and Luís Dias

Program

Day 1

14:30 – 15:00 - Registration

15:00 – 16:00 - Welcome session and the program presentation

16:00 – 17:00 - Keynote Speech

17:00 – 17:30 - Q&A

Day 2

09:30 –11:00 - MCC Masterclass

11:00 – 11:30: Coffee Break

11:30 – 13:00: Grasshopper LD Masterclass

13:00 – 14:30: Lunch Break

14:30 – 16:00 – Groups, Presentation of the exercise. MCC

Day 3 – Day 5

09:00 – 13:00 - Independent Research and Project Design

11:00 – 11:30: Coffee Break

15:00 – 16:00: Research Assistance with MCC

Day 6 – Day 9 – Testing and Prototyping

09:30 – 11:00 – Prototyping in FabLab, João Sousa

11:00 – 11:30: Coffee Break

11:30 – 13:00: Completing prototypes and preparing for presentation

13:00 – 14:00: Lunch Break

Day 10 - Grand Finale

14:00 – 15:30: Group student presentations

15:30 – 16:00: Closing Session

The holding of this workshop will be subject to the number of registrants, the minimum number of which is 5.
Please note: Do not purchase any travel arrangements until your registration has been confirmed.
Any questions? joana.alves@iscte-iul.pt

Course leader

Mauro Costa Couceiro

Target group

The program is especially aimed at students of Higher Education in Architecture, Design, and Engineering, professionals holding a master's or doctorate in the aforementioned areas.

Link to the Registration Form:https://forms.office.com/e/ksjtUZikcC

Course aim

Mauro Costa Couceiro is a Professor and Senior Researcher in Architecture and Design, specializing in biomimetic architecture and human-machine-nature interactions. His research integrates AI and XR technologies with architectural design principles. As an Integrated Researcher at ISTAR, he leads the FCT-funded project “Generative Architectural Design: Promoting Human-Biome Interaction through Traditional Approaches and Emerging Technologies.” This project explores generative design methodologies to create adaptive architectural solutions that foster human-biome symbiosis. (Full CV: https://www.cienciavitae.pt/portal/pt/5917-A557-6A72)

Objectives:

- To conduct a literature review on regenerative architecture, biological systems integrated into buildings, AI in architectural design, structural biomimetics, buried construction, humanoid robotics in construction and vernacular architecture.

- To analyze vernacular precedents in earth construction and other biomimetic processes (such as bird nests, insect cocoons, mammal burrows) to extract design and construction principles applicable to collaborative robotic fabrication.

- Investigate the capabilities and limitations of robotic platforms for performing tasks in earth shelter construction, such as material handling and modeling.

- Use physics-based simulation environments to model robot-environment interactions, material behavior (e.g. soil, clay mixtures), and construction processes.

- Develop speculative concepts in teams for innovative construction systems with lightly processed materials (earth, clay, wood, stone) that can be automated

Fee info