On the 2025 Venice Structure Biennale, the concrete sculpture Duality of Pores and skin and Core showcases the artistic use of coloured iron oxide pigments in 3D printed structure. Developed by Assistant Professor Cristina Nan and architect Mattia Zucco from Eindhoven College of Know-how, in collaboration with German specialty chemical substances firm LANXESS and Dutch 3D printing agency Vertico, the work is featured within the Time. Area. Existence. exhibition. It explores how digital fabrication, modular design, and materials coloration can push the boundaries of 3D concrete printing past its standard grey palette.
Redefining the Column: Modularity and Sustainability
Duality of Pores and skin and Core reimagines the classical architectural column with a slit within the outer layer that reveals a vibrant interior floor, giving the piece its identify. It consists of 13 light-weight modules—9 cylindrical drums and 4 wing-shaped extensions—every weighing underneath 30 kilograms to facilitate dealing with, transport, and reuse.
This modular method permits simple meeting and disassembly, supporting round design ideas. By extending the lifespan of parts via reuse, the sculpture highlights how AM can contribute to extra sustainable, resource-efficient development.
Evaluating Pigments in 3D Concrete Printing
In parallel, LANXESS is working with the Institute of Development Supplies on the Technical College of Dresden to evaluate the efficiency of its Bayferrox and Colortherm pigments underneath 3D printing circumstances. Preliminary outcomes point out that the pigments present constant, high-quality coloration with out negatively impacting the mechanical or bodily properties of the concrete.
These findings assist the broader utility of coloration in 3D concrete printing, reinforcing its potential to merge structural integrity with expressive, architectural design.
Increasing the Capabilities of 3D Printed Concrete
Progress Group, an organization specializing in mechanical engineering and precast concrete techniques, launched a brand new proprietary 3D printing course of often known as Selective Paste Intrusion (SPI). Designed for large-format concrete components, the SPI system achieves a layer decision of three millimeters and is at the moment in operation on the firm’s facility in Brixen, South Tyrol. SPI permits focused materials deposition, lowering general concrete utilization by putting paste solely the place structurally crucial.
Elsewhere, researchers on the College of New Mexico (UNM) developed a self-reinforced, ultra-ductile cementitious materials tailor-made for 3D printing. Addressing the brittleness of standard concrete, the crew, led by assistant professor Maryam Hojati, integrated polymer fibers into the combination, enabling it to face up to tensile and bending forces with out the necessity for metal reinforcement. The mission aimed to beat one of many key limitations in 3D printing concrete: the incompatibility of conventional rebar with extrusion-based processes.
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Featured picture exhibits Duality of Pores and skin and Core. Picture through LANXESS.
