Improv-Structure: Exploring Improvisation in Collective Human-Robot Construction

This chapter delves into the potential of improvisation in collective human-robot construction, focusing on the Improv-Structure project. It introduces a 7′x14′x7′ bamboo structure built by robots and humans over five days, exemplifying an immersive and improvisational design process. The authors discuss the challenges of integrating robotic tools into architectural fabrication, the segregation between design and construction disciplines, and the importance of human-robot interaction in enhancing creativity and efficiency. The Improv-Structure project serves as a proof of concept for improvisational construction, demonstrating how humans and robots can collaborate in real-time to create a structure without pre-defined plans. The chapter also explores the methodology behind the project, including the distribution of design-construction roles, the use of LiDAR scanning, and the flexibility of the design-construction process. It concludes by discussing the limitations and future developments of the Improv-Structure approach, highlighting the potential for enhanced agency for robots, diverse team compositions, and innovative decision-making mechanisms.