VUILD Launches a Fabrication and Construction Service That Brings Challenging Designs for Architectural Interiors and Fixtures to Life

VUILD Inc. today launched “EMARF” (https://emarf.co/), a fabrication and construction platform. VUILD specializes in realizing interior spaces and timber architecture using computational design, and has worked on many projects with complex and challenging designs. To address industry challenges such as growing demand for architecture using domestic timber, and rising costs and delivery delays due to a shortage of craftspeople, we are providing a new platform that offers architects and interior designers end-to-end support from fabrication to on-site construction. EMARF supports designers’ creativity while enabling freer and more efficient architecture and spatial design.

● EMARF features and service overview: free expression becomes reality

EMARF is a fabrication and construction platform developed for architectural design firms and construction companies, specializing in the digital design of architectural interiors and fixtures. Leveraging the manufacturing network of ShopBot machines installed across Japan, it instantly converts design data into machining data. In addition to its existing service of delivering precisely machined parts to the site, it now offers new functions providing end-to-end support for finishing, assembly and on-site construction.

EMARF offers fabrication and construction in two ways according to users’ needs. The first is a “make it yourself” digital tool specialized for making furniture, fixtures and other objects, in which all processes can be carried out efficiently online. The second is to “request fabrication and construction” to realize complex, large-scale spatial designs. VUILD staff with specialized design engineering skills consult with you from the early stages of design and support everything from rough estimates and detailed design to fabrication and construction, providing a consistent service tailored to your budget and schedule.

● What you can do with EMARF

EMARF supports fabrication and construction in two ways, so designs can be realized flexibly and efficiently according to the scale and requirements of each project.

(1) Make it yourself

Upload the design data for your furniture or building components via the EMARF website, and a ShopBot location partnering with EMARF will machine them exactly according to the data and deliver them to the specified location. Everything from upload to delivery is completed online, so you can get the parts you want to make without stress. In addition, with the newly developed EMARF CAD (https://app.emarf.co/), you can easily design the joints required for fabrication.

・Supports DXF and STEP file formats, so data from familiar design tools such as Rhinoceros and AutoCAD can be imported and converted into fabrication-ready data (STEP file support coming soon).

・Joints such as half-lap and mortise-and-tenon joints, which take time to design, can be generated with a single click. Dimensions and offsets of automatically generated joints can easily be changed afterwards. Imported data can also be edited on EMARF.

・Using Node, you can design fixtures and furniture with adjustable dimensions and use them for prototyping. To support all kinds of makers, we plan to add structural analysis support in the future.

・Design data is costed instantly on EMARF, so you can consider specifications such as machining types and materials to fit your budget.

(2) Request fabrication and construction

Even designs that are difficult to fabricate and hard to budget for can be realized with EMARF’s fabrication and construction service. Simply consult us through the corporate inquiry form with perspective drawings or rough images attached, and we will promptly provide a rough estimate and offer end-to-end support for fabrication design, structural design, and fabrication and construction. We also handle fabrication using materials other than wood, such as metal, and by using 3D machining with a high-performance 5-axis CNC router, we make it possible to realize more diverse and complex architectural designs.

・Expanded construction support eliminates concerns about construction and makes uncompromising expression possible. Until now, EMARF has offered only precut machining at ShopBot locations across Japan, but going forward we will provide a consistent service covering finishing such as painting, assembly and on-site construction.

・You can choose from a variety of materials, centered on wood. We also plan to support other materials such as recycled plastic, acrylic and metal in the future.

● The challenges EMARF solves
EMARF is a platform developed for designers specializing in architectural and interior design. Behind it lie serious challenges facing the construction industry. The number of carpenters has roughly halved over the past 20 years to fewer than 300,000, and is projected to fall below 150,000 by 2040. This labor shortage and the resulting rise in labor costs have become a major barrier to free expression in projects that require advanced, complex machining.

EMARF aims to solve these challenges in the construction industry by leveraging cutting-edge digital technology. As a platform that seamlessly connects design and construction, it achieves automation through digital tools and improved productivity through digital fabrication. This reduces the burden on designers, such as high costs and delivery delays caused by labor shortages. Combined with design and technical support from staff specializing in design engineering, it also enables designers to express themselves more freely and realize complex projects. EMARF will continue to evolve as “a foundation that unleashes designers’ creativity,” opening up the future of the construction industry.

● EMARF fabrication factory tour

We are holding a tour of EMARF’s machining and fabrication factory, equipped with the 3-axis CNC router “ShopBot” and the high-performance 5-axis CNC router “Biesse.”

This is a rare opportunity to see a production site that makes full use of digital fabrication firsthand and experience cutting-edge machining technology. We look forward to your participation.

Date and time: Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 15:00–17:00

Location: VUILD Ebina Factory (1-7-24 Shimoechi, Atsugi, Kanagawa)

Capacity: Limited to 30 participants (please note that this is an operating factory)

▶︎ Register here

Come and experience the possibilities of the manufacturing floor!

◆ VUILD company profile

Representative: Koki Akiyoshi (CEO)

Founded: November 21, 2017

Capital: 100 million yen

Headquarters: unico 1F-A, 3-4 Nisshincho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa

Business: Architectural design, development and manufacturing of wood products, sales of CNC routers, digital talent development, business development support, IT service development

Corporate URL: https://vuild.co.jp/