A 225-Year-Old House Becomes an AI Lab for Robot Plasterers

A 225-year-old slate house in Solingen is getting a modern twist as it transforms into an AI and robotics lab. The owner, Aleksandra Konopek, is training a robot to plaster ceilings with clay—a move aimed at cutting health risks for construction workers. The project highlights how automation could soon change the way buildings are renovated. The robot, still in training, has already shown progress. On its second try, it managed to apply clay to the ceiling. Its ultimate goal is to scan surfaces independently and fix imperfections with plaster. For now, it can hold a trowel but needs further refinement to spread clay smoothly over uneven areas.

Construction has long relied on traditional methods, with robots facing hurdles like high costs and industry resistance. Yet experts, including digitalisation specialist Arnim Spengler, believe change is coming. He argues that robots will gradually become more common on building sites as technology improves and labour shortages persist.

Germany’s ageing housing stock adds urgency to the shift. With nearly 20 million residential buildings—60% constructed before 1980—the country faces a massive renovation challenge. Beyond plastering, the robot could eventually handle tasks like painting, asbestos removal, and facade work, offering safer and more efficient solutions. The Solingen project demonstrates how robotics could ease the strain on skilled workers while tackling large-scale renovations. As costs drop and labour gaps widen, such innovations may soon play a bigger role in construction. The next step is perfecting the robot’s ability to work autonomously on uneven surfaces.