Category Archives: Uncategorized

This quircky 3-D print was made by Ergun Akleman. Its organic shape is fluid, curved and interlocked. Although not excessively complicated it is a beautiful example of the possibilities of 3D printing. The design brings across a sense of unity which I feel is reserved for objects printed with this technology. In addition to the unity I feel that this technology, like no other, permits us to create objects which are truly 3D. Three dimensional design is not compromised at any stage if 3D printing is implemented. This applies to both the skin but also the interior of the object. In the example below the sking becomes one with the nucleus of the object. Although this concept would need to be adapted to the functions of architecture, I believe that it opens new doors which will have deeply touching results.

The structure of dunescape has been used sometmes as an architectural concept. The contribution  of the modeling  software has been valuable in those cases. Two “examples” of such an attempt follow.

The first is the city of culture of Galicia by Eisenman Architects.  The topography of the site distorts the geometry of the  model which is    also a result of the street plan of the  medieval centre of Santiago

and   modern Cartesian grid.

The second project is designed by SHoP for the MoMA (Long Island City 2000). It is a summer courtyard installation wchich  provides visitors  many   ways to  enjoy the hot  weather. Five design elements,

the cabana, beach  chair,   umbrella, boogie  board  and surf are  placed along  a   continuous wood  structure  comprised of over   6,000 individual 2”x2” cedar strips with a vinyl  surface. The beach here is

represented in an original way. The form is obviously affected by the computer modeling software but in a different way than the previous one.

RCO Office, Mumbai, Serie Architects.

I came across this unfamiliar process called Rapid Prototyping method (3d Model Printing) for the first time when I was working with an architectural firm (serie architects) at Mumbai in 2008.

The office building that I was working on had a complex membrane in the form of a twisting atrium, kind of a canyon which wraps the floors and acts as a structural support. The complex geometry and time constraints resulted in switching ourselves to 3d model printing for this particular project.

Twisting Atrium

The model got build in a Machine mould Fabrication workshop at Mumbai as there is no such 3d printing facility was available other than this. The workshop had an experience of fabricating mechanical parts (prototypes/mould) which would further given to the respective company for mass production. This was their first encounter with Architects.

The Structure

The model got fabricated in two parts to lower down chances of damage during transportation. The total structural framework and the planes of twisting atrium got fabricated and the transparent skin that is glazing and its supporting grid got hand modelled by us. The contrast between timber base and the white structure made the total setup appealing. And we ended up bagging the project.

The impressive aspects about 3d model printing that I realised very strongly are its accuracy/precision, time efficiency and it prints things that our hands could ever imagine to model.

Croatian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale

Croatian Pavilion_Interior

The floating pavilion is built on an existing barge with dimensions of 10m x 20m x 3m. The pavilion structure is in the form of a cargo of 32 tons of welded wire mesh, with more than 40 layers spaced so that they form a solid volume with approximate dimensions of 19m x 9m x 5,5m. Inside the volume is a carved out space shaped by varying contours that form the main space as well as protrusions and openings toward the outside. Almost invisible form a distance, the structure reveals itself with different densities of steel mesh, transparencies, and vision lines, forming stunning visual effects and experience of space by very simple means.

The reason behind selecting this structure as a case is because of its unusual appearance and method of construction. This is a perfect example for how a structural network acts as a breathing membrane in terms of light and ventilation. At the same time it creates a drama of appearing and disappearing skin. Almost gives you a feeling of reverie.

Project Drift Bench Author Amanda Levete Dimensions  Height: 420mm (Seat Depth: 420mm) x Length: 2880mm x Depth: 870mm Description A future classic from the Established & Sons stable.

The exaggerated, elongated form of the Drift bench has a modulated, fluid language that is characteristic of the work of Future Systems architects. With this design Amanda Levete has interpreted the company’s signature style within a piece of furniture design with extreme sculptural properties.

Materials & Finishes The Drift bench is available in satin-matt and high-gloss reinforced polyurethane.

Source: www.amandalevetearchitects.com/

Client: The Eden Project Size: 23,000 sq m Completion: 2001 Cost: £57m Structural engineer: Anthony Hunt Associates Services engineer: Arup Cost Consultant: David Langdon & Everest Main contractor: Mc Alpine Join Venture

The Eden Project is the largest plant enclosure in the world, built in the lightest most ecological way possible. The project is situated in a 15-hectare landscape site, formerly a worked-out Cornish clay pit. It was built in two phases, beginning with a hilltop Visitor Center, which opened to the public in May 2000.

The main focus of the Eden Project is a sinuous sequence of eight interlinked geodesic domes threading around the site, encapsulating humid tropic and warm temperate regions. The centre attracted almost 1,000,000 visitors to its showcase “Big Building”, which afforded visitors a view of the construction of these “biomes”. The biomes are an exercise in efficiency, both of space and material. Structurally, each dome is a hex-tri-hex space frame reliant on to layers. The efficiency of the frame depends on the components of the geometric shapes: steel tubes and joints that are light, relative small and easily transportable. The cladding panels, triple-layered pillows of high performance ETFE foil, are equally efficient, with maximum surface area and minimum perimeter detailing. This maximizes the amount of light penetration while minimizing the weight of the supporting structure.

Source: www.grimshaw-architects.com

Advanced computational modelling helped develop the product and establish a dialogue with Melissa and Zaha Hadid in order to bring the design to the production line. This challenging process employed 3D printing and rapid prototyping techniques as key tools for refining the ergonomics of the shoes. The fluidity of the design was a perfect match with Melissa’s plastic injection mould technology, generating great synergy between the teams.

http://vimeo.com/11499417