3D Printing in Architecture
- Sindhu Prabakar
- Sep 9, 2022
- 3 min read
3D printing is a technological revolution that began right from the 1970's when Japanese architects started doing digital prototypes for their plans. They layered it one on top of the other mechanically to form a whole model. 3D printing is architecture's biggest innovation yet and will take us to utopian heights.
Although the industry has not yet fully adopted or optimized the mechanism of 3D printing, it is a slow addition to the everyday process of an architect. With the gradual shift from softwares like AutoCad and SketchUp to Revit and other BIM supported formats, we are moving into a whole new era of technological advancements. 3D printing stands right at the front, already spearheading many residential and urban projects,
3D printing gives the industry what it needs most, cost effectiveness, pace and sustainability. Let's take a look how:
Cost Effective
Though the initial cost of equipment may be higher, the total cost of the project will reduce drastically. 3D printing literally does the job of 15 men all at once. Labor, transportation, instruments, and management, all of this is done by the machine itself, thereby directly reducing the project cost by half.
Money spent on human errors can cost heavily, but when automated, there is no room for error, it completely eradicates miscellaneous expenditure.
Dynamic
The best part about automation is that it is flexible, and does not get tired or restless. This is a huge advantage because the machines can keep going relentlessly hours together without compromise on the output. It gets better when you are able to modify the design mid print and continue printing with the changes, which otherwise would require complete demolition or undoing of manual labor.
Prototypes and modifications with countless iterations can be made and these models can be replicated exactly to scale on site making the construction process very dynamic.
Time Saver
As Benjamin Franklin rightly said, "Time is Money". 3D printing is extremely fast as compared to real time manual construction. This is a huge benefit to the industry as projects are completed faster and more efficiently. This is a big economy boost to any company as well, they complete projects quicker, lesser cost and more clientele.
Time is any architects worst enemy, we witnessed it first hand during the COVID-19 pandemic, when everything came to a standstill, the industry took a big blow.
With 3D printing this limitation is reduced considerably and the controls can be done offsite.
Sustainable
The construction field is the highest contributor to carbon footprint, we are creating designs that are not just used and thrown rather are used 24/7, right from energy consumption to water and electricity. These are permanent buildings imprinting on the ecosystem and taking up large parts of it, 3D printing can help bring down this to an extent. There will be minimum to no wastage of materials during construction and the embodied energy is minimized.
Complexity
There are many new fields in architecture that we are still struggling to navigate, like parametric architecture, parasitic architecture, medico-infrastructure etc. These can be achieved through 3D printing, especially parametric architecture which involves specific pieces that are put together on site. These pieces are individually printed out and later assembled. The complexity of these designs are beyond simple manual drafting or digital framework. They require algorithms and visual morphing to be able to even comprehend them. 3D printing help understand modify complex designs and provide efficient solutions.
Here are some inspiring examples of 3D printing from around the world:
As future architects, it is important to keep up with the times and adapt to more effective means of design. Be it 3D printing or new softwares or technology, it is essential to be open to fresh ideas and accept the change that comes with it. After all change is the only constant!
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