Anyone standing in front of phaeno feels it immediately: different rules apply here. The flowing forms and the massive ‘cones’ on which the building rests break with traditional box-like architecture. However, casting such shapes in concrete has, until now, required a huge amount of work on the formwork.
What previously worked with the ‘more is better’ principle – using massive walls and thick columns – can now be approached in a completely different way through 3D printing and so-called topology optimisation.
💡The principle is inspired by nature:
a tree trunk or a human bone is only solid where forces are actually exerted. Inside, there are delicate, cavity-optimised structures. Through additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, this biological logic can be transferred virtually one-to-one to a building.1
Ultimately, material is not simply used over large areas, but is placed precisely where it is absolutely necessary for structural stability.
The result is organic forms.
In a closed-loop system: will we soon be building with fungi?
The path to sustainable construction lies in the circular economy (♻️Cradle-to-Cradle).
The aim: a building that, at the end of its useful life, does not end up as construction waste but serves as a source of raw materials. Research into biological inks is particularly forward-looking in this regard.
Current projects show that fungal mycelium 🍄 (the fine network of fungal roots) can function as a printable material when combined with plant waste.
These structures are not only remarkably stable but also fully biodegradable at the end of their life cycle.2
Speaking of which: a deeper insight into this ‘fungal architecture’ is coming in September. Dr Henrik-Alexander Christ from Fraunhofer WKI in Braunschweig will be presenting the LuminousNetwork project. Details will follow via the events calendar – so it’s worth keeping an eye out.
…Perhaps the ultimate in self-sufficiency: building on the Moon. 🌕
The most extreme application lies beyond Earth’s atmosphere. 🚀
Space agencies such as NASA are researching ‘contour crafting’ to construct bases on the Moon or Mars.
🌌The 3D-printed Moon base
The problem: transporting one kilo of material to the Moon currently costs around 1.2 million dollars. Flying an entire house there is simply impossible.
The solution: “In-situ Resource Utilisation” (ISRU) – in other words, using what is already there.
The technology: The printer uses regolith (lunar dust) as the base for the “concrete”. This creates self-sufficient settlements without the need for Earth-based supply chains.
3D printing in the construction industry holds enormous potential for our future and for how we approach living environments.
It marks the transition from resource-intensive manual labour to precise, digital manufacturing. This construction method allows for bolder, more environmentally friendly and socially responsible approaches. It is the beginning of a development that will have a lasting impact on the face of our cities – and perhaps even other planets. We can look forward to seeing what lies ahead, and anyone wishing to gain first-hand knowledge right now is best advised to attend the Science Talk on 28 May.
At the Science Talk, Prof. Inka Mai (TU Berlin) will speak on the topic “Robots on the construction site – How 3D printing can transform construction”
. She will provide insights into how digital manufacturing can help construction sites in the future to build more efficiently, more quickly and with less material.
The talk will take place at the phaeno Science Theatre and will also be streamed live on YouTube.
🪧 Note: Admission is free; no registration is required.
Further information at:
Science Talk: 3D Printing in Construction
[1] Wangler, T. et al. (2016): Digital Concrete: Opportunities and Challenges. RILEM Technical Letters, 1, 67–75.
[2] Jones, M. et al. (2017): Mycelium Composites: A Review of Engineering Characteristics and Growth Kinetics. Journal of Bionanoscience. 11. 241–257.
[3] Hager, I. et al. (2016): 3D Printing of Buildings and Building Components as the Future of Sustainable Construction? Procedia Engineering, 151, 292–299.
[4] Khoshnevis, B. et al. (2005): Lunar Contour Crafting: A Novel Technique for ISRU-Based Habitat Development. NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts Phase II Report.