Dutch architect plans 3-D printed building
23 Jan 2013 5:59 AM IST
A Dutch architect plans to construct the world's first 3-D printed building inspired by the Earth's landscape.
Janjaap Ruijssenaars hopes to create the buildings, which he estimates will cost 4-5 million euros (3.3- 4.2 million pounds), all around the world.
The 3-D buildings - a more direct way of constructing - will resemble a giant mobius strip - a continuous loop with only one side, 'BBC News' reported.
Museums, visitor centres and private individuals have already expressed interest, he said.
Ruijssenaars is working with large-scale 3D printing expert Enrico Dini on the project.
The industrial sized 3D printer uses sand and a special binding agent to create a ‘marble like material’ stronger than cement, according to his company website.
However, the 1,000-sq-m buildings would still require concrete reinforcements, Ruijssenaars said.
‘3D printing is amazing,’ he said. ‘For me as an architect it's been a nice way to construct this specific design - it has no beginning and no end and with the 3D printer we can make it look like that.
‘In traditional construction you have to make a mould of wood and you fill it with concrete and then you take out the wood - it's a waste of time and energy. You can print what you want - it's a more direct way of constructing,’ said Ruijssenaars.
He said the first ‘landscape house’ should be in position by 2014.
Janjaap Ruijssenaars hopes to create the buildings, which he estimates will cost 4-5 million euros (3.3- 4.2 million pounds), all around the world.
The 3-D buildings - a more direct way of constructing - will resemble a giant mobius strip - a continuous loop with only one side, 'BBC News' reported.
Museums, visitor centres and private individuals have already expressed interest, he said.
Ruijssenaars is working with large-scale 3D printing expert Enrico Dini on the project.
The industrial sized 3D printer uses sand and a special binding agent to create a ‘marble like material’ stronger than cement, according to his company website.
However, the 1,000-sq-m buildings would still require concrete reinforcements, Ruijssenaars said.
‘3D printing is amazing,’ he said. ‘For me as an architect it's been a nice way to construct this specific design - it has no beginning and no end and with the 3D printer we can make it look like that.
‘In traditional construction you have to make a mould of wood and you fill it with concrete and then you take out the wood - it's a waste of time and energy. You can print what you want - it's a more direct way of constructing,’ said Ruijssenaars.
He said the first ‘landscape house’ should be in position by 2014.
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