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.

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Optimised placement and orientation of fibers to support earth 3d printed cantilevers in the wet state

The research aims to take an advantage of the knowledge from the past and integrate with today’s technology to construct novel and complex forms. The intention is to integrate fibers during the 3d printing process to support the cantilevers in wet state as well as find the optimized method to lay the fibers. This method … Read more

Fibre Reinforcement and Optimised Material Extrusion in 3D printed Clay Cantilevers to Improve Printability and Stability during Printing

Hypothesis Abstract Seen by some as a novel construction technique, earth 3D printing is a promising digital fabrication method trying to eliminate the transport of building materials as much as possible. The main biomaterial lies just beneath our feet: earth. Although large creative freedom comes with digital fabrication, many challenges that are specific to 3D … Read more

Network of ribs as free-form space enclosing

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 Via Geometry: Embedding Structural Intelligence within 3D Printed Vaulted Structures

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

Structural Assessments for 3d Printing Earth: 1:10 to 1:1

Nader Akoum 3d Printing Architecture Earth

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

Understandings of Earthen Matter for Extrusion

Nader Akoum 3d Printing Architecture Clay

Overview Every geographical location has its native construction material. Some of these materials may be used in their raw state or they can be mixed with other natural materials in order to improve their performance. Understanding Earth as a construction material and its compositions requires a technical study: deciphering the various soils and their individual … Read more

Architecture of 3d Printing Earth: ITKE’s Fiber Slabs & Speculation

Nader Akoum 3D Printing Earth Architecture

Overview The last exercise of the Techne chapter is labeled ‘Architecture’ seeing the intersectionality of thematic from the previous workshops: structural understandings, detail, wall-design, performativity, and other architectural attributes. The requested 10m by 15m 10-storey clay building was expected to accompany ITKE’s flax-fiber reinforced slabs. This collaboration merged the knowledge of both methodologies in order … Read more

Detailing for “Living Prototypes”

The first of the final three phases of the Techne, DETAIL, revolves around the collaborative project Living Prototypes (LP), which will be exhibited in Berlin’s AEDES museum in December 2022. LP, which has been in development for more than a year is a collaboration between three academic/professional teams: IAAC/WASP, ITKE/FIBR and CITA/COBOD.  One of the … Read more

Future of the construction sector is Bio-based

Nader Akoum 3d Printing Architecture Clay

A dialogue between various bio-based materials and constructive solutions tackles the transition from an idea to an actual product. Designing a hybrid structure and studying the interconnection between three groundbreaking constructive and structural methods – clay printed geometries, cellulose extrusions and flax-fibres slabs. Keywords: geometry & hybrid structure, generative curve period, mixed wooden joinery & … Read more

Machine. From design to production.

Kinetic explorations of the machine over a primary geometry in order to understand the principles and workflow of clay 3D printing on cylinder samples. Machine was an introductory workshop to introduce technologies, techniques, and materiality on deposition modeling and its implication in the design. With the setup of a standard form that could return in … Read more