Conference theme: Circular Intelligence
Date: 8–10 July 2026
Location: School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney, Australia
Hosted by: Arch_Manu ARC Centre for Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing, UNSW Sydney
For the first time, the DigitalFUTURES 2026 International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF2026) comes to Australia. Join us at UNSW Sydney for three days of research presentations, keynote talks, masterclasses, industry exchange, and international discussion on the future of circular, digitally enabled and robotically fabricated built environments.
The architecture, engineering and construction sector is undergoing a dual transformation: the shift towards digitalisation and the urgent transition towards circularity. Yet the integration of these two agendas remains at an early stage.
As one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, the built environment sector faces mounting pressure to reduce environmental impact, improve productivity and respond to workforce and supply chain challenges. These issues are intensified by industry fragmentation and the limited pathways available for research-led innovation.
Under the theme Circular Intelligence, CDRF2026 invites researchers, designers, engineers, technologists, fabricators and industry partners to explore how computational design, digital technologies, robotics and advanced manufacturing can support a circular transformation of the built environment.
Hosted by the ARC Centre for Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing (Arch_Manu) at UNSW Sydney, CDRF2026 brings together an international community to exchange knowledge, prototype ideas and shape the next frontier of a digitally enabled, regenerative construction future.
CDRF2026 is hosted by the ARC Centre for Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing, Arch_Manu ITTC, at UNSW Sydney. Arch_Manu brings together researchers, industry partners and institutions to advance next-generation architectural manufacturing through computational design, robotics, digital fabrication, advanced materials and future construction systems.
CDRF2026 would like to acknowledge and thank all of our sponsors that made this conference possible.
CDRF2026 acknowledges the Bedegal people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which UNSW Kensington campus is located. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples joining the conference.
Prof M. Hank Haeusler, UNSW Sydney
Dr Ivana Kuzmanovska, UNSW Sydney
Dr Dingwen "Nic" Bao, RMIT University
Prof Blair Kuys, Swinburne University of Technology
Prof Jane Burry, Adelaide University
Prof Mark Burry, Swinburne University of Technology
Prof Hank Haeusler, UNSW Sydney
Dr Ivana Kuzmanovska, UNSW Sydney
Dr Christopher Bamborough, UNSW Sydney
Dr Geoff Kimm, Swinburne University of Technology
Dr Dingwen "Nic" Bao, RMIT University
Dr Yige Liu, Tongji University
Prof Philip Yuan, Tongji University
Dr Farnaz Fattahi, UNSW Sydney
Circular Intelligence asks how digital and circular design practices can come together to reshape the way buildings, materials, systems and construction processes are imagined, produced, used, disassembled and reused.
The conference welcomes research across architecture, computational design, robotic fabrication, digital construction, artificial intelligence, extended reality, data-informed design, advanced manufacturing and circular systems thinking.
CDRF2026 focuses on three interconnected areas:
Research exploring data analytics for design decision-making, the reuse of data from past projects, automation for sustainability outcomes, digital twins, AI, machine learning, IoT, VR, AR and MR in support of circular design transformation.
Research addressing digitally augmented design-to-manufacture processes, computational approaches to low-carbon and climate-positive construction, Modern Methods of Construction, additive and subtractive manufacturing, circular and bio-based materials, robotic deconstruction, disassembly and human-machine collaboration.
Research examining future scenarios, circular collaboration, sector-wide workflows, resilient business models for architecture, engineering, construction and operation, and the future of architectural education and training.
CDRF2026 brings together leading international voices in computational design, artificial intelligence, circular construction, architecture, robotics and digital fabrication. Each keynote will be offered as a formal CPD activity (1 point) for registered architects.
Prof Christiane M. Herr
Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen
Prof Christiane M. Herr is a professor and researcher working across architectural design, ecological design, advanced façade technologies and digitally supported design. Her work connects design research, education and cross-disciplinary collaboration in response to complex environmental and technological challenges.
Tickets & more informationDr Sue Keay
Director, UNSW AI Institute
Dr Sue Keay is a leader in robotics, artificial intelligence and automation. As Director of the UNSW AI Institute, her work supports the responsible development and application of emerging technologies across research, industry and society.
Tickets & more informationProf Achim Menges
University of Stuttgart
Prof Achim Menges is a registered architect and professor at the University of Stuttgart, where he is the founding director of the Institute for Computational Design and Construction. His internationally recognised work explores computational design, robotic fabrication, material systems and integrative construction methods.
Tickets & more informationKathlyn Loseby
ADEIC
Kathlyn Loseby is an architectural leader with extensive experience across practice, professional advocacy and the built environment. Further speaker details will be announced shortly.
Tickets & more informationProf Philip F. Yuan
Tongji University, Shanghai
Prof Philip F. Yuan is a leading scholar and practitioner in computational design and robotic fabrication. He is Professor and Dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University and a key figure in the DigitalFUTURES community.
Tickets & more informationThe DigitalFUTURES 2026 Masterclass program invites participants into hands-on experimentation at the intersection of computational design, circular construction and emerging digital fabrication workflows. Across a series of practical workshops, participants will explore 3D scanning for adaptive reuse and low-carbon documentation, robotic timber fabrication using industrial and collaborative robots, 3D concrete printing design through the Lamina platform, and Polyhedral Graphic Statics for structurally informed tensile and fabric-based structures. Together, these sessions translate the conference theme of Circular Intelligence into applied design methods, demonstrating how digital tools can support more resource-efficient, adaptable and materially aware approaches to the built environment.
The program also introduces emerging design-to-construction workflows using augmented reality-assisted assembly, AI-enabled BIM management and Model Context Protocol connections between large language models and building information modelling software. Participants will work with tools and platforms such as Rhino, Grasshopper, HoloLens, Archicad and Claude to investigate model validation, robotic sequencing, digital-to-physical coordination, information quality control and data-informed decision-making. Designed for researchers, students, designers, architects and technologists, the masterclasses offer a practical environment to test ideas, build new skills and engage directly with the technologies shaping the future of circular architectural practice.
All masterclasses will be linked to the workflows involved in developing and delivering the CDRF2026 Demonstrator structure, which will be on display during the conference. Each masterclass will offer 3 formal CPD points for registered architects.
The CDRF2026 program includes keynote presentations, peer-reviewed paper sessions, masterclasses, research discussions, networking events and the closing awards event.
| Wednesday 8 July 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 8.30–9.00am | Masterclasses Registration |
| 9.00–12.00pm | Masterclasses 1 / 2 / 3 |
| 12.00–1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30–4.30pm | Masterclasses 4 / 5 / 6 |
| 4.30–5.30pm | CDRF2026 Registration / Welcome Drinks |
| 5.30–6.30pm | Opening Ceremony |
| 6.30–8.00pm | Keynote: Prof Candy Herr |
| Thursday 9 July 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 8.30–9.00am | Registration |
| 9.00–10.30am | Keynote: Dr Sue Keay |
| 10.30–12.30pm | Presentation sessions |
| 12.30–1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30–5.00pm | Presentation sessions |
| 5.00–5.30pm | Lamina launch |
| 5.30–6.30pm | Lamina drinks |
| 6.30–8.00pm | Keynote: Prof Achim Menges |
| Friday 10 July 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 8.30–9.00am | Registration |
| 9.00–10.30am | Keynote: Kathlyn Loseby |
| 10.30–12.30pm | Presentation sessions |
| 12.30–1.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30–5.00pm | Presentation sessions |
| 5.00–5.30pm | Break |
| 5.30–6.30pm | Closing ceremony |
| 6.30–8.00pm | Keynote: Prof Philip Yuan |
| 8.00pm– | Afterparty |
Program subject to final confirmation.
Registration is now open for the DigitalFUTURES 8th International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication.
General Registration
AUD $300 + GST per person
Student Registration
AUD $150 + GST per person
Valid student certification is required for student registration.
At least one author of each accepted paper must register and attend the conference in person to present the work.
For conference enquiries, please contact the CDRF2026 Organising Committee.
Email: archmanu@unsw.edu.au
Location: UNSW Sydney, Australia
© DigitalFUTURES CDRF2026 Organising Committee
2026 International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication — UNSW Sydney, Australia