The Mars Pavilion

Almost every industry is taking manufacturing processes and retrofitting them with automated, robotic workflows. The MARS Pavilion poses the question, what if robots built our buildings alongside humans? The MARS Pavilion integrates robots into the construction process, combining the precision or robots and the freedom of fabric to achieve organic geometry. Industrial robot arms manipulate fabric sleeves, creating an adjustable formwork into which concrete is poured. No two components are the same in the structure, which is designed to be a catenary to keep every member in compression. Steel fiber is introduced in lieu of rebar, yielding exceptional compressive, tensile and flexural strength. 9,500 psi was achieved after 3 days. A uniform steel connection detail is used throughout, creating a consistent means for assembly.

Connections were fabricated with aerospace level precision by American Best Engineering. Footings were fabricated by Aero Welding. Walter P. Moore provided engineering support and ABB Robotics provided industry collaboration and support.