Nicolas Kubail Kalousdian

University of Stuttgart, Faculty of Design

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About

Nicolas Kubail Kalousdian is a researcher working at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and architectural construction, with a particular focus on collective robotic systems and the manipulation of natural building materials. His work challenges conventional robotic construction paradigms by moving beyond standardized, predictable materials toward systems capable of handling variable, real-world construction inputs. Among his most significant contributions is the development of modular collective robotic systems that leverage building materials as functional components of the robot's own kinematic structure, as demonstrated in his 2022 paper that has garnered 18 citations. Complementing this, his research on machine learning-driven robotic manipulation of natural materials with variable properties — cited 15 times — pushes the frontier of adaptive construction robotics. His earlier work on co-designing material-robot construction behaviors laid conceptual groundwork for embedding material responsiveness directly into robotic decision-making. Kalousdian's broader research agenda, encapsulated in his "Designing [with] Machines" framework, advocates for task- and site-specific robotic systems tailored for in-situ architectural making. Collectively, his contributions are helping to redefine sustainable, low-cost construction by bridging computational design, robotics, and material intelligence.