News: Dutch architecture studio Universe Architecture is planning to construct a house with a 3D printer for the first time.
The Landscape House will be printed in sections using the giant D-Shape printer, which can produce sections of up to 6 x 9 metres using a mixture of sand and a binding agent. Update: read our interview with Universe Architecture's Janjaap Ruijssenaars about this project.
Architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars of Universe Architecture will collaborate with Italian inventor Enrico Dini, who developed the D-Shape printer, to build the house, which has a looping form based on a Möbius strip.
3D printing website 3ders.org quoted Ruijssenaars as saying: "It will be the first 3D printed building in the world. I hope it can be opened to the public when it's finished.”
The team are working with mathematician and artist Rinus Roelofs to develop the house, which they estimate will take around 18 months to complete.
The D-Shape printer will create hollow volumes that will be filled with fibre-reinforced concrete to give it strength. The volumes will then be joined together to create the house.
In 2009 architect Andrea Morgante used the D-Shape printer to create a 3m high pavilion, which was the largest object ever created on a 3D printer at the time.
In October last year, architects Softkill Design unveiled a proposal to print a house based on bone structures.
That’s it, we are doomed. Say goodbye to the profession guys!
I don’t get it. Why would this spell an end to the profession rather than giving us new tools to work with?
That’s a house?!
What a joke. Exactly at the spots where it could be most interesting – where the floor turns into ceiling – the design is totally unresolved and looks just like a first attempt at any given 3D software, not a design ready to be built. Please go and study UNStudio’s early work.
What’s really complex in this that it demands a 3D-printed construction? It is a disgrace to the D-Shape printer.
Why are Dutch architects obsessed with moebius-strip-shaped houses?
Because once you travel down that road it’s never-ending.
Comment of the week! :D
Interesting project but this house was built by 3D printing in 2010: http://www.marcoferreridesign.it/news/n10111801.h…
I’m sure it’s not possible, but all I think think about is me rolling down and getting wedged in the space where the two floors meet, crying feebly for help…
I am not quite sure any static engineer had a single look at it yet.
The concept is neat. The design they have chosen to use as a technology demonstrator is not neat. But most new technologies look unrealistic and far-out when they are first introduced, so this is an interesting development to watch
You can clearly see that there is no connection between the two parts of this “house”. You basically have to go outside to access the other part. I just don’t get it. Why do you guys post such things here?
SO much could be filed under “Why do you guys post such things here? ”
So very, very much *shakes head sadly*
Why would you use a 3D printer to build a thing that could be easily done in existing technology/technique i.e. concrete? A banal and wasted use of an exciting new technology.
Why not? Why not test a technology that might in the end become a more efficient way of building greater things? If it fails in practice, let’s not do it again.
A new technology always asks for new ways of thinking, new applications, new aesthetics. It doesn’t always have to be new but begs at least to be innovative and different than what is existing. This project does nothing on so many levels, not to mention the horrific design (as many mentioned a recycle but worse than the original). It does not even come close to challenging the way of building in concrete, let alone being a testing bed of a new technology. Shame.
Better to learn from what’s gone before than to happen on a mistake unprepared. If this printer pulls off this house, I’m sure more houses will be “built”. The formwork of this house is impressive by any standards, or are you just being long-nosed?
This looks like a mediocre first-year student project.
I would say less than mediocre.
"………….Honey____have you seen the children?"
…don’t worry sweetheart, they are somewhere in the loop, remember they can’t run away!
According to the description, it’s not the house that’s printed 3D but a concrete form.
Interesting, but where is the WC?
It’s not worth commenting on; a half-baked concept.
It will only be interesting when it will be possible to print functional and nearly complete walls, ceilings, roofs as one form – perhaps foam-like – in any free form.
To print formwork units is nothing fascinating and already seen with other working techniques.
Wouldn’t a Mobius house have no inside?
Hmm, I remember seeing this same house design about 15 years ago by Ben van Berkel or someone when I was a student. Still not convinced this mythical 3D printer will be able to realise it, not less anyone want to live in it. Maybe for hamsters?
Sorry but it’s been done.
Then there’s no harm in doing it again!
Yeah – just wait ’till they have to buy new ink cartridges!
Two questions. First, why is this called news? The structure of the building will still rely on concrete – there is nothing fundamentally new about this building. And secondly, what has the shape to do with the Möbius strip? I don’t see any relation, nor do I see a beautiful form.
Ridiculous PR. But you know what, it works! It’s everywhere. That’s a real shame. So much attention for such a hypocritical attempt to “innovate” the profession.
Should the title of this article be “Dutch architect is completely in the dark about what to do with new technology” or “Failed architecture student is able to realise building anyway through use of new technology”?
Can someone help Dezeen with a good headline to make clear that the architectural scene is a bit ashamed that this “thing” is to be found on such a geat site?
First printed hause? What about Contour Crafting invented by Behrokh Khoshnevis?
I think that the real secret that will be out soon is ORSTO technology. I have seen the results of this new rapid-prototyping. Full football-size models in under 20 minutes, compared to Objet 5-12 hours. With a 1 micron finish accuracy (that is not a typo). Wow.
Apparently to be crowd funded with industry-insider estimates of reaching over £10 million.
Shall we comment on that when done? Now it is nothing more than an idea.
Emerging technology in the hands of people with a privileged position to use it, but actually waste the opportunity on a folly. This technology could be used to build exciting, life changing, social housing that is desperately needed throughout the world. I have reservations about the use of 3D printing: already it is being used in a wasteful way to produce objects of no real value – ornaments. This is no different.
Super cool technology but still looks more like a Habitrail than a house. I mean, would you really want to live in that?
Dell’Orco, you’re right. But I am super interested after seeing some footage of it in action. Pricing for such a piece of kit, when it hopefully gets to market, well, it may be out of reach for hobby or small business.
Many things haven't been resolved in this project. It seems to me that they are not building a house, but a big object instead. They are just getting things BIGGER.
Horrid thing. No real consideration for the problem at hand. But then my long nose belongs to an architect. For anyone else it’s very interesting. Feel sorry for the master builders though.
3D Printing technology has been around for years. However, the problem is it used to be very slow. I believe this technology will be used more for mass production of smaller parts for manufacturing purposes. Imagine an industry where all the the parts had to be outsourced to China or something. Whereas now, businesses can use 3D printers to produce these parts in-house at a much cheaper costs. This is the market where 3D printers are going to thrive.
Great architecture, love it.