rocker-lange blog

We are happy to announce that Christian J. Lange will deliver a lecture as part of Shenzhen University’s ‘Contemporary Architecture Frontier’ 2024 | Artificial and Intelligence series.

The series of lectures for the ‘Contemporary Architecture Frontier’ postgraduate demonstration course at Shenzhen University, under the guidance of ‘International Vision’ and ‘Youth Vanguard’, has built a platform for theoretical construction and practical analysis of architectural design and urban construction in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Over the past three semesters, this course has focused on hot topics including history, philosophy, art, urban and rural renewal, digital cities, and Shenzhen experiments, inviting more than 70 high-level experts, scholars, and architects from domestic and international brother schools and the industry, and has held more than 20 frontier academic lectures and dialogues.

Against the backdrop of the industry where the future of architecture and cities has sparked widespread discussion, the theme of this semester’s course is ‘Artificial and Intelligence – Architecture Towards the Future’. On the one hand, it explores the academic frontier where emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, robots, and metaverse intersect with architecture. At the same time, it attempts to seek the genuine power of ‘anti-AI’ architectural design creation in the era of change, and plans to invite pioneering scholars from home and abroad to try to discuss the new ideas, new theories, and new practices in the architectural industry under the ‘planning design – construction interaction’ full industry chain from two distinct paths, focusing on generative design of urban architecture, intelligent or traditional construction methods, and information interaction between machines and humans or nature and humans, and to carry out knowledge sharing and academic speculation on the transformation of architecture and cities.

Lecture Abstract:

From Standard to Non-Standard Standards：New modes of production in Architecture

In Architecture, the concept of standardization has had a profound impact on the built environment. In a sense, standardization has been the essence of all economic developments and rapid urbanization since the early 20th century. However, computational tools and CAD/CAM methods developed in the past two decades have given architects a loophole to escape the mandate for standardization. Robotic fabrication and 3D printing are the latest ingredients in the modern toolbox of an architect, promising the world more specificity for the same price. The next big thing is already on the horizon. AI has emerged at light speed as a powerful new tool out of nowhere and is here to stay to shake up the world of Architecture as we know it. This lecture explores this transformation from standard solutions to a world that might give a renaissance to arts and crafts with a digital twist. Drawing from personal research conducted at the Robotic Fabrication Lab at HKU, the presentation delves into innovative projects that depart from traditional standardization approaches and try to offer new solutions with the aim towards non-standard Standards.

Lecture Time and Location:

Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 19:00, Room C205
School of Architecture & Urban Planning,SZU
Address: 3688 Nanhai Avenue, Nanhai District,Shenzhen

We’re excited to share the upcoming discussion series “Critical Disruptions,” organized by Christian J. Lange at the University of Hong Kong. This series of talks will explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in architecture and its potential to critically reshape the discipline and the architect’s role within it.

Abstract:
Computational tools based on artificial intelligence (AI) are advancing fast and becoming more accessible to the industry of Architecture. Since 2022, the profession has witnessed an extraordinary development on architectural representations with applications, such as Midjourney, Dall-E, or Stable Diffusion. A recent RIBA report disclosed that 41% of all UK architects are already using AI in their daily work. The question at stake is whether AI is just another tool at hand in creating architecture, or whether it is, as some say, a disruption to the industry, shaking up the very definition of the role of the architect.

Last semester, the studio “Vary (Strong) | Upcycling public housing via AI” taught by Christian J. Lange and Mono Tung started a first discussion in the Department of Architecture at HKU on how to utilize AI in the discipline. The studio generated some very innovative outcomes by developing novel methods in the design process with the help of AI.

The “Critical disruption” discussion series is a next step in bringing attention to the subject by inviting some architects and designers who have dedicated their work and research in recent years to the subject of AI and to advance its usage in the profession.

Organized by
Christian J. Lange

Moderator
Adeline Chan
AI Researcher & Project Associate, Department of Architecture

Discussant
Christian J. Lange
Director of the Fabrication and Material Technologies Lab and Associate Professor (Teaching), Department of Architecture

Discussion Schedule:

Tim Fu 傅倜龍, CEO, Studio Tim Fu (London)
Friday, 12 April 2024, 6:00–8:00pm

Hamid Hassanzadeh, Founder, Parametric Architecture
Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 6:00–8:00pm

Hao Zheng 鄭豪, Director, Architectural Intelligence Group (AIG)
KB419 Lecture Hall, 4/F Knowles Building, HKU
Wednesday, 17 April 2024, 12:30–2:00pm

Carlos Banon, Architect, Associate Professor of Architecture and Sustainable Design, SUTD
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 6:00–8:00pm

Wanyu He 何宛余, Founder and CEO, XKool
KB730 Lecture Hall, 7/F Knowles Building, HKU
Tuesday, 23 April 2024, 1:00–2:30pm

Arturo Tedeschi, Director, Studio Arturo Tedeschi
Thursday, 9 May 2024, 6:00–7:00pm

For more information, please use link below.
https://www.arch.hku.hk/event_/critical-disruptions/?page_num=10

We are pleased to announce that Christian J. Lange, Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Architecture, was recently featured in the South China Morning Post for his ongoing research in robotic 3D-printed concrete.

The article highlights Lange’s upgraded fabrication lab—located in a former car park on the HKU campus—where his team is pushing the boundaries of automated construction using industrial robots and an advanced 2K concrete printing system. The lab builds on Lange’s earlier work with 3D-printed terracotta reef structures and now explores architectural applications ranging from large-scale landscaping elements to future building components.

While the technology has shown great promise, the article also outlines the challenges faced in commercializing the research, including difficulties in securing funding and engaging with private developers. Despite these hurdles, Lange continues to advocate for the role of digital fabrication in transforming Hong Kong’s construction practices and is committed to scaling the technology through further experimentation and public realm projects.

We invite you to read the full article here.
https://sc.mp/ix6b5?utm_source=copy-link&utm_campaign=3251685&utm_medium=share_widget

We’re pleased to announce Christian J. Lange’s latest exhibition at PMQ, marking the culmination of his doctoral research completed at RMIT University in spring 2023. Titled Autobryksformation: Towards a New Approach to Brick Expressionism | Methods for Unique Idiosyncrasies in Architectural Material Systems | A Practice in the Making, the exhibition introduces audiences to Lange’s innovative exploration of robotic 3D printing with raw clay. Spanning six years of research at the intersection of architecture and advanced fabrication, the show presents a rich body of work through full-scale prototypes, material experiments, and visual documentation—reimagining the potential of ceramic building components in the architectural landscape.

Abstract:
With a focus on robotically controlled 3D printing methods, this exhibition reflects on the past six years of Christian J. Lange’s research, which culminated into his Ph.D. at RMIT in 2023.
Using raw clay as a base material to innovate form, function, and ornament of architectural ceramic building components, the work on display oscillates between his research in the Robotic Fabrication Lab and his teaching at HKU. The two arenas have become the dominant modes of operation to advance the creative work and constantly influence each other through their specific relationship. The exhibition combines and displays the various projects and approaches in these two streams accumulated throughout the years via physical models, 1:1 scale prototypes, video footage, drawings, and photographs.

Rethinking and revitalizing the 7000-year-old material system of brick, and in particular the brick special (bespoke brick) and other means of ceramic components, the research in this exhibition addresses new modes of production that explore innovative structures, novel performances, and unplanned surface expressions. The work offers alternative answers and applications to the generic, standardized building systems that dominate most of today’s built environment, constrain architectural creativity, and limit innovative design approaches.

The exhibition reveals Lange’s particular approach in this research territory via four lenses that will give a unique insight into the work that offers material solutions for architecture that can be more specific and expressive. The explorations with design-built projects, prototypes, and material experimentations on display unfold and contextualize the methods of making developed successively over time.

Exhibition designed by:
Dr Christian J. Lange

Assisted by:
Adeline Chan

Project Collaborators:
Donn Holohan
Holger Kehne
Dave Baker
Lidia Ratoi
Phil Thompson

Research Assistants:
Tony Lau, Anthony Hu, Teego Ma Jun Yin, Ernest Hung Chi Lok, Chau Chi Wang, Ren Depei, Mono Tung, He Qiye, Henry Ho Yu Hong, Kristy Chow, Pamela Maguigad, Kevin Xi Lin, Nicholas Lau, Leung Ka Chi Alvin, Liu Oui Desmond, Samuel Tam, Tam Chi Yan Jack, Hu Chi Hing Jason, Dominic Co, Chen Jiaao, Chan Ka Chun Tom, Lau Ngai Lam Ellen

Students:
Alexandra Bedin, Milan Nushev, Wiley Ng, Alfred Mak, Shu Ting, Qu Tao, Soo Yeon Bong, Jing Lun Zhao, Jing Jiang, Yingxin Wu, Ho Ka Wing Karen, Cheng Tak Hei Ivan, Victoria Dong, Nicole Biewenga, Fan Xinkai, Hu Chi Hing, Lin Xuancheng, Fan Taiwen, Hong Chen, Lai Chu Tung Jetson, Liu Pui Hang Des¬mond, Wang Youlin, Yam Ka Kit, Chan Ka Chun, Co Dominic Lim, IP Chung Ming, Lau Ngai Lam Ellen, Ma Chun Hon, Tam Chi Yan, Tam Shing Yat, Wang Yi Xiao, Wong Suet Ying, Chan Kwun Kit, Huang Shidan, Liu Tsz Shing, Liu Tsz Yeung, Ng Jian Yao, Tse Wang Chun, Zhang Houzhe, Zhu Chenglin

Venue:
H310, 3/F, Hollywood (Block B), PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street
Central, Hong Kong

Date:
21-Dec-2023 – 11-Jan-2024
11:00 am – 8:00 pm

“I am very proud that we finally finished the installation of our upgrade for the Robotic Fabrication Lab at HKU. It took a while but the result has been rewarding.

“Here the official text:
The Robotic Fabrication Lab at the Faculty of Architecture of The University of Hong Kong has undergone a transformative expansion, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in the latest robotic fabrication technology.

“The Lab now proudly houses two large-scale robots mounted on tracks, representing a significant leap forward for the Faculty’s research activities in robotic fabrication. These state-of-the-art robots are equipped with diverse end-effectors that can be changed seamlessly and instantaneously, demonstrating remarkable application versatility.

“The introduction of these advanced robotic systems marks a pivotal moment for the Faculty’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation within the architectural field. Incorporating robots on tracks with quick-change mechanisms amplifies the scale of fabrication and enhances accessibility for our researchers and students.

“The Lab’s emphasis on adaptability is particularly significant, as the robots’ ability to swiftly switch between different functions – concrete printing, clay printing, pick & place solutions, welding, and many more – enables a broad spectrum of fabrication techniques for our various research activities. This versatility opens up new possibilities for architectural experimentation and pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved in terms of design complexity and material construction.

“The upgrade of the Lab has been initiated and planned by Christian J. Lange, Leader of the Robotic Fabrication Lab, together with team members Jacky Chu and Mono Tung.

“For those in Hong Kong, I will be participating in the upcoming Prada [frames] event at M+ coming Wednesday, March 22nd.

“M+ joins Prada to host the Asia premiere of Prada Frames, a yearly symposium that investigates the complex and nuanced relationship between the environment and design. The original Frames concept was established by Italian design studio Formafantasma.

In this 2023 edition curated by M+, Prada Frames will respond to the overarching Frame of Materials in Flux. Spanning over two days through a lecture and two panels, we will examine this topic within the ecology of place. Bringing together architects, artists, designers, and thinkers from Hong Kong, the wider Asia Pacific, and beyond, the panels will focus on the global ambition of sustainability from their practices and places. M+ will serve as a platform and a catalyst to bridge conversations from across Asia within an international context.
Simultaneous Interpretation in Cantonese and Mandarin will be available.

For more information on the project, please use the following link:
https://www.mplus.org.hk/tc/events/prada-frames-at-mplus/?fbclid=IwAR1V1_9p67VdTIPDI8upKfGO4WTeGHDohLjt54vAB3dt8IS-WJXh2hLwR4A

“From more than 5,400 entries from 90 countries to Dezeen Awards this year, the tidal stool project is one of 15 sustainability projects that are in the running to win an award later this year in the sustainability categories.” Thanks to the team @ Robotic Fabrication Lab | Faculty of Architecture | The University of Hong Kong and at our collaborators at the Centre for Chinese Architecture and Urbanism, HKU.
So, if you have time, please vote for us!!!!!

For more information on the project, please use the following link:
https://www.dezeen.com/awards/2022/shortlists/tidal-stool/

To vote, please use the following link:
https://www.dezeen.com/awards/vote

Vote closes 10th October. Thank you!

We are very happy to report that Ingeborg M. Rocker of Rocker Lange Architects has been named Chair and William Harrison Professor of the Georgia Tech School of Architecture. Ingeborg will begin her tenure on September 1, 2022. She will lead the School’s 22 full time faculty members and more than 300 students.

For more information, please use the following link:
https://arch.gatech.edu/ingeborg-rocker-appointed-chair-gt-architecture

I am thrilled to report that two projects that came out of the Robotic Fabrication Lab at HKU in the past two years have been long-listed in this year’s dezeen awards. The “Reformative Coral Habitat” project made it to the sustainable design list, while the Tidal stool has been selected for both the sustainable design category and the furniture design list. Congrats to the teams.

For more information on the projects, please use the following links:
www.dezeen.com/awards/2022/longlists/tidal-stool
www.dezeen.com/awards/2022/longlists/reformative-coral-habitats-reef-tiles

Very happy to share the recent feature in Ming Pao weekly on our Tidal stool project. Thanks to our team in the Robotic Fabrication Lab in the Faculty of Architecture at HKU for making this a successful project.