Tec students learn about digital construction in New York

Some of the activities carried out by students from Tec de Monterrey during an academic trip to the University at Buffalo in New York included learning about advances and new tools focused on digital construction.

"We've been using the Global Classroom scheme for three years at the School of Architecture, Art, and Design, which means a Tec de Monterrey course is linked to an international university.

"In the case of this workshop, we'd already been collaborating with the University at Buffalo for some time via Professor Christopher Rumano, and it was he who helped us make this trip," explained Diego Rodríguez, Associate Dean of Faculty Development.

Students were able to learn about new construction processes and tools. Photo: Diego Rodríguez

Among the digital construction tools students were able to explore was the Water Jet cutting machine capable of going through a variety of materials.

"We had a demonstration of the tool, learned about its software, and how it accurately it can perform cuts on a steel beam.

"We were also able to learn about the functions of a robotic arm called KUKA, which is used to make construction more efficient by assembling panels and other functions," shared Juan Felipe Talamás, a professor at the School of Architecture, Art and Design.

"It was very interesting to see how architecture is incorporating these new manufacturing processes." - Juan Felipe Talamás

A total of 13 students from the Monterrey campus and 1 from the Guadalajara campus, all of whom are enrolled in the Advanced Architecture concentration, took part in the academic trip as part of Tec Week.

Tec Week is a Tec21 Model study unit in which students participate in an immersive experience that includes various activities focused on developing cross-cutting skills (social intelligence, communication, etc.).

Students also participated in a workshop on manufacturing using different materials at the university's Smart Lab.

The students visited various important buildings in the city. Photo: Diego Rodríguez

Descubren nuevas herramientas de construcción

In addition to the workshop, students also had the opportunity to make several visits to important architectural sites in the city, such as a house designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

They also learned about the Southside Precast company, which is renowned for using advanced technology in its constructions.

"The students' learning was highly focused on understanding how mass digital manufacturing is carried out.

"It was very interesting to see how architecture is incorporating these new manufacturing, packaging, and construction processes; it's all a bit like a puzzle," said Talamás.

"We've been using the Global Classroom scheme for three years at the School of Architecture, Art, and Design." - Diego Rodríguez

Preparing for collaboration agreement between institutions

Diego Rodríguez, Associate Dean of Faculty Development, explained that Tec de Monterrey is preparing to sign a collaboration agreement with the University at Buffalo.

"We're in the final stage of formalizing this collaboration agreement, which we hope to use to develop our relationship with the university.

"The agreement includes the possibility of academic exchanges for students and professors between both institutions," he explained.

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