DFAB
Develops robotic digital fabrication and 3D concrete printing systems for architectural and construction applications, enabling complex, material-efficient building components.
- CEO / Founder
- Prof. Dr. Matthias Kohler
- Team Size
- 51-200
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- $53.5M
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Technology & Products
Key Products
Mesh Mould robotic reinforcement; Smart Dynamic Concrete extrusion; In-situ robotic fabrication systems
Technological Advantage
CLAIMED: Seamless digital-to-physical workflow for complex architecture. VERIFIED: Peer-reviewed validation, full-scale demonstrators (DFAB HOUSE), SNSF-backed research. DEFENSIBLE: Institutional IP, proprietary robotic control algorithms, and specialized material formulations.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Research consortium developing robotic digital fabrication and 3D concrete printing systems that eliminate traditional formwork and reduce material waste by up to 50%, cutting construction costs and embodied carbon for complex architectural structures.
How They Differentiate
Unlike COBOD and ICON which focus on high-speed gantry extrusion for residential housing, DFAB develops multi-robotic, multi-material systems optimized for complex architectural geometries and structural efficiency, prioritizing design freedom and material reduction over pure build speed.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Architectural firms, construction companies, and material suppliers
Industry Verticals
Architecture; Construction; Civil Engineering
Competitors
COBOD; ICON; XtreeE
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Non-commercial academic research consortium; operated two 4-year phases (2014–2018, 2019–2024) backed by ~CHF 24M in direct Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) funding plus institutional contributions. Engaged 200+ researchers across 12+ partner institutions, delivering multiple full-scale architectural demonstrators and spawning several AM/construction-tech spin-off companies.
Major Milestones
2014: NCCR Digital Fabrication initiated by Swiss National Science Foundation; 2019: Completed DFAB HOUSE, first digitally planned and robotically fabricated building; 2022: Launched Phase II research program focusing on circular construction and AI-driven fabrication