Yard of Environmental Sustainability (YES) Pavilion

  • Robotics system of "The Yard of Environmental Sustainability (YES) Pavilion" project. Image Courtesy of Adam Fingrut.
  • Robotics system of "The Yard of Environmental Sustainability (YES) Pavilion" project. Image Courtesy of Adam Fingrut.
  • Remote controlled gripper. Image Courtesy of Adam Fingrut.

The Yard of Environmental (YES) Pavilion is a design and construction project linking architecture, mechanical engineering automation, structural engineering, industry contractors and environmental initiatives. The pavilion is a unique example of a permanent brick structure developed via computational tools and constructed by an automated parallel cable robot system, created by a multi-disciplinary team of researchers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), led by Adam. The project uncovers the many workflow advantages of computational design solutions linked with precision robotic construction. Through the use of conventional construction materials, “YES Pavilion” is a pioneer in completing a full-scale construction, done completely by a parallel cable robot.

The Yard of Environmental (YES) Pavilion is a design and construction project linking architecture, mechanical engineering automation, structural engineering, industry contractors and environmental initiatives. The pavilion is a unique example of a permanent brick structure developed via computational tools and constructed by an automated parallel cable robot system, created by a multi-disciplinary team of researchers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), led by Adam. The project uncovers the many workflow advantages of computational design solutions linked with precision robotic construction. Through the use of conventional construction materials, “YES Pavilion” is a pioneer in completing a full-scale construction, done completely by a parallel cable robot.

Milestones

2019.Q3
Project awarded Design Trust Feature Grant

2020.04
The design is selected as the winner in Conceptual Design at the S.ARCH 2020 AWARDS, Japan

2020.07
Construction work at the CUHK campus begins.

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2018
Grantee: Adam Fingrut

Adam Fingrut is an Assistant Professor and researcher in architecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a focus on computation and building systems. He received his Master of Architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and his Bachelor of Architecture from the Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He teaches design studios and a variety of courses specifically pertaining to computational design and architectural technology.

Current research projects involve exploring the relationship between computational design solutions, the role of robotics in fabrication, and the realities of on-site construction. His research is cross-disciplinary and includes collaboration with Mechanical and Automation Engineers, Structural Engineers, and Construction Industry Leaders throughout the Hong Kong and Guangdong region. Highlighted projects include the ZCB Bamboo Pavilion in Hong Kong, a four-story-high long-span bending-active bamboo grid shell structure built in 2015, and "CU-Brick", an ongoing collaborative research project developing robotics for the construction industry.

Organisation: Chinese University of Hong Kong
Project Progress:

Pavilion construction work at the CUHK campus. Image Courtesy of Adam Fingrut.