Striatus

Venice, 2021

An arched 3D-concrete-printed masonry bridge
A project by the Block Research Group (BRG) at ETH Zurich and Zaha Hadid Architects Computation and Design Group (ZHACODE), in collaboration with incremental3D (in3D), made possible by Holcim.

First 3D printed and unreinforced concrete bridge
3D printing can be used to build load-bearing concrete structures that require significantly less material and no steel reinforcement or mortar. ETH architects and engineers from the Block Research Group in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects and other partners from industry showed how this works with a footbridge in Venice.
Millions of new buildings all over the world are being constructed with reinforced concrete, even though this type of construction generates large amounts of CO2 emissions. The steel used for the reinforcement and the cement for the concrete are especially problematic in this regard. ETH researchers have now presented a way to reduce both, in a real project.
The Block Research Group teamed up with the Computation and Design Group at Zaha Hadid Architects to build a 12-by-16-metre arched footbridge in a park in Venice – entirely without reinforcement.
Using an additive process, the construction dubbed “Striatus” was built with concrete blocks that form an arch much like traditional masonry bridges. This compression-only structure allows the forces to travel to the footings, which are tied together on the ground. The dry-assembled construction is stable due to its geometry only.

Printed in specific angles
What is completely new is the type of 3D-printed concrete, which the researchers developed together with the company incremental3d. The concrete is not applied horizontally in the usual way but instead at specific angles such that they are orthogonal to the flow of compressive forces. This keeps the printed layers in the blocks nicely pressed together, without the need for reinforcement or post-tensioning. The special concrete ink for the 3D printer was developed by the company Holcim precisely for this purpose.
ETH professor Philippe Block said: “This precise method of 3D concrete printing allows us to combine the principles of traditional vaulted construction with digital concrete fabrication to use material only where it is structurally necessary without producing waste.”
Because the construction does not need mortar, the blocks can be dismantled, and the bridge reassembled again at a different location. If the construction is no longer needed, the materials can simply be separated and recycled.

Credits:
Design

• ZHACODE: Jianfei Chu, Vishu Bhooshan, Henry David Louth, Shajay Bhooshan, Patrik Schumacher
• ETH BRG: Tom Van Mele, Alessandro Dell’Endice, Philippe Block

Structural engineering

• ETH BRG: Tom Van Mele, Alessandro Dell’Endice, Sam Bouten, Philippe Block

Fabrication design

• ETH BRG: Shajay Bhooshan, Alessandro Dell’Endice, Sam Bouten, Chaoyu Du, Tom Van Mele
• ZHACODE: Vishu Bhooshan, Philip Singer, Tommaso Casucci

3D concrete printing

• incremental3d: Johannes Megens, Georg Gasser, Sandro Sanin, Nikolas Janitsch, Janos Mohacsi

Concrete material development

• Holcim: Christian Blachier, Marjorie Chantin-Coquard, Hélène Lombois-Burger, Francis Steiner
• LafargeHolcim Spain: Benito Carrión, José Manuel Arnau

Assembly & Construction

• Bürgin Creations: Theo Bürgin, Semir Mächler, Calvin Graf
• ETH BRG: Alessandro Dell’Endice, Tom Van Mele

Logistics

• ETH BRG: Alessandro Dell’Endice, Tom Van Mele
• Holcim Switzerland & Italy: Michele Alverdi
• LafargeHolcim Spain: Ricardo de Pablos, José Luis Romero

Additional partners

• Ackermann GmbH [CNC timber formwork]
• L2F Architettura [site measurements]
• Pletscher [steel supports]
• ZB Laser [lasercutting neoprene]

Documentation

• ZHACODE: Jianfei Chu, Cesar Fragachan, Vishu Bhooshan, Philip Singer, Edward Meyers, Shajay Bhooshan
• ETH BRG: Tom Van Mele, Alessandro Dell’Endice, Philippe Block
• incremental3d: Alexander Gugitscher, Sandro Sanin, Nikolas Janitsc
• LBS Fotografia
• naaro

Resources:

• Striatus Bridge Homepage
  
• Official Presskit

Press:

• Architectures Style
• ArchDaily
• designboom
• The Architect's Newspaper
• Amazing Architecture
• Architecture Ideas
• 3D Printing Industry
• World of Cement
• Greater Zurich Area
• Floornature
• Parametric Architecture
• Baublatt
• Neue Züricher Zeitung
• Immo-Invest
• Kronen Zeitung

gradient furniture collection

Sieggraben, 2021

The 3D printed gradient furniture collection is Philipp Aduatz latest project in the field of 3D concrete printing in collaboration with the Austrian manufacturer incremental3d.

3D concrete printing is a new and innovative fabrication technology that allows to print very large and complex structures in construction and design in a very short time period. The advantages are not only from ecological and economic reasons, no extensive mould production is necessary, but also from new aesthetic qualities. As part of a research project, incremental3d is currently exploring the dyeing of concrete. The strategy is to apply dye during the printing process directly into the nozzle and therefore reduce workload, waste and time delay. This allows a coloured design in concrete applied locally point by point and not globally, like it used to be before only possible.

The Gradient
An image gradient refers to the change of intensity of color within an image. In image processing, the gradient of an image is one of the fundamental building blocks.
Designer statement about the gradient:” For many years, I have been obsessed by the concept of a gradient which reflects elegance and harmony to me. I believe that the gradient is, in regards to the perception of the environment and its digital reflection, a fundamental design principle. It has a mathematical aesthetic and precision that I have always been admiring. With this project I want to combine the design of the gradient with different functional objects by the use of innovative fabrication technologies.” Philipp Aduatz
​

Credits:
Design

• Philipp Aduatz

Fabrication design

• Philipp Aduatz & incremental3d​​

3D concrete printing

• incremental3d

Photos

• Paris Tsitsos ​

Resources:

• Philipp Aduatz​​

Press:​

• designboom​​

cohesion

Innsbruck, 2019

The COHESION pavilion was designed and erected as part of the celebrations of the 350th anniversary of the University of Innsbruck on the Campus Technik site.

Based on initial sketches and preliminary studies developed by architecture students and technical sciences students, the final design was adapted to be sited in one of the existing central water retention reservoirs of the main courtyard at the Campus Technik. In this prominent location, visible early on from the main northern entrance the temporary construction
acts as a central meeting point and signpost on campus. On the outer shell, the numbers 3-5-0 are embossed in font size 2m to clearly mark the University’s anniversary.
The structure rises westwards towards the main wind direction with a small bar table cantilevers out of the infiltration basin. From the east-facing access a slightly declining ramp leads to the interior, where integrated seating invites to linger and to relax. From the very beginning, the team had to examine in depth several constraints of 3D concrete printing
processes, such as geometry, topology, weight, structural soundness, manufacturing processes, transport and assembly. As a result, the whole continuous object was subdivided into 47 radial vertical segments, partially reinforced by steel and carbon fibres. 

Credits:
Design

• University of Innsbruck: Marjan Colletti, Hannah Köll, Lorenz Pammer, Emanuel Werner, Georg Grasser​

Structural engineering

• Eindhoven University of Technology: Freek Bos

3D concrete printing

• incremental3d

Assembly & Construction

• PORR: Gottfried Prinz, Martin Stopfer, Manfred Kilzer, Hannes Maurer, Herbert Pichler

Photos

• Rupert Assanger

DIGITAL CHAISELONGUE

Innsbruck, 2018

The Digital Chaiselongue emerged from a collaboration of Viennese product designer Philipp Aduatz with Austrian start-up company incremental3d from Innsbruck.

The sculptural design language is realized by the use of an innovative digital fabrication technology that allows to 3D print very detailed concrete geometries in a very fast time. The concept is to use the new technology developed by incremental3d for a complex freeform design by Philipp Aduatz and show the new possibilities of creating complex shapes in an application for furniture design. It is further the aim to show the synergy of the experimental and scientific approach on design by Philipp Aduatz with a company that has developed a new technology and looking for applications.
 
For the Digital Chaiselongue a negative mould was first 3D printed from concrete. Afterwards the complete geometry was printed in less than one hour onto the mould. To provide sufficient tensile strength, carbon fibres are inserted in sensitive areas. The seating area was finished using a UV-resistant polyurethane coating in delicate handcraft, this should demonstrate that craft and digital technologies can coexist for the purpose of innovation in the 21st century in harmony.

Credits:
Design

• Philipp Aduatz

Fabrication design

• Philipp Aduatz & incremental3d​​

3D concrete printing

• incremental3d

Photos

• Paris Tsitsos ​

Resources:

• Philipp Aduatz​​

Press:​

• designboom