3D Printed Architecture

By: Stephen Lauer

            One of the leading firms in the world right now in 3D printing architecture is WinSun Global. They currently have been focusing on housing projects such as homes and apartment buildings that are built using printing methods. Their current methods use all recycled materials from construction wastes and other industry waste.[1] By using wastes it allows for them to mostly have a nearly endless supply of material due to current construction methods. The primary material used by WinSun Global’s design is concrete due to the availability of waste material produced. The 3D printer uses a traditional additive printing method which is when one layer of material is added at a time to produce the finished model. This method works extremely well with concrete due to the availability of it and the thicker viscosity of concrete allows the walls or floors to setup quick enough to hold the shape but still allows for some manipulation if needed. The other advantage of concrete is the strength of concrete is very high and allows for a large amount of load to be placed on it and still retain its properties. A disadvantage of concrete is the weight of it is very high and requires additional machinery and laborers to install the components. WinSun Global gets around needing to assemble these pieces in some of their designs by printing the structure as one piece and then shipping it to its location or simply printing on site with their large printer. WinSun Global has done research and testing and now uses a special concrete material that in the end is roughly 50 percent lighter than average construction material.[2] One of their current projects is to print a series of office buildings. The printer will not only print the entire shell and structure but also will print all interior finishes along with the furniture to be used. WinSun Global is taking their printer to the site to print these buildings where they will be used at and the printer will print all the finishes and furniture in place as the building is being built.[3] By creating a building and its furnishings to be entirely 3D printed it allows for everything to be done at once and basically completely cut out all laborers needed on a construction site. This also means that there is no need for companies to manufacture furniture or finishes if they can be printed along with the building or printed and installed in the building later.

http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150118-winsun-builds-world-first-3d-printed-villa-and-tallest-3d-printed-building-in-china.html

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[1]盈创-3D打印 建筑未来. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17, 2015, from http://www.yhbm.com/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=lists&catid=67

[2]盈创-3D打印 建筑未来. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17, 2015, from http://www.yhbm.com/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=lists&catid=67

[3] World’s First 3D Printed Office Building, Complete With 3D Printed Furniture & Interior To Be Built in Dubai. (2015, June 30). Retrieved December 17, 2015, from http://3dprint.com/77550/dubai-3d-printed-office/