Henriette Bier

Henriette Bier is an Associate Professor at Delft University of Technology's Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, where she leads the Robotic Building (RB) lab and is associated with the TU Delft Robotics Institute (DRI) and RoboValley. Her work focuses on integrating robotics, AI, and computational design into architecture, with applications spanning terrestrial buildings to extraterrestrial habitats on Mars and the Moon.

Dr. Bier graduated in architecture from the University of Karlsruhe in Germany (1998) and has taught at universities across Europe before settling at TU Delft since 2004. She completed her PhD on System-embedded Intelligence in Architecture in 2008 and has since coordinated numerous significant research projects including EU projects E-Archidoct and F2F Continuum (2007-10), 4TU projects RDCB/SP and Adaptive Joints/VS (2015-18), and NL-, ESA- and industry-funded projects CW4N, BCP Planetoid, and Rhizome 1.0 and 2.0 (2019-27).

Her research focuses on advancing robotics in architecture through Design-to-Robotic-Production-Assembly and -Operation methods. Recent publications demonstrate a sophisticated progression from terrestrial applications to extraterrestrial environments, particularly with Mars underground habitats and lunar architecture. Her work shows increasing integration of AI with robotic construction systems, with emphasis on autonomy and adaptability in extreme environments.

• Best Paper Award at FICTA 2024
• Best poster award at ISARC 2016
• Rhizome Project Award (2021)
• 4. Preis - BMW Erlebnis- und Auslieferungszentrum (2001)

Dr. Bier has successfully supervised 3 PhD students (2021-22) and currently co-promotes 6 PhD students, including Giuseppe Calabrese. She has secured significant research funding from ESA, EU programs, and industry partners for projects exploring the intersection of robotics, AI, and architectural design. Her work with the Robotic Building lab has resulted in numerous media features and practical applications in construction innovation.

She leads the Robotic Building lab with 4-6 researchers and technical assistants, focusing on developing autarkic design-to-robotic-production systems. The lab maintains active collaborations with Politecnico di Milano, Anhalt University, University of Sydney, Vietnamese German University, and Cornell University, creating a global network for advancing robotics in architecture.