Gramazio Kohler Research

What Gramazio Kohler Research does

Gramazio Kohler Research is the Chair of Architecture and Digital Fabrication at ETH Zurich, established around 2005, and led by Prof. Fabio Gramazio and Prof. Matthias Kohler. The group investigates how introducing digital manufacturing techniques changes architectural production, with research spanning robotic fabrication in timber, brick, concrete, and steel, computational design of complex geometries, and the integration of extended reality (XR) and AI into architectural workflows. The group's strategic output includes the open-source COMPAS framework (a Python-based geometry and algorithmic design toolkit for the AEC industry), COMPAS XR for VR/AR integration, and COMPAS cadwork for cadwork CAD interoperability. Demonstrated projects include 93 computer-designed balustrades for the historic Hotel Schatzalp in Davos, the "A Robot's Dream" humanoid-robot installation at La Biennale di Venezia 2025, and the MIRRORWORLDS XR/AI installation shown at MUNCH Oslo and the Space for Contemporary Architecture in Vienna.

Gramazio Kohler Research operates as an academic research group within ETH Zurich rather than a commercial company. Its outputs are distributed through research publications, international architecture exhibitions (La Biennale di Venezia, MUNCH Oslo, Utzon Center Aalborg), academic conferences (RobArch, CAADRIA, Future of Construction, Smart Geometry), GitHub-hosted open-source software, and educational programs including the MAS ETH Architecture and Digital Fabrication master's program and undergraduate teaching. Revenue in a commercial sense is not generated; funding flows from ETH Zurich institutional resources, Swiss National Science Foundation grants, EU Horizon Europe programs (notably XTREME), Pro Helvetia, and industry partners including MESH AG, Holcim AG, Häring Timber Engineering, and Unitree. The research group collaborates closely with other ETH chairs (BLOCK Research Group, Chair of Landscape Architecture, Computational Robotics Lab, Robotic Systems Lab), external academics (XAIA Lab at Princeton, Politecnico di Torino), and a network of architecture and construction industry partners.

The group's competitive position rests on its 18+ years of accumulated research output, two globally recognized founders with strong academic reputations, the COMPAS open-source ecosystem gaining adoption across the AEC industry, and privileged access to ETH Zurich's institutional and funding infrastructure. Growth signals include product launches (COMPAS XR, COMPAS cadwork), geographic expansion across Europe (Pamplona, Kharkiv, Aalborg, Oslo), emerging commercial spinouts (MESH AG), and ongoing exhibitions at major venues. As an academic entity embedded in a public university, the group's growth trajectory is better measured in research scope, partnership breadth, and ecosystem influence than in commercial revenue.

Name

Gramazio Kohler Research

Legal name

Gramazio Kohler Research

Website

https://gramaziokohler.arch.ethz.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Gramazio Kohler Research is the Chair of Architecture and Digital Fabrication at ETH Zurich, conducting research on robotic fabrication, computational design, and extended reality for the AEC industry, with open-source software (COMPAS) and educational programs serving academia, architecture firms, and construction partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Digital Fabrication Research

NAICS

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Engineering Services (541330), Industrial Design Services (541420)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Universities with Architecture, Built Environment & Design Engineering (EDAHAEAJ), Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA), Prototype Metrology, Inspection & Reverse Engineering (Prototype-Focused) (IMAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Robotic fabrication
• Computational design
• Digital architecture
• AEC open-source framework
• Extended reality construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Institutional Funding: Funded through ETH Zurich institutional resources, Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) grants, and European research programs including EU Horizon Europe projects (XTREME).
2. Open Source Software Distribution: COMPAS framework and related tools distributed as open-source software, with community contributions and commercial adoption by industry partners.
3. Educational Programs: MAS ETH Architecture and Digital Fabrication program, undergraduate courses, and continuing education generating tuition-based revenue through ETH Zurich.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gramazio Kohler Research is the Chair of Architecture and Digital Fabrication at ETH Zurich, conducting research and teaching on how digital fabrication, robotics, and computational design change architectural production. The group develops and releases the COMPAS open-source framework (with COMPAS XR and COMPAS cadwork extensions) for the AEC industry, builds custom robotic fabrication systems for timber, brick, concrete, and steel, and runs academic programs and experimental installations exploring human-machine collaboration in architecture.

Product overview

Gramazio Kohler Research is the Chair of Architecture and Digital Fabrication at ETH Zurich, operating as a research institute rather than a commercial product company. Their portfolio consists of open-source software frameworks (COMPAS, COMPAS XR, COMPAS cadwork) for computational design and digital fabrication in the AEC industry, combined with educational programs (MAS, courses), research installations (A Robot's Dream, MIRRORWORLDS), and access to a Robotic Fabrication Laboratory. The COMPAS framework serves as the core open-source product providing Python-based geometry processing and algorithmic design tools, while COMPAS XR extends this into extended reality applications and COMPAS cadwork provides CAD integration. These are complemented by academic programs and experimental installations exploring the intersection of robotics, AI, and architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• COMPAS Framework Open-source Python-based computational framework for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, providing an extensive geometry kernel, data structures, and algorithms for 3D modeling, analysis, and digital fabrication workflows. Used by researchers, AEC software developers, and industry partners.
• COMPAS XR Open-source module within the COMPAS framework for integrating Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality into AEC workflows, providing enhanced visualization and human-machine collaboration for architectural and construction use cases.
• COMPAS cadwork Python integration enabling COMPAS ecosystem access within cadwork CAD software, providing AEC-specific algorithms for 3D modeling, geometry processing, and AEC workflows. Distributed via GitHub.
• MAS ETH Architecture and Digital Fabrication Master of Advanced Studies program at ETH Zurich focused on architecture and digital fabrication, featuring student projects such as #caschlatsch, Eggshell Pavilion, and Rapid Clay Formations that explore robotic fabrication, computational design, and material experimentation. Aimed at practicing architects and engineers.
• Coding Architecture Courses Educational courses at ETH Zurich teaching Python programming, the COMPAS framework, and algorithmic/computational design methods for architectural design and digital fabrication, aimed at architecture students.
• Immersive Architecture Course Course at ETH Zurich exploring immersive technologies including VR, AR, and spatial computing for architectural design and visualization, including workshops on immersive models and spatial audio experiences.
• Studio Foundations (BSc Architecture integrated design studio) New first-year integrated design course within the revised BSc Architecture curriculum at ETH Zurich, introducing students to computational and digital fabrication approaches in architectural design. Active from October 2025.
• Schatzalp Balustrades (computational design for heritage restoration) Industry partnership deliverable comprising the computational design and digital fabrication of 93 unique balustrades for the historic Hotel Schatzalp sanatorium in Davos, using augmented-reality-assisted assembly. Demonstrates technology transfer from academic research to industry practice.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93 unique balustrades fabricated with augmented reality assembly for Hotel Schatzalp heritage project
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability12 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• MESH AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaborative partner in robotic construction projects including 'A Robot's Dream' installation at La Biennale di Venezia. MESH constructs low-carbon steel rebar structures using robots for architectural installations and construction projects.
• NCCR Digital FabricationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025National Center of Competence in Digital Fabrication provides institutional support and research funding for digital fabrication research initiatives.
• Bergmeister + Partner AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering firm providing structural engineering expertise for digital fabrication projects including rebar construction for architectural installations.
• Debrunner BewehrungstechnikmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRebar reinforcement technology provider supporting robotic fabrication research for steel reinforcement structures.
• Kühne + Nagel International AGminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLogistics partner for transportation and supply chain coordination of construction materials for research projects.
• Rudolf Maurer AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetal construction partner providing expertise for robotic steel fabrication and assembly processes.
• Künzli Davos AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal timber construction company producing balustrades for Schatzalp heritage project, demonstrating effective technology transfer from academic research to industry practice.
• incon.aicoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner providing technology solutions for the Schatzalp Balustrades heritage restoration project involving computational design and digital fabrication.
• Berghotel Schatzalp, DavoscoreOthersClient for heritage restoration project involving computer-aided design of balustrades for historic sanatorium building.
• BLOCK Research Group - Philippe BlockcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration with Assistant Chair of Building Structure on structural frameworks, programmed columns, and sequential structures projects combining robotic fabrication with structural engineering research.
• Prof. Christophe Girot - Chair of Landscape Architecture, ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on procedural landscape design and fabrication using sand and granular materials for landscape architecture applications.
• Yael Girot - Atelier GirotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture partner for experimental landscape design projects integrating digital fabrication methodologies.
• Keller AG ZiegeleienmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrick manufacturer providing materials and expertise for robotic bricklaying research and experimental construction projects dating back to 2006.
• Holcim AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCement and construction materials supplier supporting concrete fabrication research including perforated wall projects.
• Holzco-Doka AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormwork systems provider supporting concrete fabrication research and experimental construction methodologies.
• Geberit AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanitary technology partner contributing to construction systems research projects.
• Häring Timber EngineeringmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber construction partner for sequential wall and timber framework research projects.
• Cellform AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoam technology specialist supporting PU foam fabrication research for acoustic panels and furniture applications.
• Conzett Bronzini Partner AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStructural engineering firm providing expertise for historic concrete construction assessment in heritage projects.
• Computational Robotics Lab (CRL), ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobotics research laboratory providing expertise for robotic fabrication and assembly research.
• Robotic Systems Lab (RSL), ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobotic systems research group contributing to robotic hardware and control systems for architectural applications.
• XAIA Lab at Princeton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research collaboration on extended reality and AI applications in architecture.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Robotic Building Lab, TU Delft: TU Delft research group led by Henriette Bier, focused on robotic and additive manufacturing for architecture and construction. Directly comparable to GKR: produces exhibited robotic-construction research, collaborates with materials suppliers and the broader AEC industry, and operates as a publicly funded academic lab at a major technical university - mirroring Gramazio Kohler's role at ETH Zurich.
• ICD Stuttgart - Institute for Computational Design: University of Stuttgart research lab led by Achim Menges, focused on computational design and robotic fabrication in architecture. Closest direct peer: publicly funded academic lab pioneering novel material systems (e.g., woven timber, carbon-fibre composites, mycelium) using multi-axis robotic fabrication - structurally analogous to Gramazio Kohler Research's mission, talent base, and partner ecosystem.
• Bartlett B-Pro, UCL: UCL Bartlett's B-Pro (formerly B-pro programmes) cluster, including postgraduate research at the Bartlett School of Architecture. Comparable to GKR as a London-based postgraduate research environment integrating computational design, robotics, and applied fabrication - sharing high international visibility, software-led methodology, and exhibition-driven dissemination.
• MIT Architecture / Digital Fabrication Research: MIT's Department of Architecture houses several research strands (Skylar Tibbits' Self-Assembly Lab, Matter Design, etc.) working on computational design and robotic fabrication. Directly comparable academically: elite US technical university housing pioneering research in programmable matter, robotic fabrication, and architectural computing - similar grant structure and global exhibition profile to GKR.
• AA Design Research Lab: Postgraduate programme at the Architectural Association School in London, directed by Roberto Pasquero and others, focused on computational design and architectural research. Comparable to GKR as a graduate-level research-training environment that combines academic study, advanced computational tools, and built projects - producing influential experimental architecture.

Broad incumbents

• McNeel (Robert McNeel & Associates): Developer of Rhinoceros 3D, the CAD platform widely used by computational-design architects and the host into which COMPAS is now packaged (COMPAS Python 3.x support in Rhino 8). Comparable as both ecosystem partner and adjacent incumbent: McNeel's reach into architectural computing defines a real commercial context for GKR's open-source tooling.
• Autodesk: Dominant AEC software vendor (Revit, AutoCAD, generative design tools). Comparable to GKR not because it competes head-to-head but because it owns the platform into which COMPAS must integrate: if Autodesk embeds advanced computational/robotic-design capabilities directly, it shapes the addressable market for GKR's open-source tooling and academic outputs.

Others

• Häring Timber Engineering: Swiss timber-engineering firm collaborating with GKR as a strategic industry partner on timber-wall and sequential-wall research projects. Comparable as a long-standing industry partner and channel for technology transfer of GKR's research into commercial timber construction.

Emerging players

• Odico Formwork Robotics: Danish robotics company building custom robotic fabrication systems, including formwork and subtractive/additive manufacturing for the built environment. Comparable to GKR as a niche player turning robotic-fabrication research into commercial systems - illustrating the type of emerging competitor GKR's spinoffs overlap with.
• MESH AG: Swiss robotic-construction startup emerging from the broader ETH Zurich ecosystem, including collaboration with Gramazio Kohler Research (partner on the La Biennale di Venezia installation). Comparable as an ETH-aligned startup commercialising robotic fabrication technology (notably rebar construction) that secured a US$3.8M seed round, illustrating the venture-style spinoff pathway out of GKR-related research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/gramaziokohlerresearch
• Facebookfacebook.com/ethinformatik
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eth-zurich

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Gramazio Kohler Research