Chaoyu Du

Q1. What made you decide to embark on a doctorate program here at ITA?

I have always been fascinated with the topic of technology in architecture, especially in the realm of digital fabrication. Deciding on ETH Zürich as my ideal university was a natural choice, as the Institute of Technology in Architecture here is a leader in this field – and this is what brought me to Switzerland. In fact, I came here a few years ahead of starting my doctorate.

I joined ITA in 2018 to pursue the Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture and Digital Fabrication. Afterward, I stayed on and joined Gramazio Kohler Research to continue my thesis project on data-driven acoustic design. Then, in 2020, I joined Block Research Group as an intern. Finally, in 2021, I applied for the ITA fellowship and was accepted.

Q2. It seems like this is really your place; you just keep moving from one project to the next?

Absolutely! ITA is a place where I encounter remarkably talented individuals from diverse fields on a daily basis. The distinct interdisciplinary atmosphere at ITA is unique. Being here, I always feel encouraged to explore new avenues and think outside the box, which stimulates my creativity and motivates me to push my work forward. Also, ITA has the best lab facilities. Having access to state-of-the-art equipment and resources makes a significant difference in conducting experiments and tests. It enhances the efficiency of my research and allows me to explore innovative approaches.

Q3. What exactly is your research project about now?

So, my research focuses on finding a new and better way to construct vaulted structures. Vaults are incredible because they are lightweight and can span large areas without excessive use of materials, even materials with low strength, which are usually also low in emission.

Q4. And why is your research important and for whom?

I think my research aligns perfectly with the current environmental and social challenges we are facing in the world - how to build sustainably and balance emissions with new construction. What I am particularly interested in are tile vaults made from bricks or soil, materials that are abundant in regions like the Middle East and Africa. These places have a rich tradition of using such materials, but they might have limited access to concrete and engineering know-how.

However, despite the benefits of the vaults, the construction is not only time-consuming but also highly dependent on skilled labor. So, I am experimenting with a construction method using digital fabrication, where I embed all the skilled masons’ hard work into a prefabricated knit and use a pneumatic to lift the knit-connected tiles. Then, the workers just need to place the tiles on this knit, and the structure is lifted up using a pneumatic formwork, and afterward, the gaps between the tiles are filled by shotcrete. It’s clean, with minimal waste, super-fast, cost-effective, and does not require a lot of skilled labor.

Q5. So far, what have you found challenging in your research work?

The interdisciplinary nature of my work is a significant challenge. I am naturally drawn towards such settings because they offer great opportunities to acquire and employ diverse skills from various disciplines. Yet simultaneously, delving into an unfamiliar field can prove to be demanding in the absence of prior knowledge. My research is heavily related to structural design, but I do not have a solid foundation in this area, and this can sometimes make things challenging for me. What might seem obvious to a colleague with an engineering background might not appear so obvious to me.

Q6. What support do you receive along the way and from whom?

At ITA, I am fortunate to have a strong support system. First and foremost, my supervisor, Philippe Block, plays a crucial role in guiding me and providing valuable insights along the way. We meet bi-weekly, and his expertise and experience are invaluable in helping me navigate the complexities of my work. Additionally, being part of a research group means I can always turn to my colleagues for advice, and they are consistently ready to lend a helping hand. Their feedback and diverse perspectives have been instrumental in my ability to overcome daily challenges.

Q7. And have there been any recent highlights?

Yes, Philippe and I recently led a design workshop at a university in China, during which we successfully constructed a 3 by 3-meter prototype of a vaulted shell structure. The workshop spanned a week, and with the assistance of only a handful of students, we managed to complete the structure in just six days. Our approach involved utilizing a knit, onto which laminated timber tiles were fixed using staples. This knit was suspended from a supporting framework, and the gaps between tiles were filled with mortar. An intriguing twist, or the excitement came when we then physically rotated the structure by 180 degrees, effectively lifting it into its upright vault form.

Currently, the prototype is on display for a two-month period, before it will be dismantled. But while standing, it serves as a proof-of-concept for my research work so far. My next endeavor will involve implementing a pneumatic method, whereby a vault can be raised into its upright position by inflating a structure to attain its final shape, eliminating the need for the elaborate flipping process.

Q8. How much computing and how much learning by doing does it take to get these structures up and standing?

It involves a combination of computer modeling and hands-on experimentation, alongside extensive research. Prior to constructing the prototype in China, I dedicated roughly two months to refining the structural design and fabrication methods. However, before that, I spent a substantial amount of time researching the myriad potential methods for crafting such a type of vault. Immersing myself in literature and thinking through each approach proved to be surprisingly time-consuming. This aspect is often underestimated until one embarks on a Ph.D journey.

Q9. What makes for a good doctoral researcher?

When I began, I wanted to quickly learn various skills to tackle my Ph.D challenges, especially technical ones – I thought this would make me a good researcher. But a few months in, I realized being a good researcher is more than just knowing software or programming languages. At ITA, we are encouraged to be independent, define our research goals, find the right questions first, and then figure out how to answer them. It’s not only about solving problems - it’s about developing the ability to spot meaningful research questions from the start, and this turned out to be the toughest yet most valuable part. So, I believe being a good researcher requires patience, commitment, and perseverance, so that one can think more deeply and radically about any given topic.

Q10. And do you feel yourself becoming more confident as a researcher?

Yes. It takes time and practice, but now that I am halfway through my Ph.D I do feel like things are falling into place more easily. It is all coming together and moving in the right direction, and I do feel more confident about myself as a researcher.

Q11. Do you know what the future holds for you? Will you stay in academia?

Currently, my primary focus is on successfully completing my Ph.D to the best of my abilities. While I do not have a concrete plan for the future at this moment, I can speculate about potential directions. The prospect of applying the knowledge I have gained to real-world projects is, of course, quite exciting. So yes, I could see myself in practice, but not in a traditional one. Rather, I envision myself in a structural consulting company, for example, engaging in unique and bespoke projects. In any case, there is still time to decide, and the journey ahead is full of possibilities. Wherever I do end up, I hope that it will align with my passion and skills.

Q12. When your Ph.D is finished, and you look back at your time here at ITA, what will you remember most?

Above all, I will cherish the memories of all the remarkable individuals, friends and colleagues who have crossed my path during my time here. Additionally, the resonating hum of the renowned ITA coffee machine, the fun barbeques hosted by our group, and the countless days immersed in our lab alongside the robots will forever hold a special place in my recollections.

Interview by Ewa Maciejewski, 02 August 2023.