Dr Qianbin Xu
Research Project:
Reconfigurable architecture through computational design: a flexible timber design system combining mortise-tenon joints and discrete timber blocks
Project description:
This doctoral research investigated how traditional Chinese mortise-tenon principles can be integrated with computational design to develop reconfigurable timber systems. Combining discrete design strategies, rule-based shape grammars, robotic milling, and augmented reality-assisted assembly, the research developed a flexible timber design system based on modular mortise-tenon components. Through a series of design experiments and prototype investigations, the study demonstrated the potential of computationally designed timber systems for reconfiguration, adaptability, and contemporary architectural applications.
Researcher biography:
Qianbin Xu holds a PhD from The University of Queensland, where his doctoral research focused on computational and generative design for digital timber construction. He also holds a five-year Bachelor of Architecture from China and a Master of Architecture from RMIT University, Australia. His research focuses on computational design, digital fabrication, robotic timber construction, augmented reality-assisted assembly, and reconfigurable timber systems.
Research interests:
Computational Design; reconfigurable and discrete architecture; combinatorial design systems; digital timber construction; mortise-tenon joinery; rule-based generative design; and digital fabrication
Principal supervisor:
Associate Professor Frederico Fialho Leandro Alves Teixeira
Journal Article:
Xu, Qianbin, Fialho Teixeira, Frederico, and Shafiei, Maryam (2026). Timber system with robotic milling and AR-guided assembly for reconfiguration. Construction Robotics 10 (2) 15 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s41693-026-00210-3
Conference papers:
Xu, Qianbin, Teixeira, Frederico Fialho, and Shafiei, Maryam (2025). Rule-based generative design principles for discrete mortise-tenon timber assemblies. 43rd Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2025), Ankara, Türkiye, 1–5 September 2025. Ankara, Türkiye: Middle East Technical University, Department of Architecture. https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.2025.2.195
Xu, Qianbin, Fialho Teixeira, Frederico, and Shafiei, Maryam (2024). Exploring rule-based discrete timber design with mortise-tenon joints. 29th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA 2024), Singapore, 20–26 April 2024. Hong Kong, China: The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia. https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.caadria.2024.1.313
Xu, Qianbin, Fialho Teixeira, Frederico, and Shafiei, Maryam (2023). Frameworks in flexible timber design systems combining mortise-tenon joints and discrete timber blocks. 41st Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2023), Graz, Austria, 20–22 September 2023. Graz, Austria: Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe. https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.2023.1.283
Book Chapter:
Teixeira, Frederico Fialho, Mashaly, Islam, Shafiei, Maryam, Xu, Qianbin, Zhu, Guanqi, and Karlovsek, Jurij (2024). Integrating digital twins in urban sustainability: a framework for university campus applications. Digital twin computing for urban intelligence. Edited by Saeid Pourroostaei Ardakani and Ali Cheshmehzangi. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Singapore.185-207.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-8483-7_9
Thesis:
Xu, Qianbin (2026). Reconfigurable architecture through computational design: a flexible timber design system combining mortise-tenon joints and discrete timber blocks. PhD Thesis, School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Queensland. https://doi.org/10.14264/ecc7e4b
Contact email:
qianbin.xu@uq.edu.au
External Profiles