3D printed building amsterdam

DUS Architects builds 3D-printed micro home in Amsterdam

Photograph by Ossip
Photograph by Ossip
Photograph by Ossip
Photograph by Ossip
Photograph by Ossip
Photograph by Sophia van den Hoek
Photograph by Sophia van den Hoek
Photograph by DUS Architects
Photograph by DUS Architects
Photograph by DUS Architects
Photograph by Sophia van den Hoek
Photograph by Sophia van den Hoek
Photograph by Sophia van den Hoek
Photograph by Ossip
Photograph by Ossip

Amy Frearson | 30 August 2016 9 comments

Dutch studio DUS Architects has 3D printed an eight-square-metre cabin and accompanying bathtub in Amsterdam, and is now inviting guests to stay overnight (+ slideshow).

Photograph by Sophia van den Hoek

DUS Architects used sustainable bio-plastic to create the 3D Print Urban Cabin, which is intended to demonstrate how additive manufacturing can offer solutions for temporary housing or disaster relief.

Photograph by Sophia van den Hoek

When the cabin is no longer needed, it can be destroyed and almost all the materials can be reused.

"The building is a research into compact and sustainable dwelling solutions in urban environments," said the team.

Photograph by Sophia van den Hoek

"3D printing techniques can be used particularly well for small temporary dwellings or in disaster areas," they said.

"After use, the bio print material can be shredded entirely and re-printed into new designs."

Photograph by Sophia van den Hoek

The Amsterdam-based architecture studio is currently in the final stages of a project to build a full-size 3D-printed canal house. This smaller project offers an insight into what that structure will look like.

Photograph by DUS Architects

Located in a former industrial area, the tiny gabled cabin contains just 25 cubic metres of area – far less than the average micro home.

Dutch EU building features a facade combining tensile fabric and 3D-printed bioplastic

A window punctures one end, while the other integrates both an entrance and a stepped porch seating area. Its walls are patterned with angular protrusions that create a three-dimensional surface, giving the building extra structural stability.

Photograph by DUS Architects

All of these surfaces are black, thanks to the bio-based 3D-printing filament – a product with linseed oil as its main component, which the architects have been developing with major consumer manufacturing company Henkel.

A small amount of concrete was also used, to provide a durable flooring surface. It infills a patterned grid, which extends out from the cabin to form a pebbled pathway across a small garden.

Photograph by Sophia van den Hoek

"Entirely 3D printed with black coloured bio-based material, it showcases different types of facade ornament, form-optimisation techniques, and smart solutions for insulation and material consumption," said the team.

Photograph by DUS Architects

Inside, the cabin contains enough space for a bed, although this can be folded up into a seat during the day. There is no space for a bathroom, but a large 3D-printed bath is located in the garden.

"In the green around the cabin you can enjoy the sculptural printed bathtub, and watch the sunset surrounded by waving poplar trees," added the architects.

Photograph by Ossip

DUS Architects first unveiled designs for the 3D printed canal house back in 2013 and is aiming to complete the project early next year.

But the 3D Print Urban Cabin isn't the first completed example of the studio's 3D printing expertise – earlier this year it created a sculptural facade for a European Union meeting building, which was the first public reveal of its so-called "XXL 3D prints".

Photograph by Ossip

This technique uses fused deposition modelling, the same form of additive manufacturing used by most household 3D printers.

The cabin is available for short-term lets.

Project credits:

Architects: DUS architects
Design team: Hans Vermeulen, Martine de Wit, Hedwig Heinsman, Martijn van Wijk, Inara Nevskaya, Ivo Toplak, Peter Hudac, Foteini Setaki
3D printing and assembly: Martine de Wit, Jasper Harlaar, Sven de Haan, Ina Cheibas, Joe Platt, Nathalie Swords
Material development: Henkel
IT hardware: Lenovo
Concrete work: Heijmans
Bath spout: Vola
Textiles: Borre
Landscape: Delva Landscape, Boomkwekerij Ebben
Accessories: Misc store

Subscribe to our newsletters

Your email address

Dezeen Debate

Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news.

New! Dezeen Agenda

Sent every Tuesday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news.

Dezeen Daily

A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen.

Dezeen Jobs

Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

Dezeen Awards

News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.

Dezeen Events Guide

News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates.

We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected].

For more details, please see our privacy notice.

Thank you!

You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.

3D Printed Facade Becomes Eye-Catching Part of Amsterdam Shopping Street

3D printing news News 3D Printed Facade Becomes Eye-Catching Part of Amsterdam Shopping Street

Published on February 18, 2022 by Madeleine P.

In the Netherlands, traditional craftsmanship has met innovative technology in an unexpected place. Rotterdam-based studio RAP has taken on the task of designing a façade for a boutique in Amsterdam. And this is not just any boutique, but a luxury boutique in the popular shopping street P. C. Hooftstraat. The façade itself, which is currently still under construction, was produced entirely using additive manufacturing. Soon, ceramic tiles and red bricks from the 3D printer will give the facade a new shine. The design not only replicates the original façade, but also fits perfectly into the overall concept of the shopping street.

studio RAP is an architecture firm that focuses particularly on innovative digital manufacturing methods. This made it a clear choice for the Dutch company to consider the usage of additive manufacturing in the creation of this façade. The goal was to be able to design, manage, build and improve architecture in an innovative way. In doing so, the architecture firm hopes to inspire people around the world with the contemporary expression of digital craftsmanship through its state-of-the-art manufactured façade, which is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2022. The use of additive manufacturing thus also makes it possible to reinterpret historical classics in an exciting way. What’s particularly exciting is that the algorithmically designed façade is being made in-house at studio RAP using a large-format 3D printer from manufacturer KUKA.

The façade impresses especially with its algorithmically designed design (photo credits: studio RAP)

A Whole New Way to Make Façades

The design of the 3D-printed facade is strongly reminiscent of a knitted look, like that of clothing. No wonder that thus the entire building is particular eye-catching for passers-by, strongly differentiating itself from surrounding houses. For the production, the method of ceramic 3D printing was adopted. What many do not know: Ceramics are widely used as a material in Amsterdam. Accordingly, the use of ceramics refers not least to the nearby Rijksmuseum, which houses a large collection of ceramics from all over the world. It is possible that the façade of the luxury boutique will also soon be part of this collection.

The facade of the lowest floor, where the boutique is located, shines not least because of its ceramic tiles glazed in pearl white. The shop windows of the boutique were set back to the inside. For this reason, ceramic tiles measuring approximately 40 x 20 centimeters decorate this section between the shop window and the front of the facade. These 3D-printed tiles begin plainly at the base of the facade and become more expressive as they go up. In addition, this floor of the building has a total of 3 four and a half meter high columns as well as an architrave that acts as a horizontal support beam.

Pearl white tiles and bricks in 3 shades of red adorn the new façade of the boutique (photo credits: studio RAP)

For the upper floors, studio RAP uses 3D-printed bricks that were subsequently glazed in three shades of red. The composition of the individual bricks is reminiscent of the original cross bond masonry. Unlike the first floor, the abstract ornaments of this part of the facade are most expressive at the bottom. Finally, the bricks are glued to laser-cut stainless steel cassettes so that they can be properly attached to the facade. You can learn more about studio RAP HERE.

What is your opinion about the new façade of the luxury boutique? Let us know in a comment below or on our Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.

*Cover Photo Credits: studio RAP

World's first 3D printed steel bridge installed in Amsterdam

News

a robotic 3D printer using electric arc deposition technology was thrown through one of the canals in the center of Amsterdam. It remains only to install the sensors and weld the missing elements.

The project took nearly six years to complete. In addition to the obvious difficulties with the development of production technology, the company also faced other obstacles. Work on the metal structure itself was completed back in 2018, after which the bridge was sent to storage pending the completion of the reconstruction of the water channel, as the municipal authorities feared that the old masonry could collapse under the weight of the new structure. Then a covid surprise arrived from Wuhan, and only now they finally decided to install the bridge in the allotted place.

This is an all steel structure made by a multi-axis robotic arm with a welding machine. The consumable material, of course, is the usual welding wire, the productivity reaches about two kilograms per hour. This is the main advantages of the technology of additive manufacturing by electric arc deposition or WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing): such a scheme is much faster and cheaper than laser or electron beam synthesis technologies on a substrate using expensive fine powders, moreover, there are no strict restrictions on the dimensions of printed materials. products. On the other hand, the resolution is not high, and the compatibility with various metals and alloys is limited, but in this particular case, both the material and the resolution are quite suitable for the task.

Designed using Autodesk Dreamcatcher CAD with topological optimization, the 12-meter bridge was reduced to approximately four tons.

Designed with multiple sensors to monitor structural integrity, vibration, strain, stress and weather conditions. All this will help, on the one hand, ensure the safety of the pedestrian flow, and, on the other hand, improve the design methodology and 3D printing algorithms for future projects.

In terms of algorithms, MX3D has been offering its software developments to the commercial market since 2019. This is partly a forced measure, because due to the low payback and high costs of research and development work, the company faced serious financial difficulties. The guys decided to get additional income from licensed sales of the Metal XL software package, which provides support for the full cycle of additive manufacturing using WAAM technology - from design to 3D printing.

Installation of sensors, finishing touches on the welding machine and testing of the design will take a few more days, the commissioning of the bridge is scheduled for the second half of this month.

MX3D WAAM bridge Amsterdam

Follow author

Don't want

ZERO WASTE PRODUCTION

In the courtyard near the small office from which the entire process is run, there are many colored blocks and parts of different sizes and shapes that defy description. It is obvious that some of them will be used during construction, but it is not yet clear in what order they will be assembled. All blanks are designed and made here, on the spot. This allows not only to speed up the process, but also to avoid transportation costs, as well as to minimize the amount of waste.

Printing is carried out using a specially made and placed in a spectacular silver six-meter case KamerMaker 3D printer. In fact, this is a multiply enlarged copy of a conventional desktop 3D printer. The dimensions of the finished parts are set strictly (2 × 2 × 3 meters), but their appearance is limited only by the imagination of architects and designers. The granulated plastic is fed into the extruder, where it is heated up to 170 °C and turns into a homogeneous liquid. Through heated tubes, the molten mass is sent to the printing device, the head of which moves to create the desired parts in a three-dimensional coordinate system.

By the way, the main material for printing is not ordinary plastic, but Macromelt bioplastic, developed by Henkel based on an industrial adhesive consisting of 75–80% vegetable oil. Obviously, the choice was made in favor of an environmentally friendly material of biological origin, capable of melting at a relatively low temperature and at the same time being sufficiently strong. At the moment, bioplastics are best suited for printing, although technically the KamerMaker printer can use any material that melts and subsequently hardens well, such as silver. However, other recyclable materials are also suitable for printing, however, only in the form of impurities: wood waste (they are ground into powder, and products made from such material really smell like wood), natural stone chips, clay. Even ... potato peel is used - it is with it (and with some other materials) that Dutch researchers are now conducting experiments.

Many prototypes can be seen and touched. For example, translucent golden parts or matte black blocks are made of bioplastic, and those that are white or yellow are made of an inorganic material that melts at too high a temperature (it was eventually abandoned). Dyes can be added to plastic - the houses of the future do not have to be the same color. However, more importantly, the properties of bioplastics are constantly being improved with the help of various additives to make the material even more durable, waterproof and fireproof. To improve the latter quality, a mixture is poured into the cells of the printed blanks, which inside have a zigzag hollow structure, similar in physical and chemical properties to foam concrete. Technologists assure that thanks to this, if the house catches fire from the outside, then no one will feel the temperature changes inside.

Architect Hedwig Heinsman, who co-founded DUS Architects with Hans Vermeulen and Martine de Wit in 2004, says: “When we first started, we were just excited about the idea that we could print whatever we want, with whatever we want. But later we learned to select only the highest quality materials. It is very important to us that the printed house is safe and comfortable, which is why we devote so much time to research. We took three years to build the house, and very soon we will proceed directly to its assembly. However, all subsequent houses like ours will be built much faster. We are already seeing how much more efficient 3D printing is compared to conventional construction techniques.”

By the way, 3D printing is an almost waste-free production: unsuccessful castings and accidentally formed remnants of materials are remelted.

As for the operational qualities of the "home from the printer", they are still unknown. DUS Architects are experimenting with thermal and acoustic insulation materials and say that they want to create a special foundation, corresponding to the lightness of the main material from which the house will be built, and making it possible to assemble and disassemble the structure without difficulty.

AMSTERDAM SYMBOL

Hedwig does not hide the fact that the use of traditional methods, for example, in the laying of engineering systems and communications, cannot be avoided. However, we understand that the elements that are ready, but still lying idle in the yard, from which the rooms will first be assembled, and then the whole house, symbolize the rise of the construction business to a new level. “One of the main advantages of building with a 3D printer,” Heinsman continues, “is the ability to produce an incredible amount of parts in absolutely incredible variations. Instead of using standardized elements, 3D printing allows us to modify and improve them to suit the needs and tastes of any of us. This made it easier to create unique objects with a minimum of effort.”

In DUS Architects, not without reason, they believe that today unique architectural structures are available either to large companies or to very rich people. The Dutch, on the other hand, are ready to offer individual projects to completely different clients and seem to be really able to democratize architecture.

A house printed on a 3D printer will not look at all like another miracle of modern architecture. What's more, DUS Architects' project, which combines a look at the future of construction with an appeal to the past, is reminiscent of the classic Amsterdam canal houses, the universally recognized symbol of the Dutch capital. Such houses can perform different functions: some houses shops with warehouses, others - housing or workshops. And the canal network itself, although it has lost its significance as the main transport artery of the city, after its inhabitants began to use cars and bicycles, still continues to be a universal center of attraction.

Specialists in Russia also agree that the projects of residential buildings should not only meet modern standards, but also be turned to the future. For example, Grigory Altukhov, commercial director of FGC Leader, is sure that the organization of the internal space of a house, including public areas, should be relevant even in 10, 20 and even 30 years. Essentially, a printed home is an open-plan dwelling that can cater to the needs of occupants regardless of their age or personal interests.

At DUS Architects, when designing their home, they try to combine local traditions and advanced technologies, using the archetype in the context of a modern city. It is no coincidence that a huge mirror has been installed in the courtyard of the construction site that has not yet begun, which reflects the Westerkerk bell tower, located on the Prinsengracht canal, abundantly “seated” with houses of the 17th–18th centuries. This canal in the old part of the city, according to Heinsman and her colleagues, should find its visual “continuation” in the North Holland Canal, on the banks of which we are talking. And someday both shores of the Hey Bay, not least thanks to the initiative of DUS Architects, will be connected not only by the reflection in the mirror, but also quite “substantially”.

In the long term, many printed houses will grace the banks of the canals, and so far, an international team led by architects has proven that the “explore and do” method works great. Anyone can be convinced of this: the construction site of the DUS Architects house can be not only a kind of exhibition, open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11.00 to 17.00, but also a place of short-term "employment", since on some days anyone can become an assistant, but most those who are able are offered an internship here.

By the way, already now the place where the printed house will stand is working as an important public space, and in two years there will be a research center where construction innovations will be studied, new ideas will be discussed and optimal solutions will be searched for their implementation.

WORLDWIDE

DUS Architects were not the first to print houses. There are enthusiasts of using a 3D printer in construction in many countries. For example, the Italian Enrico Dini, who is called “the man who prints houses,” although he has not yet completely built a single house. Dini uses sand as a material for creating his samples, hardening under the influence of a binder based on magnesium chloride. He patented this technology about 10 years ago, and now the Italian is being offered to build bases on the Moon, since there is plenty of sand-like regolith there.

The Dutch architect Yanyap Reussenaars, who developed the project of the Landscape House, is seriously interested in the developments of his Italian colleague. This house is a huge Mobius strip, which, in fact, should be printed and then reinforced with metal and concrete inserts.

Technology similar to that used in the construction of Canal House is used at the University of Southern California during the Contour Crafting program, which is the result of serious scientific research. A massive robotic device, resembling a bridge-type crane, lays cement mortar layer by layer along a predetermined trajectory.

First of all, researchers involved in the program pay attention to its commercial benefits: the cost of building construction will decrease due to staff reduction, waste-free production and its acceleration. The creators of the device propose to use it not only for the construction of social housing for the poor or temporary shelters for people affected by natural disasters, but also during the settlement of other planets.

The Chinese company Shanghai WinSun Decoration Design Engineering has achieved the greatest success to date. Her printer is even more impressive: 40 meters long, 10 meters wide and six meters high. It is mounted on a 150-meter platform and is able to print an entire house from high-quality concrete with the addition of fiberglass in a matter of hours. Shanghai houses are not distinguished by a variety of decor, but even before printing begins, it is taken into account where windows and doors, holes for water pipes and electrical wiring will be located. WinSun is not going to sell its houses yet, prototypes will be given for social housing. However, the company is still on the path to expansion, as it has already planned the construction of about a hundred processing plants across China, which will produce consumables for printing such houses.

3D printed building amsterdam

DUS Architects builds 3D-printed micro home in Amsterdam

Dutch EU building features a facade combining tensile fabric and 3D-printed bioplastic

Subscribe to our newsletters

Thank you!

3D Printed Facade Becomes Eye-Catching Part of Amsterdam Shopping Street

A Whole New Way to Make Façades

World's first 3D printed steel bridge installed in Amsterdam

a robotic 3D printer using electric arc deposition technology was thrown through one of the canals in the center of Amsterdam. It remains only to install the sensors and weld the missing elements.

Follow author

More interesting articles

Subscribe author

Follow the author

Subscribe to the author

ZERO WASTE PRODUCTION

Learn more