IAAC WASP 3D wall
3D printed earth wall with embedded staircase. Image: WASP
The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) and Italian 3D printer company WASP have presented an innovative prototype of a 3D printed wall. The project was designed and engineered by IAAC and realised by Crane WASP as part of the Open Thesis Fabrication research (OTF), an IAAC programme focussed on additive manufacturing in construction.
The wall follows on from the 3D printed earthen house by Digital Adobe Wall (IAAC) and Gaia (WASP), enhancing the design opportunities of on-site 3D printing towards achieving multi-purpose architectural systems, and the ability to promote the development of new construction scenarios.
WASP and IAAC have set their focus on a collaboration that results in proposing an architectural solution for affordable sustainable housing for and partially built by the people. Thanks to international networks with architectural design universities, WASP gives students the opportunity to use the company labs and technologies, taking part in the current architectural lines of research.
At IAAC, an institute that explores the future of architecture and construction, students and researchers develop projects that aim to propose urban, architectural and construction solutions arising from the use of new technologies and incorporating computer design and analysis to provide innovative solutions for a more sustainable habitat and city.
The use of 3D printing technology is increasingly considered a viable construction strategy because of advancements in design methods. IAAC’s Open Thesis Fabrication programme trains researchers and practitioners on computational design, material engineering and robotic fabrication to foster new design opportunities on bioclimatic architecture in order to further the viability of additive manufacturing in construction..
About the prototype
The prototype 1:1 represents a 40 cm thick portion of wall, with interlocked timber elements, that provide support for stairs and floor structures. The collaboration can be considered a significant step towards the realisation of load-bearing earthen structures. Indeed, the wall has been created employing a mixture of clay and rice fibres, provided by RiceHouse for this specific purpose.
The printing process took 40 hours, using an overall material amount of 2 m3, and utilised the internal modelling of multiple surfaces to confer both solidity and aesthetic expressivity. In light of results obtained with Gaia and this project, Crane WASP becomes an increasingly useful partner for transferring design logic into real construction models, facilitating the experimentation of innovative architectural systems and promoting the progress of 3D printing in the construction industry.
Italian 3D printer manufacturer WASP is aware of the substantial role that additive manufacturing will play in the future. With the development of new printing machines, the applications will grow, bringing the technology ever closer to users and to the needs of innovation for all application sizes, bringing the digital revolution to the construction industry.
About the Collaboration
Through this collaboration, WASP and IAAC are continuing a strategic programme of shared projects, research and ongoing activities aimed at establishing 3D printing on-site solutions for affordable and sustainable housing, with the ultimate mission of consolidating a network of partners across all sectors, from architectural design to university research, from humanitarian associations to international organisations such as already done by IAAC and UN Habitat.
Image: WASP
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