Exploring the Intersection of Making, Technology, and Sustainability in Architecture

For Ruffalo, that fellowship has been a transformative opportunity. Daily work in the School’s Fabrication Workshop—a fully equipped 11,000 square-foot space housing woodworking, metalworking, assembly, and digital equipment—has exposed him to advanced tools and machines he might never have encountered otherwise, fueling his growth as a maker and a future architect technically, creatively, and professionally.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity, and it has completely reshaped my graduate school path,” he shared.

Beyond his technical skills, the fellowship has also strengthened his communication and teaching abilities. In that role, he not only needs to fully understand fabrication concepts and processes, but he also needs to explain them clearly to his fellow students. Those moments have helped him develop into a better tutor and further honed his own skills as a designer and maker.

After some time, Ruffalo found that the countless hours spent in the Fabrication Workshop were starting to shape his academic interests—he had begun to gravitate toward courses focused on making and fabrication. Thus far, these have stood out as highlights among his graduate school experiences.

At the start of the fall 2025 semester, Ruffalo’s growing passion for fabrication work led to a unique independent study opportunity. Fascinated by 3D printing workflows for architectural fabrication, he had been diving deeper into the possibilities offered by advanced tools within the Fabrication Workshop. One of those tools particularly captured his interest—the Kuka robotic arm.

Recognizing his talent and enthusiasm, Julia Hunt, director of digital fabrication and clinical assistant professor, offered to lead an independent study for Ruffalo so he could develop his proficiency with the robotic arm. Under Hunt’s mentorship, he has mastered programming and operating of the arm, using those skills to explore potential applications of its functionality.

“Working with Julia has been incredibly valuable,” Ruffalo reflected. “Her knowledge of fabrication and design has shaped the way I think about making and how I approach design.”

Throughout the semester, he’s run a wide range of experiments: exploring parametric generation of wall sections and infill patterns using both digital tools and physical testing; creating a series of 2D drawings where the robotic arm draws a layer from a 3D print in order to better visualize and simulate toolpaths; and using long-exposure photography to capture the movement of a 3D toolpath in space, simulating a full-scale print.

“Nathan is certainly adept and curious when it comes to new tools and technology,” Hunt shared. “He brings excitement to each session with the robot arm, ever invested in trying out the skills he has learned and applying them to his research. Over the course of two semesters, he has progressed to a point where he is able to run the robot arm confidently and independently. It has been a joy to work with him and facilitate his investigations.”

A recurring theme in his independent-study work has been the balance between craft and automation. Through workflows that integrate 3D scanning, digital modeling, and robotic printing, Ruffalo has been exploring how robotic tools can reinterpret or preserve handcrafted artifacts.

“The robotic arm is incredibly versatile since it can hold a wide range of custom end-effectors, move in multiple axes, and perform non-planar movements, which other machines cannot match. This opens up new opportunities for exploration.”

The potential impacts of robotics on important sustainability efforts in the architectural field are not lost on Ruffalo. He notes that robotic systems offer a level of precision, efficiency, and repeatability that can significantly reduce material waste and optimize the use of resources.

This approach can also improve the safety and speed of work by taking on repetitive or physically demanding work, arguably freeing humans to focus on tasks that require creativity or craft. While he acknowledges that robotics aren’t the answer for every problem, when used intentionally, they can be a powerful tool to support more sustainable building practices.

“These possibilities are a big inspiration for me,” he observed. “I’m fascinated by the technology and the possibilities it holds for architecture. Thinking about finding a more efficient and sustainable method of production has been one of the driving forces for my research work so far.” 

As Ruffalo prepares to graduate this spring, he notes how his experience at UB has impacted the evolution of his career ambitions over time. While he once imagined himself in a role focused on building design, his time at the School has shown him the creative possibilities that can emerge when fabrication meets design. He hopes to land a role that will allow him to continue working on creative, technical, and innovative projects.

“Regardless of where I go, I plan to continue pursuing my interests in fabrication after graduation,” he emphasized. “I’ve always enjoyed designing and building, both digitally and physically, and that’s something I’ll continue to carry with me.”