1 2

Michael Budig

Assistent Professor of Architecture

and Sustainable Design

Innovative Form and

Construction Intelligence

Michael Budig is Assistant Professor in Architecture and Sustainable Design at the

Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). He was an affiliate faculty

at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2016. Before joining SUTD

he was a senior researcher at the Singapore–ETH Centre’s Future Cities Laboratory

(FCL) from 2011 to 2014, where he led a Singapore based research team on robotic

fabrication strategies in architecture for Gramazio & Kohler’s chair of Architecture

and Digital Fabrication (ETH Zurich). The research included PhD research, industry

collaborations and design studios for master students from ETH Zurich and NUS

Singapore.

Prior to the activities at FCL Michael Budig was involved in teaching and design

research with Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher at the University of Applied Arts

Vienna and the University of Innsbruck. Throughout his academic career, he has

taught around 1,200 students and advised 750 projects. He registered with the

Austrian Board of Architects in 2004 (EU-wide recognition) and was principal at

Moll Budig Architecture, a multi-disciplinary office on architecture, urbanism

and design strategies. Built projects include industrial buildings such as a metal

recycling company, soap production facilities in Innsbruck and residential projects.

Michael Budig’s research focuses on construction design with the implementation

of digital design and construction technologies, parametric design, timber

construction, concrete construction, tropical architecture, and material

consumption. He is appointed Young Urban Leader with the World Cities Summit

and is a member of the Advisory Committee on the Review of Universal Design

(UD) Mark Certification Scheme for the Building and Construction Authority (BCA)

in Singapore.

Michael Budig

Page layout and content organisation based on Interactive Voronoi Diagram Generator with WebGL by Alex Beutel

Research Fields

Innovative form

Construction intelligence

Material intelligence

Wood construction

Composite materials

+ hybrid systems

Construction processes

Digital fabrication

Parametric design

3 4Wood construction

Design studio option: 2017 - Micro-towers: phase 1

Material and geometic experimentation

Design studio option: 2017 - Micro-towers: phase 2

Architectural and structural articulation

Design studio option: 2017 - Micro-towers:

Overview of all projects

Design Research in Education

5 6

NON-SPATIAL

1 - LAYER PLAIN

CUTTING

SCORING 1 - AXIS 2 - AXES FRICTION CHEMICAL

GLUINGRIVETING/

SCREWING

INTER-

LOCKING

MECHANICAL WELDING

JOINING

CURVED

FOLDED

2 - LAYERS PLAIN

CURVED

FOLDED

MULTI-LAYERS PLAIN

CURVED

FOLDED

STRUCTURE

STRENGTH STABILITY ENCLOSER PARTITION

VISUALTHERMAL ACOUSTIC

SPATIAL

Innovative form

Material Research in Education

Design studio option: 2015

(De)laminations - overview of all projects

Design studio option: 2015

(De)laminations - categorisation of formal concepts

Architecture science and technology: 2014 - current

Material and construction design studies

7 8 TYPE

System Functions Maintenance Items Maintenance Processes Replaceable Subsystems Frequency

Period

of Time

(year)

Probability of

occurrenceSeverity Detectability

Involved

Equipments/

component

Equipment/

component

cost from BOM

(Bill of material)

No. of

Operato

rs

Labor

cost/hour

Maintenance

Hours Type

Water leakage due to damage or

deterioration of water proofing

membrane

Carry out repair work on the

defective waterproofing layer if

accessible.

If inaccessible, a negative

waterproofing system would be

installed e.g. internal surface

1 3 Moderate High Very High na na 2 10 0.4 Material / Finishes

Cracks caused by deterioration in

structural system leading to water

leakage

To carry out repair work on

cracked/weakened surface areasNo replaceable system 1 1 Low Very High Remote na na 2 10 0.5 Material / Finishes

Structural failure due to

overloading

Engage a structural engineer to

identify the cause of failure, if

found to be structural damage,

rectification processes should be

made based on engineers

recommendation

0 1 Low Very High Low na na 2 250 4 Systems / Design

Lack of structural integrity due to

weathering

If found to be non-structural

defects:

removal of old concrete cover,

scraping of rusty surface and

applying anti rust coating on

necessary regions

Conduct grouting to seal up minor

holes within concrete structure

and seal up with fresh concrete and

finishes

0 1 Low Very High Low na na 3 250 4 Material / Finishes

Rusting of steel reinforcement due

to water ingression

If found to be non-structural

defects:

Removal of old concrete cover,

scraping of rusty surface and

appkying anti rusting coat.

Conduct grouting to seal up

mircor holes within concrete

structure and seal up with fresh

concrete and finishes.

0 1 Low High High na na 4 250 4 Material / Finishes

Surface cracks

If found to be non-structural

defects:

Removal of old concrete cover,

scraping of rusty surface and

appkying anti rusting coat

Conduct grouting to seal up

mircor holes within concrete

structure and seal up with fresh

concrete and finishes

120 1 High Moderate Low na na 5 250 4 Material / Finishes

Chipping causing uneven surfaces

due to weathering and wearing

overtime

If found to be non-structural

defects:

Removal of old concrete cover,

scraping of rusty surface and

appkying anti rusting coat

Conduct grouting to seal up minor

holes within concrete structure

and seal up with fresh concrete and

finishes

60 1 High Low Moderate na 6 150 4 Material / Finishes

Sewage piping choked due to

failure of grating in filtering

choking contaminants

Relieve choke through the use of

mechanical means

Replace grating with appropriate

size

0 1 Low High Moderate na na 7 35 4 Material / Finishes

Sewage piping choked due to

choking of grease traps

Relieve choke through the use of

mechanical means

Replace grease traps with

appropriate size

0 1 Low Moderate Moderate na na 2 35 4 Material / Finishes

Leakage into building elements

due to deteriorated sealant

Removal of old sealant and

replacement of new sealant 1 1 Low High Moderate na na 35 4 Material / Finishes

Defects due to inappropriate

handling of cargo3 1 Low Moderate Low na na 35 4 Systems / Design

Deterioration and weathering 0 1 High Moderate Moderate na na 35 4 Material / Finishes

Impact from chemical substance

Replace defective surface material

with chemical resistant coating

when required

0 1 Low Moderate Moderate na na 35 4 Material / Finishes

Mildew, mould 60 1 High Moderate Low na na 35 4 Material / Finishes

Inflamed areas - caused by fire 2 1 Low Moderate Low na na 35 4 Material / Finishes

Swimming poolsMultiple water ingression areas

due to poor water proofing system

or grouting

Maintenance on suspended

structures e.g. Marina Bay Sands

Pool

Single slab structure is suitable for

suspended structure for

maintenance purposes, dual slab

creates difficulty during the

maintenance procedure. Dual

water proof system is generally not

provided for suspended structures.

Triple water proofing systems not

provided for ground water

retaining systems

1 3 Low Moderate Low na na 2 10 6 Material / Finishes

Structural failure

Engage a qualified structural

engineer to identify the cause of

failure No replaceable system 0 1 Low Very High Low na na 250 4 Systems / Design

Lack of structural integrity

Reinforce structure by enlarging

structural elements or conduct

A&A (addition and alteration)

works to redesign building

structure

No replaceable system 1 1 Low Very High Low na na 250 4 Systems / Design

Rusting of steel reinforcement

Self Healing Concrete/ Sensors

within concrete to gauge concrete

performance

0 1 Low High High na na 250 4 Material / Finishes

Rusting of steel members No replaceable system 48 1 Moderate Moderate Low na na 150 4 Material / Finishes

Surface cracks No replaceable system 60 1 Moderate Moderate Low na na 150 4 Material / Finishes

Chipping, uneven surfaces No replaceable system 0 1 Moderate Low Low na na 150 4 Material / Finishes

Deterioration of paint coat

Scrape off old paint finishes,

repaint with 3 various layers of

paint/coats

No replaceable system 0 1 Low Low Low na na 150 4 Material / Finishes

Deterioration of galvanisation

If found to be non-structural

defects:

Prepare structure by removal of

layers of deteriorated galvanisation

layer and conduct patch surface

repair with new coat

No replaceable system 0 1 Low Low Moderate na na 150 4 Material / Finishes

na na 150 4

na na 150 4

na na 150 4

Fire Proofing Systems (accessibility

when it deterioriates/ require

maintenance)

Ensure all fire safety equipments

are in good working condition in

the event of an emergency

No replaceable system na na na na na na na 150 4 Accessibility

Structural failure

Follow up with repair/replacement

work as recommended by the

qualified engineer / consultant if

found to be structural defects

Conduct patch repair if found to be

non-structural or just aesthetical

defects

0 1 Low Very High Low na na 250 4 Material / Finishes

Lack of structural integrity

Follow up with repair/replacement

work as recommended by the

qualified engineer / consultant if

found to be structural defects

Conduct patch repair if found to be

non-structural or aesthetical

defects

0 1 Low Very High Moderate na na 250 4 Accessibility

Deterioration of protective coating

Follow up with repair/replacement

work as recommendation by the

qualified engineer / consultant if

found to be structural defects.

Conduct patch repair if found to be

non-structural or aesthetical

defects

0 1 Low Moderate Moderate na na 150 4 Material / Finishes

Biological deterioration (decay)

Engage a qualified structural

engineer to identify the cause of

failure

Follow up with repair/replacement

work as recommendation by the

qualified engineer / consultant if

found to be structural defects

Conduct patch repair if it was

found to be non-structural or

aesthetical defects

0 1 Low Moderate Moderate na na 150 4 Material / Finishes

Coring of holes, insect infestation

Follow up with repair/replacement

work as recommended by the

qualified engineer / consultant if

found to be structural defects

Conduct patch repair if found to be

non-structural or aesthetical

defects

0 1 Low High Low na na 150 4 Material / Finishes

Lack of provision of thermal

movement in the fixing system

resulting in oil canning

(deformation or buckling of sheet

material

Modify the supporting system to

allow for thermal movement No replaceable system 1 3 Moderate Moderate Low Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 4 15 8 Systems / Design

Unable to maintain

connection/joints due to lack of

provision for access to mechanical

connections.

Provision of maintenance access No replaceable system 1 1 Moderate Moderate High Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 4 15 8 Accessibility

Lack of primer before sealant

application and lack of inner

drainage system resulting in

leakage.

Remove the old sealant, and make

new seal. Clear the drainage

system. No replaceable system 1 1 Moderate Moderate Moderate Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 3 15 8 Material / Finishes

Lack of non-stain & non-bleeding

sealant resulting in staining of

facade.

Clean the dirt regularlyNo replaceable system 2 1 High Low Low BMU Provided by FM 3 15 8 Material / Finishes

Lack of adoption of UV-resistant

coating, e.g. PVF2 or PVF3 comply

with AAMA 2605 resulting in

surface discolouration.

Replace the defective panels No replaceable system 1 3 Moderate Low Low Panels - USD$30/m2 Panels - USD$30/m2 4 15 8 Material / Finishes

Lack of design for the supporting

system to accommodate building

movements resulting in surface

crack.

Fill the cracks with suitable putty,

and modify the supporting system

to accommodate the building

movements

No replaceable system 2 1 Moderate High Moderate Boom Lift - 20 meters $1,600/month 4 15 8 Systems / Design

Unable to maintain

connection/joints due to lack of

provision for access to mechanical

connections.

Provision of maintenance access No replaceable system 1 1 Moderate Moderate High Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 4 15 8 Accessibility

Lack of non-stain & non-bleeding

sealant resulting in surface

staining.

Clean the dirt regularly; or

adoption of open joint in design No replaceable system 2 1 High Low Low Boom Lift - 20 meters $1,600/month 3 15 8 Material / Finishes

Increased panel weight due to

water absorption resulting in

bracket failure.

Provide brackets capable to carry

additional weight due to water

absorption; or provide surface-seal

coating to reduce water

absorption.

No replaceable system 1 3 Low Very High Moderate Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 3 15 8 Material / Finishes

Unable to maintain mechanically

fixed stone/ tile cladding due to no-

provision of access to hidden

mechanical connections

Provision of maintenance access No replaceable system 1 3 High Moderate High Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 4 15 8 Accessibility

Efflorescence from water entering

between adhesive used to fix

stone/tile cladding to wall

Remove efflorescence with

pressure fresh water before it

combines with carbon dioxide.

Apply surface-seal coating to

reduce water absorption

No replaceable system 1 3 Moderate Low Remote Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 3 15 8 Systems / Design

Water stain on stones due to the

lack of application of stone sealer

Remove the stain by adoption of

cleaning agent particularly for

stone cleaning. Apply stone surface

protection coating.

No replaceable system 1 3 High Low Remote Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 3 15 8 Material / Finishes

Irregularity of façade surface's

plane resulting in water ponding,

penetration and staining problem. Minimise adoption of irregular

surfaceNo replaceable system 1 1 Moderate Moderate Low Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 4 15 8 Material / Finishes

Wall staining due to lack of details

to throw water off facade surfacesRegular cleaning.

No replaceable system 2 1 Moderate Low Remote Cleaning $3.50/m2 6 15 8 Systems / Design

Lack of using suitable paint

systems/ concrete sealers resulting

in short service life of the paint

Adoption of suitable paint systems/

concrete sealers that could

enhance weather protection and

lengthen the cyclical period

No replaceable system 2 1 Moderate Low Remote Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 4 15 8 Material / Finishes

Unable to maintain

connection/joints due to lack of

provision for access to mechanical

connections.

Provision of maintenance access No replaceable system 2 1 Moderate Moderate High Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 4 15 8 Accessibility

Lack of proper edge treatment as

per the manufacture's

recommendation resulting in

delamination.

Provide proper edge protection. No replaceable system 1 1 Moderate Moderate Low Boom Lift - 48 meters $8,500/month 4 15 8 Systems / Design

Usage of thin-skin products at

locations accessible for public

resulting in surface dents.

Replace the dented panels with

solid aluminium panels.No replaceable system 1 1 High Moderate Low Solid Aluminum panels USD$30/m2 4 15 8 Accessibility

Drumming effect when rain water

hits the panel surfaceAdoption of anti-drumming coats. No replaceable system 1 2 High Moderate Low Anti-Drumming coats $35/m2 4 15 8 Accessibility

MiDAS

No replaceable system

DATA COLLECTION CHECKLIST

2

2

2

Material / Finishes

SYSTEM RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM RELIABILITY MAINTENANCE COST

EX

TE

RIO

R E

NV

EL

OP

E

0 1 Low na na

Aesthetics,

Acoustic Barrier,

Thermal Barrier,

Weather Barrier

Removal of waste

water / grease

No replaceable system

Cladding

Aluminium Cladding

GFRC

(Glass Fibre

Reinforce

concrete)

Pre-cast

Concrete

Panel

Stone / Tile

Cladding /

Terracotta

tiles

Masonry Wall

Aluminium

Composite

panel (ACP)

Aluminium

sandwich

Panel

SU

PE

RS

TR

UC

TU

RE

Load bearing

Load bearing

Engage a qualified structural

engineer to identified the cause of

failure. If found to be structural

rectification process will be made

Engage a qualified structural

engineer to identify the cause of

Engage a qualified structural

engineer to identify the cause of

failure e.g. load bearing affecting

structural strength of the building

Replacement of parts when

identified to be minor spot defects

/ faults or non-structural failure

Weather

protection and

Aesthetics

Lack of integrity in structural joints

FO

UN

DA

TIO

N

No replaceable system

No replaceable system

No replaceable system

Treatment with appropriate

cleaning agent and coating -

Conduct spot repairs

Sub-Systems

Tanking system

Structural, RC of prestressed

Structural Concrete

Sewage System

Floor and wall finishes semi-

outdoor spaces (e.g. parking)

Water Retaining Structure

Concrete-steel composite

structures

MET structures

Load bearing

Construction intelligence

Building Science Research

BCA research grant: Co-PI 2017-18

Maintainability design appraisal system

MOE Tier 1 grant: Co-PI 2016-17

Tropical architectural elements

9 10Material intelligence

Fabrication Research

Continuation of research: 2017

Light installation based on a

voronoi cell distribution

Startup research grant: PI 2015-18

Laminated sheet assemblies: spatial

and structural properties of laminated

surfaces

11 12Composite materials + hybrid systems Michael Budig

Material Research

Continuation of research: 2017-18

Modular concrete formwork

assembled with flat panels (with Lujie

Chen and Larrry Sass) in combination

with timber-fabric composite frame

DManD research grant: Co-PI 2016-18

Robotic fabrication of 3d composites

Below: experimentation with fibre

reinforced wood beams

Mapletree industry collaboration:

PI 2017-18

Installation with recycled wood

planks for Mapletree Business City

13 14

VECTORVECTOR ROOFAPERTURE

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

V1

V2

V3

V4

V5

A5

A4

A3

A2

A1

A5

A4

A3

A2

A1

A5

A4

A3

A2

A1

A5

A4

A3

A2

A1 A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

V5

V4

V3

V2

V1

R5R4R3R2R1

A5

A4

A3

A2

A1

APERTURE ROOF

END HEIGHT

10m

SLOWHOUSE

HEIGHT

15m

7.5m

ANGLE: 324° INCLINE: 0°TILT: 67°

15m

HEIGHT: 7.5m

WIDTH: 8m

0°

5m

WIDTH

5m 10m

240°

HEIGHT

& WIDTH

7.5m

7.5m 10m

ANGLE

50°

60°

5m

INCLINE

60°

ANGLE

10m

HEIGHT

& WIDTH

WIDTH

INCLINE

5m

HEIGHT

10m

END ANGLE

& INCLINE

7.5m

7.5m 10m

30°

5m

7.5m

80°

-30°

END INCLINE

-60°60°

60°

10m5m

15m

0°

70°

END ANGLE

ANGLE: 324° INCLINE: 0°TILT: 67°

5m

240°

320°

15m

15m

280°

15m

20m

30° -30°

HEIGHT: 7.5m

WIDTH: 8m

HEIGHT

SLOWHOUSE

TILT

-60°

SLOWHOUSE

-30°

-60°

TILT

30°

280°

END HEIGHT

& WIDTH

320°

15m

HEIGHT

END WIDTH

VECTORVECTOR ROOFAPERTURE

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

V1

V2

V3

V4

V5

A5

A4

A3

A2

A1

A5

A4

A3

A2

A1

A5

A4

A3

A2

A1

A5

A4

A3

A2

A1 A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

V5

V4

V3

V2

V1

R5R4R3R2R1

A5

A4

A3

A2

A1

APERTURE ROOF

END HEIGHT

10m

SLOWHOUSE

HEIGHT

15m

7.5m

ANGLE: 324° INCLINE: 0°TILT: 67°

15m

HEIGHT: 7.5m

WIDTH: 8m

0°

5m

WIDTH

5m 10m

240°

HEIGHT

& WIDTH

7.5m

7.5m 10m

ANGLE

50°

60°

5m

INCLINE

60°

ANGLE

10m

HEIGHT

& WIDTH

WIDTH

INCLINE

5m

HEIGHT

10m

END ANGLE

& INCLINE

7.5m

7.5m 10m

30°

5m

7.5m

80°

-30°

END INCLINE

-60°60°

60°

10m5m

15m

0°

70°

END ANGLE

ANGLE: 324° INCLINE: 0°TILT: 67°

5m

240°

320°

15m

15m

280°

15m

20m

30° -30°

HEIGHT: 7.5m

WIDTH: 8m

HEIGHT

SLOWHOUSE

TILT

-60°

SLOWHOUSE

-30°

-60°

TILT

30°

280°

END HEIGHT

& WIDTH

320°

15m

HEIGHT

END WIDTH

Parametric design

Design Research

UROP research: 2017

Parametric variation of Diller Scofidio’s Slow House for

various climatic regions

3d printing research: 2017

Wood and steel particle printing

Research on the interface with human

anatomy: physiotherapeutical chairs for

children with hypertonia, various degrees

of support for leg spreading

Image by Diller Scofidio

15 16

line 4

line 3

line 2

line 1

55o 55o

28o 28o

57o57o

30o

line

8

line 7

line 6

line 5

Length

Bending Angle

Rotational Angle

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Top View (1: 10)

Front View (1: 10)

Length

Bending Angle

Rotational Angle

Digital fabrication

Transition from Research to Practice

SUTD Open House installation 2017

Fabrication of 175 pedestals as a

spatially less constraining alternative to

conventional exhibition cubicles. The

assembly is based on thin and actively bent

plywood sheets and requires zero screws

for assembly

Continuation of research 2017: assembly of thin sheets, application in

furniture design

17 18Construction processes Michael Budig

Section planes

Section planes

Elevation off ground 0.5m

Fixed glass panels

Window in L-frame steel

Fixed glass panels

Pilkington Profilit glass or similar

Concrete structural frame 300/300mm

Concrete shear wall

Window in L-frame, steel

Fixed galss panels

Entrance door steel panel

in L-frame steel

Floor finishing mastic asphalt

or trowelled concrete

Concrete slab 300mm

Modular cast concrete elements

Timber CLT or Glulam 120mm

Concrete cast in-situ 80mm

SCHEMATIC DESIGN / DRAFT 01

Architecture Practice

Continuation of project in practice:

Recipient of German Design Award 2018

Winner

Continuation of research 2017-18

Modular concrete formwork assembled

of flat panels (with Lujie Chen and Larrry

Sass). Application in combination with

a composite concrete-timber structure

and a skin of thin and active bent wood

panels

Continuation of research 2017-18

Deployable structures