Volumetric modelling for 3D printed architecture

Abstract

Powder-based additive manufacturing strategies such as binderjet 3D printing are increasingly attractive and promising for architecture due to their fine resolution, their capacity to precisely distribute material in three dimensions and the availability of very large scales. Building elements can no longer just be designed only by their outer shape, but throughout their entire volume. Existing design software based on a boundary representation of the geometry is unable to fully exploit the geometric freedom of this technology. We outline the particular geometrical features for additive manu- facturing and identify existing limits of conventional CAD systems. We describe the alternative representation of geometry based on volumetric modelling, present specific volumetric operations for design and optimization of 3D printed elements and highlight their potential for architecture. We present two applications in the context of 3D printing for architecture at different scales. One of them operates on a micro-scale for designing specific object properties by geometry. The other one is at an architectural scale, the processing of high-resolution mesh inputs for the preparation of production data of large 3D printed bricks for an architectural structure.