The Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture is a 6-month long intensive programme in the field of additive manufacturing of sustainable architecture. Between the use of advanced technology for construction and the desire to develop a holistic design approach to architecture, we engage with different areas of research that include robotic manufacturing, material research and performance-based design. The programme seeks to develop technological and architectural solutions in collaboration with Industry partners to answer the current needs and challenges of our habitat.
A Living System in the Hills of Barcelona Nestled between rolling hills and the city, this 3D-printed, earth-built settlement revives Catalan traditions sustainably. The Masia, a historic Catalan farmhouse. Which is developed through additive earth construction using local soil and modern techniques. More than a settlement, it is a living system where visitors learn to … Read more
This academic year, the 3DPA program focused on the theme Performative Earth Construction, guiding the work from research to design and construction.Following the projects Tova and Texit pavilions, two enclosed spaces built on the Forest Campus, the aim is to explore how 3D printing with earth can be used on a larger scale while responding … Read more
The Artist’s House is designed for an artist couple and their two children. The house is divided into 3 main entities: the living area, the studio and the artist house, separated by a central patio. The studio accommodates two distinct spaces tailored to the needs of each artist. One is a sculptor and/or painter who … Read more
3DPA 2024-25 Faculty : Secil Afsar Guest Faculty : Amanda Rivera INTRODUCTION Matrix of material design strategy for 3DPA 2024-2025 ANALYSIS OF PREVIOUS YEARS Mixing strategies from the previous protoypes of 3DPA EXPECTED IMPROVEMENTS Matrix for default design strategies from previous years, and areas for future improvement MATTER RESEARCH Testing different matter mixes, and additives … Read more
Ventilation is a broad and complex field of study that is linked to heat, humidity, air density and geometry. As this project took place over a six week period we narrowed our focus to a small section of this field of study. The main concepts being intake typology, internal pipe length, and cross ventilation opportunities. … Read more
Research questions What role does the geometry of 3D-printed patterns play in reducing water erosion in earth walls? How do concave, convex, and flat patterns in 3D-printed walls differ in their ability to manage rainwater flow? Can we reduce the surface area we coat on 3d printed walls and how does this vary across different … Read more
Hypothesis: By integrating controlled extrusion and topological optimization into 3D printing processes, it is possible to significantly enhance structural efficiency, reduce material usage, and simplify toolpaths. By drawing insights from nature and leveraging data-driven design and analysis, this method enables the creation of structures that are lighter, stronger, and more resource-efficient. When applied to architecture, … Read more
Introduction – Hypothesis How can we optimize the geometry of different sections of a 3D-printed wall to adapt to varying levels of solar radiation and insulation requirements, while also reducing material usage and printing time? By deforming the infill patterns of 3D-printed earth walls, it is possible to optimize the thermal transmittance of the walls, … Read more
Hypothesis Optimizing Self-Shading in Clay 3D-Printed Geometries Methodology Incidence vector analysis:Using the position of the sun in Barcelona to simulate realistic shading.Evaluation of different vectors and orientations to identify optimal shading configurations.Geometric modification:Create geometric modifications according to vectors at a precise hour, 14:00 on 21 June and then at different hours 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00.Adjusting … Read more
The week of Teche 01 workshop focused on introducing students and part of the research team in the landscape of Valldaura. The team was in charge of gathering soil samples from different areas of the forest campus in order to compare different behaviors of the soil. Through a series of tests , each group showed … Read more
Techne 4 focuses on designing the print path for 3D Printing Architecture (3dPA). With a 45 mm print width, walls can include cavities, which save material, speed up drying, improve structure, and support climate control. These print paths are key features, not just “infill,” in large-scale earth 3D printing. Over time, three effective printing patterns … Read more
TECHNE: W3 – STRUCTURE workshop asks students to examine the structural behaviors inherent in 3D printing with clay and earth. Our goal for this week’s workshop was to print the tallest single and double surface structure that will be assessed against performance metrics such as toolpath length, print volume, print time, weight, collapse height, and … Read more
After exploring periods in 2D and their capacity to deform, promising periods were tested in 3D to mitigate certain climatic phenomena and achieve various climatic performances, such as heat storage capacity of matter, ventilation, self-shading, and daylight allowance. Heat Storage Capacity of Matter To test this, a catalogue of deformation along 3 different axes was … Read more
The Techne 02 machine workshop, is meant to introduced students and part of the research team into the different print methodologies of 3D clay printers. Part of the workshop explores different nozzle sizes, seam strategies, and even geometries, that can be created with a simple cylinder. The purpose is to explore height, and geometrical difference … Read more
In Valdaurra Labs, the design of 3D-printed earth walls needs to incorporate strategic grid/period deformations to optimize for natural light and ventilation. By adjusting the curvature and openings in these periods and grids, the structure allows for more sunlight to penetrate while improving airflow and maintaing the building cool. This strategic deformation allows for play … Read more
