What Digital Building Technologies, ETH Zurich does

Digital Building Technologies (DBT) is an academic research chair within the Department of Architecture at ETH Zurich, established in 2015 and led by Prof. Dr. Benjamin Dillenburger. The group develops computational design and digital fabrication methods for architecture, with a portfolio of 14+ documented research projects spanning 3D printing of concrete formwork (Smart Slab, HiRes Concrete, Cadenza), binder jetting including geopolymer variants (GeoBJT, 3D Printed Reinforced Beam, Arzo), robotic foam 3D printing (FoamWork, Airlements), sand mould casting for metal architecture (Digital Metal Pavilion, Digital Metal Deep Facade), algorithmic sandstone printing (Digital Grotesque II), ice formwork (Cold Production), and microbial-induced calcite precipitation (Geological Microbial Formations). Notable installations include the 7-ton sandstone grotto at Centre Pompidou's 'Imprimer le monde' exhibition (2017), the 78 sqm Smart Slab at DFAB HOUSE in NEST (2018), the Cadenza helical stair at the STEP2 Unit (2024), and the Geological Microbial Formations at the 19th Venice Biennale of Architecture (2025). Documented performance outcomes include 70% material reduction vs. conventional concrete slabs and 60% weight reduction in concrete stair components.

DBT operates as a non-commercial academic entity with a 23-person team of researchers, PhD students, and technical staff, and does not sell products or services. Its budget is funded through Swiss National Science Foundation grants channelled via the NCCR Digital Fabrication National Centre of Competence in Research, Innosuisse, institutional support from ETH Zurich, and industry sponsorship from partners including BASF Forward AM, Holcim, FenX AG, Voxeljet AG, Christenguss AG, Sika, and Medusoil. Customer relationships are collaborative research partnerships rather than commercial transactions, with host institutions including Empa, Eawag, the Block Research Group at ETH Zurich, and ROK Architects. Industry partners typically contribute materials, prototyping services, or domain expertise in exchange for access to the research output.

Its go-to-market is event-driven academic dissemination: peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations at ACADIA, CAADRIA, IASS, and Fabricate, recurring placements at international exhibitions (Venice Biennale, Centre Pompidou, Seoul Biennale), and editorial coverage in design media (DesignBoom, ArchDaily, Dezeen). The MAS DFAB Master of Advanced Studies program, jointly organized with Gramazio Kohler Research, serves as a separate channel for training professionals in digital fabrication. No pricing model, commercial licensing, or revenue stream exists.

Name

Digital Building Technologies, ETH Zurich

Legal name

Digital Building Technologies (DBT), ETH Zurich

Website

https://dbt.arch.ethz.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Digital Building Technologies (DBT) is an academic research chair at ETH Zurich developing computational design and digital fabrication methods for architecture, including 3D-printed concrete formwork, binder jetting, foam printing, and microbial biocementation, demonstrated through research installations and international exhibitions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Research and Digital Fabrication

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Digital fabrication
• Architectural research
• 3D concrete printing
• Robotic fabrication
• Computational design

Headquarters

HQ city

Zurich

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

Revenue model

1. Research Funding: Funded through Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) via National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication, Innosuisse funding, and institutional support from ETH Zurich.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Digital Building Technologies (DBT) is an academic research group at ETH Zurich that develops digital fabrication methods for architecture and construction, including 3D-printed concrete formwork, binder jetting, foam 3D printing, robotic fabrication and microbial biocementation. Its work is disseminated as research projects, peer-reviewed publications, exhibitions, and the MAS DFAB graduate education program. DBT does not sell commercial products; outputs are publicly shared research demonstrations and technology transfer through industry partnerships.

Product overview

Digital Building Technologies (DBT) at ETH Zurich is an academic research chair focused on digital fabrication technologies for architecture and construction. The portfolio consists of research projects in 3D printing for concrete (Smart Slab, HiRes Concrete, Cadenza, FoamWork, Airlements, Cold Production), additive manufacturing with metal and sandstone (Digital Grotesque II, Digital Metal Pavilion/Facade, 3D Printed Reinforced Beam), biocementation and sustainable materials (Geological Microbial Formations, Arzo), and integrated systems (Electrical Skin). DBT does not offer commercial products; these are research demonstrations and proof-of-concept projects exploring the intersection of computational design, robotic fabrication, and novel materials for the construction industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Smart Slab 78-square-meter prestressed concrete slab using 3D-printed formwork, part of the DFAB HOUSE at NEST. Discretized into eleven 7.4-metre-long segments, weighing 70% less than conventional concrete slabs.
• HiRes Concrete Slab Ultra-efficient structural concrete slab with 70% material reduction compared to standard reinforced concrete slab, featuring integrated building services (heating, cooling, ventilation) and a doubly curved funicular shell design. Installed at NEST HiLo Unit.
• Cadenza Helical concrete stair installed at the BASF STEP2 Unit at NEST, featuring reusable 3D-printed formworks for discrete concrete steps that are 18mm thick and weigh 45kg each. Uses ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete and memory steel post-tensioning for reversible dry connections compatible with circular economy principles.
• 3D Printed Reinforced Beam Structural building component up to 4.5 meters long fabricated from binder-jet 3D printed sandstone. Seven interlocking segments designed for a compression-only structural system with post-tensioning.
• FoamWork Foam 3D printing (F3DP) technology for creating unique shapes for stay-in-place or temporary and recyclable concrete formwork, using printable mineral foams based on recycled waste developed in collaboration with FenX AG.
• Airlements 2m high monolithic wall assembly of cement-free mineral foam 3D-printed parts for lightweight, insulated wall construction. Developed with FenX AG, each hollow segment weighs 25kg.
• Electrical Skin Robotically 3D printed free-form façade-panel with integrated electric infrastructure, first architectural application where both complex form and electric infrastructure are fabricated in a single process.
• Digital Grotesque II Full-scale 3D printed sandstone grotto premiered at Centre Pompidou's 'Imprimer le monde' exhibition, entirely algorithmically designed with 7 tons of printed sandstone, featuring 1.350 million surfaces and 42 billion voxels.
• Digital Metal: Deep Facade 3D printed sand moulds for casting custom metal facade panels. Installation of 26 bespoke three-dimensionally articulated panels assembled to a 3.5m high wall.
• Digital Metal: Shaping Liquid Pavilion 4m wide, 6m long, 5m high metal space frame with over 200 customized joints and 400m of aluminum profiles. First architectural structure combining hybrid cast metal and 3D printed molds.
• Cold Production (Ice Formwork) Zero-waste concrete fabrication method using digitally sculpted ice as moulding material, with ice units press-formed using 3D-printed multiparty moulds at -10C.
• Geological Microbial Formations Biocementation research project using microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) with Sporosarcina pasteurii to transform construction waste into architectural materials, featuring a robotic arm for continuous sand layering and mineral binding.
• Arzo 3D printing project using waste from marble quarries in Ticino with Geopolymer Binder Jetting (GeoBJT). Mobile container-based setup enables on-site printing for structural applications using recycled materials.
• LevisErgon Robotically 3D-printed ergonomic chaise longue with structurally optimized geometry, printed with only 2mm thickness, dimensions 1.7m x 0.7m x 0.7m, weighing less than 15kg.
• skelETHon Concrete Canoe 4 meter-long concrete canoe with topology-optimized steel fibre-reinforced inner skeleton and 2-3mm waterproof concrete skin, using 3D-printed submillimetre plastic formwork. Won 1st Prize for Design Innovation at the 16th Concrete Canoe Regatta in Cologne.
• MAS DFAB (Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture and Digital Fabrication) Master of Advanced Studies program in Architecture and Digital Fabrication, jointly organized with Gramazio Kohler Research at ETH Zurich, providing professional development and advanced training in digital fabrication for architecture and construction professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% material reduction compared to conventional concrete slabs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• NCCR Digital FabricationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018National Centre of Competence in Research providing major funding and research coordination for digital fabrication research at ETH Zurich. DBT is one of the key research chairs in this NCCR.
• Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the NEST building research platform in Dübendorf. DBT has installed multiple projects in NEST including the HiLo Unit and DFAB HOUSE.
• EawagcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the NEST building platform alongside Empa, hosting DBT research installations.
• Block Research Group (BRG), ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative structural design partner for funicular floor systems, including HiRes Slab and Arzo projects. BRG provides structural engineering expertise.
• Architecture and Building Systems (A/S), ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on integrated building systems including heating, cooling, and ventilation integrated into 3D-printed concrete elements.
• BASF Forward AMmajorTechnology or IntegrationProvided formwork development and 3D printing expertise for the Cadenza stair project, including advanced polymer materials.
• Christenguss AGmajorTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for 3D printing services using binder jetting technology. Partnered on Digital Grotesque II, Smart Slab, and multiple other projects.
• Voxeljet AGmajorTechnology or IntegrationLarge-scale 3D printer manufacturer providing printing services for construction-scale components in the Smart Slab project.
• FenX AGmajorTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on developing printable mineral foams based on recycled waste for FoamWork and Airlements projects.
• Holcim (Schweiz) AGmajorTechnology or IntegrationSwiss cement and concrete manufacturer providing materials expertise and sponsorship for sustainable construction research including HiLo and Arzo projects.
• BASF (Schweiz) AGmajorTechnology or IntegrationMaterials science company providing advanced materials and sponsorship for research including HiLo Unit concrete development.
• SUPSI (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the Arzo project, developing 3D printing with marble quarry waste. SUPSI provides expertise in materials and local production.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Arup: Global engineering consultancy with active digital fabrication and computational design practices; serves as the industry counterpart applying academic research like DBT's to real building projects.

Emerging players

• ICON: US-based construction-tech company commercializing large-scale 3D printing for housing, addressing similar material-reduction and geometric-complexity use cases explored by DBT.
• COBOD International: Commercial leader in 3D concrete printing for buildings; represents the commercial trajectory that DBT's academic research could potentially feed through licensing or spin-offs.
• Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard: Runs parallel biocementation and biologically inspired construction R&D (including MICP-style microbial materials), making it an academic peer in DBT's most novel research thread.

Direct peers

• Robotic Fabrication Lab, ETH Zurich: Cross-chair facility and research program at ETH Zurich focused on robotic fabrication processes for architecture — overlapping heavily with DBT's robotic concrete and foam printing work.
• Gramazio Kohler Research, ETH Zurich: Adjacent ETH Zurich chair in digital fabrication and architecture that co-runs the MAS DFAB program with DBT and operates in the same research area of robotic fabrication and computational design.
• Block Research Group (BRG), ETH Zurich: Internal ETH Zurich collaborator focused on structural design of funicular and vaulted systems; DBT and BRG jointly develop projects such as HiRes Slab and Arzo, making BRG a direct methodological peer.
• Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL: Leading UK academic unit in computational design and digital fabrication with research groups working on 3D-printed and robotic construction at architectural scale.
• Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC): Barcelona-based academic institute active in digital fabrication, large-scale 3D printing, and robotic construction — overlapping DBT's agenda on computational design for architecture.
• Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart: Closest international academic peer in computational design and digital construction, led by Achim Menges; conducts parallel research on bio-inspired and robotically fabricated building components.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dbtethz
• YouTubeyoutube.com/results?search_query=dbt+eth+zurich
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digital-building-technologies-eth-zurich

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Digital Building Technologies, ETH Zurich