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.
– Vision 2025/2026 3D printing is increasingly entering the construction industry, with many examples of printed houses and buildings already realised. Its appeal lies in clear advantages: automation, speed, reduced material use, and minimal waste, all of which lower construction costs. Beyond efficiency, however, 3D printing offers architects significant design freedom, enabling an architecture that … 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
A Family-Oriented Home While investigating demographics in Austin, we found that more than one quarter of the families there are single-parent households. Of these, the vast majority are single mothers. With these statistics in mind we arrived at three design considerations: the needs of a single parent household, Austin’s climate, and the unique constraints and … Read more
resiTONAK is a pioneering housing solution that reinvents student living, fusing affordability, sustainability, and community connectivity. With a module budget under $100,000 and a compact footprint of less than 400 square feet, resiTONAK sets a new standard for student living by using 3d printing to develop an architecture that responds to climate and challenges living … Read more
Table of Contents Abstract Design Previous Research : LIGHT [ AIR ] Tova vs Kibaha Porosity Compositional grid for Kibaha prototype Technical Challenges Material Recyclability Foundation & Cast Overhangs Edges condition Mesh grids Offsets Approach curves & curve order Ventilation Conclusion Abstract The relatively low mechanical strength of earth means that its use in traditional … Read more
Overview In the last week of Phase One TECHNE, comes Architecture, where we used “The light wall”, an earth 3D printed wall that uses light as a performative element, in the design of an architecture project. By modifying the geometry of the wall and analyzing the performance of light going through, we develop a strategy … Read more
Exploring Boundaries and Breaking Limits: A Glimpse into the Structural Design for 3D Printing Introduction In the inspiring journey through the 3D Printing Architecture (3DPA) postgraduate program, we delved into the enigmatic world of structural design specific to 3D printing during our recent workshop. Grounded in the principles of architecture and pioneering the forefront of … Read more
The TECHNE workshop of the 6th week was an exciting opportunity for 3DPA students to dive into the interaction between mass and lightness in earth-based construction. Traditionally, when we think of buildings made from earth, we imagine thick, heavy walls that don’t let much light through. With the introduction of 3D printing technologies, combined with … Read more
In this second Techne module we investigated the apparatus of fundamental shapes (such as a cylinder) to grasp the principles and processes of 3D printing with clay, and the parameters and the properties of both machine and materiality. Employing a standard framework that can manifest in variation of a cylinder, four research groups of 3DPA … Read more
Table of Contents — ABSTRACT To deal with the fifth façade, vernacular earth construction introduces different materials to cover horizontal spans. This switch of materials allows the earth to work primarily under compression, avoiding altogether the need to work against gravity and the intrinsic tension that horizontal elements require to be supported. This research follows … Read more
How can we print a multistory student housing facility using earth and what techniques should we use to cover the fifth facade? As 3dpa students studying in Barcelona, we found it quite difficult to find short-term housing in Poblenou with the amenities we required. Here is where we began, with the goal of providing accommodation for all short-term IAAC … Read more
Multiple-story 3d printed earth housing in Barcelona Introduction Milà Earth envisions an earth high-rise building located in Milà i Fontanals street on Vila de Gracia, a high-density neighborhood in Barcelona. An architectural proposal for student housing that aims for vertical densification of the central city. Focusing on using local materials and innovative cutting-edge building technologies, … Read more
Designing a small earth 3D printed structure with two or more support points that spans over a person and fits within one crane printing radius. The competition phase’s objective is to create a small, 3D-printed earth structure that can span a person, fits within a crane’s printing radius of 4 meters, and doesn’t require an … Read more
Presented is a proposal for building a 3d printed pavilion with biomaterials in Valldaura camp with the main challenge of covering a horizontal 3d printed surface. The project is part of an internal competition during the 3DPA 22/23 postgraduate studies. The winning proposal will be finally built. Several iterations were made as part of the … Read more
