July 8-10, UNSW, Sydney Australia

 

Preceded by the DigitalFUTURES 2026 Masterclass

July 6-8, UNSW, Sydney Australia

 

The architecture profession is embarking on an ambitious dual transformation—simultaneously moving towards digitalisation and circularity. Yet, the full integration of these two paradigms remains in its infancy. As one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, the built environment sector faces mounting pressure to address climate change, overcome low productivity, and mitigate workforce shortages. These challenges are compounded by industry fragmentation, heavy reliance on global supply chains, and the limited presence of research and innovation pathways.

The DigitalFUTURES 8th International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (DigitalFUTURES CDRF 2026) calls for the synthesis of digital and circular design practices to reimagine how the sector might operate within an interlinked ecological and computational framework. Under the theme ‘Circular Intelligence’, we invite research that explores how computational design, digital technologies, robotics, and advanced manufacturing can drive the circular transformation of the built environment.

We are thrilled to announce that in 2026 the ARC Centre for Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing (Arch_Manu ITTC) will host DigitalFUTURES CDRF 2026 and its associated Digital Futures Masterclass at UNSW in Sydney, Australia. Join us down under to exchange knowledge, prototype ideas, and shape the next frontier of a digitally enabled, regenerative construction future.

 

Research Topics

DigitalFUTURES CDRF 2026 provides a global platform for advanced research addressing Circular Intelligence in architecture. Topics covered by the papers include, but are not limited to, architecture theories, tools, methods and procedures in:

 

Circular Design: data analytics towards decision-making in design; harvesting data from past projects; enabling design processes to leverage data and automation towards sustainability outcomes; opportunities for IoT/VR/AR/MR/AI/ML/digital twin concepts to support circular transformation; overcoming legal, ethical, and/or commercial challenges of using design data within a circular economy.

 

Circular Construction: Digitally-augmented processes to support design for advanced manufacture; design and construction in a future-proof and climate-positive way using computational technologies; data-led approaches to Modern Methods of Construction; additive and subtractive manufacturing using a range of incumbent as well as circular or bio-based materials; development and testing of robotic systems for on-site de-construction of buildings; human-machine interaction / robotic de-construction and de-assembly.

 

Circular Systems: extrapolating future patterns and scenarios; effective strategies for enhancing circular collaboration; developing more efficient, reliable, and effective sector-wide circular workflows; reimagining Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operation business models for resilience and future-readiness; future of architectural education and training.

 

All papers identify which UN Sustainable Development Goals the research addresses.

 

Call for Papers

Deadline for Abstract Submission: December 15 2025

Notification of Abstract Acceptance: January 15 2026

Submission Deadline for Full Paper: 29 March 2026

Notification of Full Paper Acceptance: 30 April 2026

Submission Deadline for Revised Full Paper: 15 May 2026

Conference: 8-10 July 2026

 

Submission Guidelines

Papers are peer reviewed in two stages: the abstract and the full paper. Submissions must be original and cannot be submitted simultaneously to another journal or conference. We strongly prohibit plagiarism (including self-plagiarism). During the review process and prior to publication, the originality of the paper will be checked several times. Upon submission, all submissions will be reviewed by the Committee for quality, originality, and relevance.

Abstract: Approximately 600 words, including the title, 3-5 keywords, 1-3 figures, and key references.

Full paper: A maximum of 10 pages fitting the CDRF paper template, including the title, abstract, keywords, figures/tables/charts, and references. The paper template will be released during the full paper submission stage.

Format: PDF.

Language: English.

Submission address: https://easychair.org/conferences/ （To be updated）

 

Editorial Committee
Prof. Hank Haeusler (UNSW)
Dr. Dingwen ‘Nic’ Bao (RMIT)
Dr Ivana Kuzmanovska (UNSW)
Dr Christopher Bamborough (UNSW)
Dr. Yige Liu (Tongji University)
Prof. Philip Yuan (Tongji University)

 

Committee

Conference Chair: Prof M. Hank Haeusler, UNSW

Co-Chairs:

Prof Mark Burry, Swinburne University of Technology

Prof Jane Burry, Adelaide University

Prof Blair Kuys, Swinburne University of Technology

Dr Ivana Kuzmanovska, UNSW

Dr Nic Bao, RMIT University

Conference Secretary: Dr Farnaz Fattahi, UNSW

 

Registration Information

CDRF Conference

• $300 AUD per person

• $150 AUD student rate (valid student certification required)

 

Publication

In addition to being included in the EI, CumInCAD and SCOPUS index, accepted papers will be published by Springer in the Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF 2026).

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Previous Conference Proceedings

CDRF 2023

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-99-8405-3

CDRF 2022

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-19-8637-6

CDRF 2021

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-16-5983-6

CDRF 2020

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-33-4400-6

CDRF 2019

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-13-8153-9

Architectural Intelligence Journal (ARI)

https://www.springer.com/journal/44223/