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.
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
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
Perspective of Teixit – Source: Vesela Tabakova Design to Production A. Wall Axis and Segmentation Situated in Valldaura Labs, Caserolla Park, Barcelona, Teixit is a conceptual step towards a 3D printed living complex for the Mediterranean climate. It expands the existing TOVA bedroom pavilion by incorporating a kitchen and a living room. This space, serving … 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
3D Print Affordable Pocket Neighborhood ICON Initiative 99 Phase One Honorable Mention in the Student Category Problematic Statement In today’s urban landscape, digital nomads, engaged professionals, and couples face a growing challenge in securing affordable housing that aligns with their dynamic lifestyles. As the demand for affordable housing intensifies, the conventional housing market often falls … Read more
This research focuses on the exploration of vertical openings in 3D printed earthen walls. It seeks to answer the question: How to construct medium and large vertical openings in earth 3D printing, providing a maximum opening ratio while minimizing mass and material usage? The objectives of this research are:
The research focuses on investigating the integration of MEP integration systems (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) within 3D printed Earth walls. Through a comprehensive exploration of wall discontinuities and cavity design, we aim to understand how these design elements can be combined to achieve a seamless integration of MEP systems throughout both the design and construction … 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
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
As the world progresses towards sustainable development, the use of 3D printing technology in construction is gaining momentum. One such application is the use of 3D printing to construct earthen buildings, which has several advantages over traditional construction methods. Earthen buildings have been used for thousands of years and are known for their durability, low … Read more
At a time when additive manufacturing using earth becomes commercial and available for large scale services, earthen housing becomes more possible without the heavy maintenance required for challenges like spanning, drying, heightening, printing, and durability. A student earthen housing project in Barcelona could vary in many capacities depending on its context of deployment, and in … Read more
The competition proposal of a 1:1 3d printed arched clay vault should be characterized by feasibility in construction. To achieve feasibility, the design of the vault uses bended sheets of wood to carry arches, dwells on strong connections in the infills, and complies by site printing restrictions [4,500 meters of print length alongside a maximum … Read more
Aim Fifth facade Pavilion has been developed as a competition design proposal to be built in Valldaura camp using 3d printed earth to print an arched structure that would require extreme cantilevering of layers. The pavilion was a result of multiple iterations considering the design criteria like Printing tool path length , The WASP crane … Read more
What are the possibilities of enclosing a free-form space? The study reflects how geometry design will enhance the structural possibilities of increasing the maximum cantilevering degree of printing an enclosing surface. Applicability could be translated in printing projects above existent constructions and/or free-form developments. The research was coagulated into two distinct parts, the exploratory phase, … Read more
Rigidity: The extent to which an element is able to resist deformation or deflection under the action of an applied force. Abstract Architectural history contains numerous examples of vaulted structures built using a variety of design techniques and a range of materials, to serve or host different functions. One recurring function is the role of … Read more
Support & scaffolding during consolidation of clay printing are quintessential to push the boundaries and capabilities of earthen architecture because, with said added support, opportunities for large spans, high arches, aggregated arches, and other structural phenomena arise. The options invented over time are diverse and, regardless of the used material, they can be very insightful … Read more
Overview In 3d printing with earth, structural integrity is a factor that carries on from the onset of design until the finalization of the print itself. There are many tools that manifest the realization [pre-printing] and assessment [post printing] of structure in 3d printing. The purpose of these tools varies between the optimization of mass, … Read more
