This project combines 3d printing and material recycling and upcycling to produce a low cost, sustainable and more ethical alternative to housing construction.
This new construction method involves the use of modular 3d printing systems which extrude clay and polyurethane foam derived from plastic waste to form a range of new and adapted housing typologies.
The factory designed here serves as the central point from which modular printing systems and infill materials are distributed. This allows the rapid construction of houses on site at a fraction of the price and environmental cost of typical construction methods.
This new construction method involves the use of modular 3d printing systems which extrude clay and polyurethane foam derived from plastic waste to form a range of new and adapted housing typologies.
The factory designed here serves as the central point from which modular printing systems and infill materials are distributed. This allows the rapid construction of houses on site at a fraction of the price and environmental cost of typical construction methods.
The Factory: The Central Point
The factory consists of a 3d printed dome (left) which stores the disassembled printing system components, and saw tooth factory building (right) which processes the clay and plastic wastes to produce the extrusion materials.
Material Production Facility
In this facility, clay is crushed and mixed with lime and other chemicals for fast setting properties while plastic wastes go through a series of glycolysis reactions to obtain polyurethane foam components. These components are then combined to produce printable building insulation. In effect, these processes allow insulative and structural materials to be generated from wastes and sources of much lower environmental impact
In Detail: 3D Printing System
Detail showing the extrusion process & resulting envelope on site
In Catalogue: Construction Approaches
This diagram shows the range of potential applications in 3D printing construction. New Typologies provide the most cost-effective solution due to its self-supporting structural qualities.
Hybrid Typologies consider the ways that existing forms may be renovated or extended using new typology approaches.
Adapted Typologies look at ways in which conventional rectilinear forms may be constructed with a 3D printing process, this however requires additional labour, time and timber material.
In considering these approaches and factors, construction may eventually gravitate towards more domed and self supporting forms due to its economy.
Hybrid Typologies consider the ways that existing forms may be renovated or extended using new typology approaches.
Adapted Typologies look at ways in which conventional rectilinear forms may be constructed with a 3D printing process, this however requires additional labour, time and timber material.
In considering these approaches and factors, construction may eventually gravitate towards more domed and self supporting forms due to its economy.
Animation of the Process
The animated video illustrates the new construction method from start to finish; demonstrating the material processes, areas for printer component storage and the functioning of the final assembled system on site
Bawan Ravindran, The Factory: The Central Point
Bawan Ravindran, Material Production Facility
Bawan Ravindran, In Detail: 3D Printing System
Bawan Ravindran, In Catalogue: Construction Approaches
Bawan Ravindran, Animation of the Process
