Photos: Student-led robotic assembly methods enable fully reversible modular construction

The Arkhive project, developed by master’s students from UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture Design for Manufacture program, showcases an innovative approach to sustainable building through robotic fabrication and fully reversible modular construction. The full-scale pavilion uses an adaptable timber truss structure assembled with industrial robotic arms, enabling high precision in creating complex geometries. Central to the design is a "material bank" concept, where every component retains its structural integrity for future reuse, promoting a circular economy by allowing disassembly without material loss through reversible joinery systems like cam-lock connections instead of traditional fasteners. The pavilion’s unique structural logic features two twisting timber arches braced by robotically assembled ladder-beam trusses, demonstrating how standardized modular components can form stable, non-linear architectural forms. The project was a collaborative effort involving academic tutors, students, and structural engineers, ensuring both design innovation and technical feasibility. Initially exhibited at The Bartlett’s Fifteen Show in 2024, the refined final version was installed at St Andrews Bot