RADICANT
RADICANT
Pioneering Sustainable Biopolymer Architecture
The project, developed by the Centre for Information Technology and Architecture (CITA) at the Royal Danish Academy, explores the use of biopolymer composites derived from agricultural waste streams to create a 3D printed wall paneling system. The composite material consists of bone glue, a by-product of the meat industry, combined with cellulose fibres from various waste streams. The mixture is robotically 3D printed into filigree leaflike patterns. Due to the thermoplastic properties of bone glue, the material can be reactivated and reshaped by localised heating, facilitating processes such as repair, refurbishment and recycling. Such adaptability supports the principles of circular design by allowing the material to be reused and reconfigured, thereby extending its life cycle and reducing waste. Radicant was part of the Living Prototypes exhibition at Aedes Architecture Forum in Berlin from 10.12.2022 – 25.01.2023.
3D PRINTED FILM STUDIO
3D PRINTED FILM STUDIO
3D printing and lighting fusion
In 2023, designer Philipp Aduatz, in collaboration with set designer Dominik Freynschlag and 3D concrete printing manufacturer incremental3d, developed the world’s first 3D printed film studio for the Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries Group. The studio features a concrete wall constructed from 60 individual segments, each produced using a special white cement-based mortar. These segments are assembled into a structure measuring 630 cm in width, 330 cm in depth, and 230 cm in height, with a total weight of 3,500 kg. The wall incorporates 14 horizontally inserted LED strips, each matching the thickness of the 3D printed layers. All LED elements are integrated into the studio’s lighting system via computer-aided control, enabling an almost unlimited number of color combinations. By combining 3D printing with smart LED technology, the project demonstrates a novel approach to studio design, offering new possibilities for creating unique atmospheres and enhancing the versatility of film production environments.
InNoFa-DEMONSTRATOR
InNoFa-DEMONSTRATOR
Individual node facades
The FLEX research group at the University of Applied Sciences Leipzig (HTWK) and the Laserinstitut Hochschule Mittweida (LHM) have developed the InNoFa2.0. The single-node façade component is manufactured using a new large-volume powder bed-based 3D printing technology that combines technologies from different additive manufacturing processes. These features greatly increase the material turnover during the process, reduce the printing time and lower the material costs. This technique holds great potential for larger components. The InNoFa2.0 demonstrator is based on the ParaKnot3D concept, a hybrid construction that combines straight rods and individual knot elements to create optimised free-form structures.
THE WAVE HOUSE
THE WAVE HOUSE
Europe’s largest 3D printed building
Europe’s largest 3D printed building, the Wave House Data Centre, was inaugurated in Heidelberg, Germany, marking a major milestone in innovative construction. The project, developed by PERI 3D Construction and HeidelbergCement, used COBOD’s BOD2 3D construction printer to build the structure. A key design challenge was overcome by architects SSV and Mense Korte, who incorporated a unique wave design into the walls. Such intricate wave-shaped walls would not have been possible using conventional construction methods, so 3D printing was chosen for its design flexibility. The building demonstrates the potential of 3D printing to create complex, energy-efficient structures and provides a scalable solution for future data centre developments.
STRESS-BASED DESIGN
STRESS-BASED DESIGN
For 3D concrete printed horizontal structures
DLightBeam+ is the second iteration of the 3DLightBeam research project, which aims at combining computational design with the freedom of shape provided by the 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) technology to challenge conventional reinforced concrete structures by exploring new design solutions for carbon-efficient concrete beams. 3DLightBeam+ enables structurally reliable load-bearing printed beams with carbon reduction through multi-hierarchical stress-based design optimization. 3DLightBeam+ is shape-optimised to maximise bending capacity while reducing weight. Its internal infill design is inspired by the layout of the structure of bones, to work in pure compression and tension. A high-resolution material deposition is achieved by data-driven robot control, allowing us to deploy concrete and steel reinforcements only where needed, avoiding material inefficiencies. The structure can be applied in existing construction sites and, at this stage, reduce concrete CO2 emissions by 19.3 %.
TIFFANY FAÇADE
TIFFANY FAÇADE
Coral-inspired 3D-printed façade
The Tiffany & Co. store façade designed by MVRDV features a coral-inspired screen, 3D printed using recycled plastic thanks to the assistance of Amsterdam-based company Aectual and Milan-based engineers BUROMILAN. Using the patterns seen in Singapore’s coral reefs as a guide, the team designed a screen to cover the store’s façade with an organic, cell-like pattern. 3D printing experts developed a process to produce the 50 millimetre thick screen using recycled plastic, including reclaimed and recycled fishing nets. By making use of this unusual source of recycled plastic, the design not only draws inspiration from the oceans, but also plays a part in protecting them. A particularly challenging task was to meet the stringent regulations for fire safety required in an airport, solved by adding a chemical to the mixture that is also manufactured using seawater.
CERAMIC HOUSE
CERAMIC HOUSE
A facade inspired by knitwear
Through a creative interplay of 3D printed ceramic tiles and imaginative design, Studio RAP fused tradition and modernity, drawing inspiration from knitwear and the city’s rich ceramic heritage. The building’s facade is made up of 225 unique tiles – 3D printed ceramic tiles that mimic the appearance of rippling textiles. Fired at high temperatures to ensure durability and weather resistance, the tiles were produced using a clay 3D printing process, with each tile taking approximately two hours to print. The wavy, textile-like texture of the tiles was achieved by precisely controlling the layering during the printing process, creating a three-dimensional effect that enhances the visual depth of the façade and integrates seamlessly with traditional construction methods.
WOHN HOMES
WOHN HOMES
Redefining sustainable housing in 3D printing
WOHN A/S pioneers sustainable housing through advanced 3D printing, repurposing waste wood, glassfiber, and plastic for affordable, sustainable homes. Each 20m² home reuses 3 tons of waste, reducing CO2 emissions by 90% compared to traditional construction methods. The technology ensures high-quality, customizable designs without added costs, empowering homeowners to personalize spaces sustainably. These homes last over 60 years, designed for efficient recycling at their lifecycle’s end, reflecting WOHN’s commitment to sustainability.
THE EGGSHELL PROJECT
THE EGGSHELL PROJECT
Giving new life to biowaste
MANUFACTURA, a Mexican design studio, has launched ‘The Eggshell Project’ with the aim of transforming organic waste into sustainable building materials. With food waste accounting for a third of global production, this project seeks to address both environmental and socio-economic issues by reusing discarded eggshells. The project focuses on using these eggshells in combination with bio-binders to create bioceramic bricks, eliminating the need for traditional firing processes. The mixture is 3D printed into various geometric shapes, resulting in building components suitable for a variety of architectural applications. The research led to the development of two primary structures: the Eggshell Wall, made up of 105 unique blocks that are assembled based on their geometry, and the Eggshell Column, made up of 26 interlocking pieces that provide stability through their shape. The eggshells used were collected over two months from various restaurants in Mexico City, ensuring a 100% sustainable and circular process. By integrating computer-aided design with digital manufacturing, the project demonstrates the potential to transform organic waste into valuable building materials.
3DNATURDRUCK
3DNATURDRUCK
Biocomposite Reciprocal Canopy
The project explores 3D printing in combination with annually renewable natural fibres, focusing on material development, structural analysis, fabrication methods and the application of this material-based technique to architectural design. Specifically, the study investigates the use of 3D printed natural fibre reinforced filaments in different architectural contexts, tested through a series of demonstrators addressing different design challenges. The structure was fabricated using a lightweight short fibre filament composed of wood fibres and bio-based PLA. As the material was developed specifically for this project, extensive testing was carried out to inform the digital simulations and to ensure the integrity of the structure. These tests have been instrumental in refining the printing process and validating the performance of the material for architectural applications. The project lays the groundwork for the integration of natural fibre-based 3D printing in construction.
