In cooperation with the company ABB, the ABB-Lab has been set up for the purposes of teaching research at the Institute of Structural Design. The installation of 3 robots of type ABB IRB 140 allows for a broad area of ​​application. Mainly these are used to process model material, such as EPS/XPS, as well as PU foams and wood-based materials. All robots are mounted on a ground-anchored Halfen channel system, and thus are linearly displaceable. In addition, they are equipped with a G. Colombo RC42 spindle and pneumatic gripping tools. The robot can be operated via various programs such as Rhinoceros, Grasshopper and the HAL plug-in. The simulation and offline programming software RobotStudio also enables the creation of robot programs using a PC.

By way of various seminars and projects, new tools and their potential applications for the processing and positioning of geometrically complex components are tested here. Likewise, the laboratory is also available for use through external courses and is used in various diploma and master theses. The 

The machining robot system developed at TU Graz was jointly designed by the Faculties of Architecture and Civil Engineering and is operated primarily by the Institute of Structural Design and the Laboratory for Structural Engineering as a grinding and milling robot system. The research and test facility - built by ABB AG Austria - is designed for wet and dry machining of large components. Both hard and soft materials can be processed by grinding and milling. The plant is equipped with a precision linear axis, which was planned and built by the company Nomotec. The base plate on which the machining robot is mounted is mounted with linear ball bearings and is driven by a ball screw ø 70 mm. In addition, the system is equipped with an automatic tool change system and "Force Control". Various programs such as HyperMILL / HyperCAD, PiPath, Fire - FTP, Robot Studio are available for programming the robot.

The processing laboratory is also available for external courses and can be used for various diploma and master theses. The Robot Design Laboratory can be found on the ground floor of Inffeldgasse 24.

Today, we spend up to 90 percent of everyday life indoors, where we are exposed to electric light. In contrast to natural light, electric light with a limited spectral range is one of the factors that can both positively and negatively affect our behavior, our psyche and our health, despite significant developments in the last decade. A better understanding of these issues contributes to the responsible design of buildings, by positively influencing the performance and well-being of users.

The LightLab offers students of TU Graz the opportunity to engage in lectures on the subject of light and its effects on space. Industry partners offer support by testing their products to optimize their psychological and design properties.

The LightLab is a large, hall-like room with an area of ​​approx. 112 m². It is entered via a gallery and has a height of about 5.50 m. The room is provided with daylight through windows on the south side, with a parapet over 2 m in height, and can also be completely darkened. The room is equipped with technology from theater and stage areas and has an open freight elevator and a crane runway located on the ceiling, which use a rigging system (Rigg) to make possible various lighting situations and spatial effects for experimental purposes at a 1:1 scale. A large repertoire of theater lights, such as lens, profile and PAR spotlights in various sizes, is available. Various lighting control systems can also be used to program scenic sequences. Thanks to the close cooperation with luminaire manufacturers, it is also possible to consistently work with current products.

An office with two employees and a lighting technician is connected directly to the LightLab. For the realization of projects in the field of light research, the LightLab at the Institute of Spatial Design offers the following instruments: Chromameter CS-200, Spectro-Radiometer specbos 1211 and an illuminance meter from Minolta, Illuminance Meter T-10.

Since 2017, the LightLab in cooperation with the Zumtobel Lighting GmbH offers a light consultation hour to all students and employees of TU Graz, every Tuesday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm by appointment, during the semester.

The furniture workshop at TU Graz is assigned to the Institute of Spatial Design and focuses on the implementation and production of wooden furniture designs, which are developed as part of the seminar "Furniture Design Production".

The course intensifies the knowledge of design processes, materials and their behavior as well as possibilities for how to combine these in making furniture. Aspects of furniture design are developed using prototypes at a 1:1 scale and make use of various production strategies. The focus is on wood processing and solid wood joints. Each student is assigned the task of analyzing the use of suitable means and to check and coordinate the adequate use of solid wood in the design process.

The workshop has twelve individual workstations in the form of plywood benches along with necessary hand tools, and is equipped with the essential woodworking machines. An extensive collection of materials, samples and brochures is available on the premises.

The solid, practical implementation of the furniture designs with their artisan finesse and the minimized use of solid wood has gained international recognition over the past several years, including participation in various design exhibitions and fairs in Germany (and abroad) and having exhibited every year since 2014 at Milan Design Week. The external shows are also designed and produced by the members of the institute and students in the workshop.

In the digital workshop, the students of our faculty have four laser cutters and two 3D printers at their disposal. The workshop is located in Kronesgasse 5 and is managed by the Institute of Architecture and Media. 

Laser cutters are machines that use a laser beam to cut materials with high precision and speed. Like a digital Stanley knife, they cut different materials such as thin paper, cardboard or plywood but also 10mm thick acrylic glass.

In the first semester, the students are given an introduction to the handling of the devices within the scope of the course "Methods or representation". Afterwards, they can hire by means of a digital registration system into the digital workshop and use the machines independently. They have to bring along only the digital data of the planar shapes that are to be cut out. The data is usually prepared in a CAD or vector-capable desktop publishing program at home and the students have to send it to the machines in the digital workshop.

In addition to the laser cutters, there are also 3D printers in the digital workshop that can be used for printing architecture models of all kinds. It is operated by members of the Institute of Architecture and Media. Since the 3D printer does not forgive any errors the students are often supported during the preparation of the data before printing, so that they can deliver a cleanly modeled digital 3D model. This machine is mainly used for very fine models or free-form geometries, which are difficult or impossible to be built by hand.

The use of these CNC-controlled machines is an ideal addition to the handmade model making, while the models also receive an unprecedented precision.

For further information and  the reservation of the lasercutter please visit the website of the Insitute of Architecture and Media.

The model workshops, which are located in the basement and ground floor of Kronesgasse 5, are independent workshops. These can be used at any time to work with glue, foamboard, styrofoam, etc.

The use of the small machine workshop is only possible after completed machine evaluation (sawing, grinding, drilling, etc.).

For the use of the small machine workshop, the machine evaluation is necessary. This evaluation consists of two parts, both of which are mandatory. The theoretical part is a lecture and the practical part is to be completed on the machines (limited number of participants). The participation in both parts as well as the knowledge of the workshop rules are to be confirmed by a signature. After successful completion of the evaluation, a workshop card is issued yearly; this card must be visible when using the small machines. A fee is charged for the consumption of materials and wear on machines. Further information can be found under: koen.tugraz.at

Machine workshop and CNC milling machine are on site in the Kronesgasse 5, but only to be operated by our trained technical staff. Here, an appointment or agreement with the Institute of Construction and Design principles is necessary.

Site plan of the workshops

Beginnning in the 2017/18 Winter Semester, studio spaces with a total area of 800m² in the attic of the Alte Technik were made available to master's students as workplaces. Up to eight courses for a total of 160 students can be held in the studios at the same time. The places are made available to students for one semester.

Attic - User Information

Workplaces for Students

The architecture drawing studios at TU Graz are spaces for creativity, learning and teaching where students organize themselves autonomously. There are a few rooms which are available for use as innovation spaces where self-organized learning processes are allowed. These rooms are located on the Alte Technik campus and  in Münzgrabenstraße and are managed and maintained by their own collectives. Membership in one of the TU Graz drawing studios is at the discretion of the organizers of each individual studio.

At irregular intervals the TU Graz drawing studios host project talks with active architects, as well as lecture series and student parties in their own spaces. They also participate in the organization of the annual summer party Graz Open Architecture at the end of the summer semester.

List of public drawing rooms:

Architekturzeichensaal 0 (AZ0)
Architekturzeichensaal 1 (AZ1)
Architekturzeichensaal 2 (AZ2)
Architekturzeichensaal 3 (AZ3)
Architekturzeichensaal 4 (AZ4)
Architekturzeichensaal 5 (AZ5)
Architekturzeichensaal Turm (AZTurm)
Architekturzeichensaal plus (AZ+)