Going Above and Beyond: The New Ideals Behind 3D Printed Architecture
When Johannes Gutenberg developed the printing press, humanity took over the 2nd Dimension. With the recent rise of 3D printing, our ideas are growing ambitious by the minute. Architectural projects and organizations worldwide have adapted to use 3D blueprints and create complex yet accessible homes designed for both the present and the future.
What is 3D Printed Architecture?
Before delving further into this topic, it is first necessary to understand the concept of 3D-printed Architecture. In most cases, a 3D-printed architecture is a large-scale structure created using an enlarged 3D printer. The 3D printer uses a digital model to create a structure by printing a paste-like material, layer by layer.
The printer consists of two parts: a robotic arm for dispensing the material and a track allowing the arm to move around on its predetermined path. Before entering the arm, a material is heated to have a near-liquid consistency and squeezed through an incision on the robotic arm where desired. When the mixture solidifies, a second layer is applied. This process repeats until all of the model elements are printed. Many 3D printers today can run through this entire process in less than 24 hours.
So, why is this method so revolutionary? For several reasons. Not only is it much more efficient than traditional means of construction, but it also minimizes material waste and can create larger structures much faster than on-site development. It is also adaptable in countless ways, from creating high-end luxury houses to building affordable housing for communities without shelter. The additive advantage of 3D printed architecture is that all models are scalable to the required size, and the materials can be recycled when issues arise with the printed model.
Countless architects have also adapted this approach to create models to showcase possible designs, which is significantly easier than constructing models from glue and cardboard.
What does it cost to build a 3D Printed house?
The cost of a 3D-printed house depends strongly on the size of the project and the materials used. According to Matthew Urwin, developers worldwide report saving up to 30 percent on construction costs when using 3D technology.
There is a certain duality within 3D printing that is hard to overlook. On one hand, organizations such as ICON, a 3D-printing company, produce moderately-sized housing for as low as $4,000 in less than a day. On the other hand, some projects can reach astronomical sizes and prices, with costs as high as 1 million dollars.
Due to this endless potential of 3D printing, several architectural projects have been under development in the past several years engaging that idea.
Examples of 3D Printed Architecture
The MX3D Bridge
Even though 3D printing is mainly pioneered within the housing industry, projects such as the MX3D bridge prove that the true extent of 3D modeling reaches far beyond traditional housing. This bridge puts the Arch in Architecture.
The MX3D is a fully functional stainless steel bridge constructed across one of Amsterdam's oldest canals. The bridge is 12 meters long and assembled out of stainless steel. Sensors are implemented in the bridge's design to monitor its strain, displacement, and vibrations. They allow the designers to learn more about how the bridge reacts to increased load, thermal fluctuations, and structural integrity.
The MX3D approach to the building directly involves industrial robots printing the construction, using purpose-built tools and especially developed software systems. The shape of the bridge consists of rigid shapes that are not likely to give it weight, making it perfectly safe for crossing. The purpose of the bridge is not only to provide pedestrians with a way of crossing the canal but also to demonstrate the capabilities and opportunities that come with 3D-printed infrastructure.
Project Milestone
While the MX3D project aims to build bridges, project Milestone, also situated in the Netherlands, is an innovative project hoping to challenge the construction of housing estates. The initial proposal for 3D printed houses was in 2021, and their designs have developed significantly since then. They are planned to hit the market in mid-2025 and set a new standard for comfortable living.
The original design was created by Houben and Van Mierlo architects, striving to make the building timeless and embracing the qualities of 3D printing. There are, in total, five house designs, each with different experimental elements. The first was printed as the initial proposal, and the final four homes will individually consist of two and three floors. All models are equipped with load-bearing interior walls and multi-functional exterior walls, as stated by the official 3DPrintedHouse website.
One advantage of 3D printed housing, apparent within Project Milestone, is that the prefabricated robotic process of 3D concrete printing offers perks for architectural construction. This is especially important in an age where few skilled workers are available. 3D printing can help finish architectural projects on time, within budget, and without wasting concrete in unnecessary areas.
BioHome 3D
To combat labor shortages and supply chain issues, the University of Maine organized a project to develop affordable housing. Designed and manufactured as a part of the SM²ART Program between the University of Maine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the BioHome 3D project is a renewable and highly versatile structure printed using the world's largest Polymer Printer at the ASCC.
Each house consists of separate modules for simple transport and operation where necessary. This limits the time required for on-site construction, making it easier to plan out the quality standards way beforehand.
The material used for the house is 100% locally sourced wood fiber and resin developed by the SM²ART Program, which makes it accessible to the general public. Similarly, resin makes the house easy to create using automated manufacturing. The material used, Cellulose Nanofiber(CNF), is nano-refined, wood-derived, and functions as the world's most advanced nanofiber. Cellulose nanofiber is considered a remarkable engineering material due to its high abundance, low weight, high strength, stiffness, and biodegradability. This material enables the BioHome3D project to balance quantity with quality and ensure efficiency across all levels.
Similar projects open the gateway for other biodegradable and sustainable housing options, which will only gain traction as this technology develops.
Mense-Korte
The Mense-Korte project, situated in Germany, used a new type of concrete pressure process to build 160 m2 worth of living space over ten months. The product of their work is a single-family, 3D-printed house with a sophisticated design and countless applications. The 3D-printed house, constructed in Beckum, North Rhine-Westphalia, has been open to visitors since August 2021. The project received an Innovation Award 2021 for Building & Elements.
The project is led by Mense Korte Architekten & PERI 3D Construction. The design was driven with printing in mind: the house consists of elliptical or curved shapes, which are much easier to print than hard corners. The interior comes with pre-equipped customized furniture to ensure proper ergonomics for its residents. All materials used in printing are recycled and comply with German high energy efficiency standards. An integrated ventilation system and heating mats propose a simple solution for regulating interior temperature. It is clear that the project was made with materials, energy efficiency, and sustainability all in mind.
Conclusions
The world is changing, and so is architecture. Developments will come, and some aspects of traditional design will have to go. However, it is clear that when creators embrace change, they can create exceptional projects. One such development is 3D-printed architecture. It may be hard to let go of our old values, but using the new should only bring us closer to living a comfortable life.
