Michael Knauss

Papers

Total Citations

221

H-Index

About

Michael Knauss is a researcher at the forefront of computational design and digital fabrication, with a specialized focus on robotic timber construction and assembly-aware manufacturing methods. His pioneering work explores how industrial robotics can be harnessed to fabricate complex wooden structures with unprecedented spatial precision, opening new possibilities for architecture and the broader construction industry. Knauss's most influential contribution, "Robotic Timber Construction — Expanding Additive Fabrication to New Dimensions" (2015), has garnered 197 citations, establishing him as a leading voice in the emerging field of robotic wood assembly. This work, along with his subsequent research on additive robotic fabrication of complex timber structures, investigates material- and assembly-aware construction methods that challenge conventional building practices. Conducted in part through Switzerland's National Research Programme "Resource Wood" since 2012, his research underscores a commitment to sustainable, resource-conscious construction. Knauss's body of work is particularly significant for bridging computational design with physical fabrication, demonstrating that robotic systems can extend additive manufacturing principles into architectural-scale timber construction. His research continues to inspire students, architects, and engineers seeking innovative, digitally driven approaches to building with wood.