Rui Xue Multi-Hall, Tongji University
- Dec 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Winner of the RIBA Asia Pacific Awards – AI Powered Design
Architecture at the Intersection of Nature, AI-Driven Design and Robotic Construction
The Rui Xue Multi-Hall, designed and built by the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University, is a landmark experimental pavilion that demonstrates how artificial intelligence, parametric design, robotics, and advanced fabrication can converge to produce architecture deeply rooted in cultural meaning and environmental sensitivity.
The project was recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as a winner of the RIBA Asia Pacific Awards in the category AI Powered Design, highlighting its pioneering contribution to contemporary architectural practice.
Concept: Architecture Inspired by Snow and Landscape
Located in a rural setting near Chengdu, Sichuan Province, the pavilion’s name “Rui Xue” refers to a traditional Chinese saying meaning “auspicious snow heralds a good harvest.” This idea is translated architecturally into a soft, flowing roof form reminiscent of melting snow, gently resting within the landscape.
Rather than imposing a rigid structure, the design carefully negotiates existing trees and terrain. The pavilion is conceived as a semi-open public space, where interior and exterior dissolve into one continuous spatial experience, allowing nature, light, and airflow to become integral architectural elements.
AI-Driven Structural Design
At the core of the project lies a computational design workflow that integrates artificial intelligence and physics-based simulations.
The roof geometry was generated using particle-spring simulations, optimising the structure to work primarily in pure compression, similar to natural shell systems.
This approach allowed the designers to achieve material efficiency, structural stability, and expressive form simultaneously.
The final configuration consists of 24 parametrically defined arches, each uniquely adapted to site conditions and load paths.
The result is a structurally intelligent form where geometry, material behaviour, and construction logic are inseparable.
Robotic Fabrication and Digital Construction
The pavilion showcases a fully digital chain from design to fabrication:
More than 1,200 unique laminated timber elements were robotically fabricated, each precisely calculated for orientation, angle, and structural role.
Timber members were rotated at a specific 16.1° angle, enabling a recursive structural system that distributes forces efficiently across the shell.
Assembly feasibility was tested digitally before fabrication, reducing on-site uncertainty and waste.
In addition, the roof envelope consists of 386 large-scale 3D-printed polymer panels, produced using robotic additive manufacturing. These panels are lightweight, waterproof, and significantly reduce the need for traditional formwork.
Precision Assembly on Site
Construction on site relied on digital surveying and robotic positioning techniques:
Total stations were used to position steel ring elements and timber joints with sub-millimetre accuracy.
The integrated workflow reduced a conventional seven-stage construction process to just three streamlined stages, improving efficiency and coordination.
The approach demonstrates how digital construction methods can bridge the gap between experimental design and real-world building delivery.
Sustainability and Cultural Impact
Beyond technological innovation, Rui Xue Multi-Hall is a cultural and environmental statement:
The project prioritises local materials, notably engineered spruce timber.
Material usage is optimised through computational analysis, minimising waste.
The pavilion supports rural revitalisation, providing a flexible communal space for education, events, and cultural activities.
Rather than treating technology as an end in itself, the project positions AI and robotics as tools to reinforce ecological awareness, craftsmanship, and social value.
Why This Project Matters
Rui Xue Multi-Hall represents a new architectural paradigm, where:
AI augments human creativity rather than replacing it
Robotic fabrication enables complexity without inefficiency
Architecture reconnects with landscape, culture, and community
Its recognition by RIBA confirms the project’s relevance not only within Asia-Pacific, but also within the global discourse on the future of architecture, digital construction, and sustainable design.
Sources & References
RIBA – Project Page:
RIBA – AI Powered Design Awards Overview: https://www.riba.org/explore/awards/international-awards/
Tongji University – College of Architecture and Urban Planning:
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