HIVE PROJECT

Traditional Craftsmanship and Digital Innovation

The HIVE project is a 3D-printed masonry wall built by a team from the University of Waterloo in Toronto, Canada. Designed by SDI Interior Design for Investment Management Corporation of Ontario, the wall is made of 175 unique 3D-printed clay bricks, each designed with different openings to balance privacy and light transmission. The hexagonal aggregation of these units creates a structurally efficient form reminiscent of a honeycomb. The development process involved extensive testing of materials, designs and manufacturing techniques. The team combined traditional ceramic materials with advanced geometric design and robotic precision to achieve the final structure. This approach blends the principles of traditional ceramic craftsmanship with modern technology, allowing for new forms of material expression and geometric complexity in masonry construction.