Construction Tech

The Story of Two Architects & Automated Architecture, Redefining Home Construction

Jun 13, 2025 | By Kailee Rainse

In 2019, two architects and educators, Mollie Claypool and Gilles Retsin, decided to step beyond the academic walls of the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London, where both were associate professors.

After years of research, long conversations, and a shared sense of urgency, they launched a startup that had one clear goal—to rethink how homes are built. That's how Automated Architecture (AUAR), came into being.

The Spark For Automated Architecture

The idea for Automated Architecture (AUAR)wasn't born out of pure ambition—it came from a real problem staring them in the face.

The UK was grappling with a serious housing crisis. Homes were too expensive, took too long to build, and left a heavy carbon footprint. On top of that, there was a growing shortage of skilled labour in construction, which made the whole process even slower and costlier.

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Concept To Creation: Tech To Innovation

Mollie and Gilles knew there had to be a better way. They also knew technology held the key. They had spent years exploring how artificial intelligence, robotics, and data-driven design could influence the world of architecture. But now, they weren't just experimenting—they were ready to build something real.

Together, they imagined a future where homes could be constructed faster, more affordably, and in a way that actually helped the environment. Their solution was rooted in timber, one of the most sustainable materials available, and in smart, scalable technology that could bring down costs and speed up the process without compromising on quality. This is how Automated Architecture (AUAR) was born in 2019.

AUAR: Redefining Home Construction

Automated Architecture (AUAR) builds timber houses differently. Instead of setting up large, centralized factories, the company developed robotic micro-factories that could be rented by local construction firms.

These compact, flexible factories can produce key parts of a house—walls, ceilings, floors—within just 12 hours. Because everything is precisely automated, the need for on-site labour drops by nearly 75 percent. For the builders, it means less time and lower costs. For the future homeowner, it means a faster, more affordable, and environmentally friendly home.

All of this is made possible by AUAR's AI-powered software that manages the entire process—from design to production—bringing automation and consistency at every step. Because these homes are made from timber and require less energy during construction, the carbon emissions are also significantly reduced.

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A Gap To Sustainable Homes

Mollie and Gilles found a way to address multiple problems at once—housing shortages, environmental concerns, rising costs, and lack of skilled labour—with one intelligent, tech-first solution.

But AUAR's vision doesn't stop at one city or country. The company has a bold roadmap. By 2030, they aim to install 40 micro-factories across Europe and North America. With this network, they plan to produce over 75,000 energy-efficient homes every year. It's a future where construction is no longer limited by scale, where technology empowers local builders to meet the growing demand for sustainable housing.

The Road Ahead For AUAR

To fuel this vision, AUAR is using its funding wisely. The company is strategically investing in expanding its hardware capabilities, growing its licensing network, and building a strong team.

They are also focused on refining their software, deploying cutting-edge automation tools, and developing next-generation timber house prototypes that can raise the bar for quality and design. Every investment decision is made with one question in mind—how can we make housing faster, more affordable, and better for the planet!

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From Lecture Halls To Robotic Factories

What makes AUAR's journey so inspiring is that it began with two people who didn't wait for someone else to fix a broken system. They looked at the challenges around them and built a solution that didn't just work—it scaled.

From lecture halls to robotic factories, Mollie and Gilles have shown what's possible when innovation meets purpose. They converted a major industry pain point into an opportunity for change and built a multimillion-dollar company, all while remaining focused on a clear and grounded mission: creating fast, affordable, and eco‑friendly homes for everyone.

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