Role of 3D Printing In Architecture

3D Printing architecture does not only come as a blessing but also helps in satisfying the clients and real state agents in so many ways.

In this article, you will learn each aspect of 3D printing and simultaneously you will also get to know the benefits, application and even the future scope of the 3D printing technology in the architecture industry.

Let me clarify one thing that 3D Printing is not only limited to the architecture industry, as a result, this is also a very useful tool for providing a great assist to project manager and civil engineers as well.

Well, it seems like either you belong to the architecture industry or you are planning to work around architectures.

It’s better to understand the individual role of architecture to any project so that you can imagine or even understand the problem that architecture faces and how it could be fixed with 3D Printing.

This will also help you in comparing the result after the implementation or application of 3d Printing in architecture.

Role of Architecture

Architecture is primarily responsible for the visual appearance of any structure. This structure could be an apartment, building, bridge, dam or even an industrial project as well.

In simple words, the design and functionality of any structure that you see in your day to day life is mainly done by an architecture.

Therefore you can understand how hard it is for architecture to start a project with creative minds and great visual imagination.

In the case of architectures, they mostly turn the ideas or visual imagination into reality by giving shape and design that also matches the building law and regulations.

In the later part of this article, you will get to see how 3D Printing has enabled a great scope for an effective way of working.

Who they deal with?

Though you have understood the role of architecture, it is also important to understand the channels through which an architecture proceed with the project works.

First of all, let me take to another stage where architecture creates a 3D Model of the proposed design of the structure.

Actually, after the first draft of the drawing of a project, the architecture starts working on creating a 3D Model of that project so that people connected with this project can visualize the design and functionality as well.

Let me give you a great example(I love giving examples 😛).

There is an architecture, who is working on a project of 6 storey building.

Let’s name him Bob.

So, first Bob will start the work by understanding the requirement and demand of the clients.

Next thing that Blob do is to open the door or creativity in his mind so that he gets a design which is visually beautiful and fully functional as well.

After some brainstorming, Bob gets one super-amazing design idea.

Now, he wants to show his work to the client for getting the green signal from the clients and real-state agents.

He started making a 2D image on a paper of the project.

But

That’s so boring to look and difficult to visualize as well.

So, he then going to make a 3D Model in cad software where the entire building will be visualized properly.

If the clients get satisfied with the work of Bob, then the rest of the work will be started with the construction firm. And If not, Bob will again go to the brainstorming session

Moral of the story: An architecture mainly works to impress the clients and getting approval regarding the project. Based on the design of architecture, the entire construction process is planned.

(Real state agent-architecture-clients-customers)

Application of 3D printing in architecture

Till now, you got the basic details surrounding the working method of architecture.

But, I think you have a question as given below:

You: “What’s the Role of 3D Printing in architecture then?”

CubeRose: In this part, you will get to know each part of 3D printing which is required in architecture for a better and superior experience to the clients.

In case you’re getting impatience to know the application and use of 3D Printing in architecture, I have listed below the list:

• 3D Printing helps to Create a 3D physical model(Tangible) of any structure
• Any change in requirement after the initial stage can be aligned to make a new variation of the 3D Printed Model.
• 3D Printing architecture model helps the clients to visualize the actual structure.
• This also helps in reducing the effort of architecture
• Creating a prototype of a model
• Its application can also be seen in making different variations of a single part of the project.
• Most importantly it is useful to impress the clients and real estate agents for the best deal on projects.

Nowadays, you can observe various integration of 3d printing hubs with architectural firms.

Why?

Because It’s making the job of architecture much easier than ever before.

As compared to the traditional methods of creating a tangible model of the project, 3D Printing has changed every dimension in terms of cost, time, quality, and modification.

What is 3d printing in architecture?

Application of 3D printing in architecture is not new. Even it is in the industry for many years now.

From exterior design prototype to interior design, a high level of detailing is one of the advantages of 3D printing when it comes to the architecture.

Surprisingly, the use of 3D Printing also giving a great scope of future for the construction industry as well.

As a matter of fact, Dubai is the first country to witness a 3D Printed house. The complete structure of the 3d printed house took only 17 days.

This clearly shows the great future of 3D Printing in the architecture and construction industry as well.

If you are into the industry of architecture and haven’t started implementing this technology, then you have a great way to outstand your work.

At least many architecture firms are doing this right now as they are working as an early mover in this case.

For example, Bercy chain studio is one of the architecture firms that is leveraging the 3D printing technology into their work.

As a result, the productivity and efficiency of output increased tremendously, thanks to 3d Printers.

This is not the only case, where architecture firms are depending on the 3D Printing technology.

Below are different firms that also integrating this within their system:

Benefits

Now, this is the part where the detail benefits of 3D Printing for architecture will be discussed.

I have given some key points regarding the use of 3d printing in an architecture’s life:

Cost

Yes, it is saving a lot of money and effort as well to create a complete prototype of a structure.

Because of the involvement of intense labour work, the minimum amount of money to complete the making of a 3D Architecture model(Tangible/physical model) is more as compared to the modern application of 3d printing.

In case of 3D Printing, from making the file ready for the 3D Print to the post-processing if the model becomes so easy and hardly takes 2–3 days.

The traditional way of making such models involves the hand made the process, where the different parts of the building need to be sized and attached at the right place.

Ask any architecture, this is a hell lot of difficult task.

As a result, this amount of money to afford such efforts is also high.

Now, you can imagine why even a simple physical model of any project is that much expensive.

Thanks to the 3D Printing technology, the cost can be reduced significantly, as the 3d printer does not require that much effort from labour.

It only takes the filament to continue the working and even the post-processing task is also an easy task that any person could do it precisely.

Time

In many cases, the time from beginning to the end of making a 3d model can take around weeks, whereas this amount gets significantly reduced when it comes to 3D Printing.

An average of a few days is more than enough to finish the working of creating 3d model architecture. As a result, this is also playing a vital role in saving the time which can be further utilised to create more 3D model (both simple and complex structure as well) n shorter period of time.

Along with the time, the process is also an automating task where no interference is needed during the process of 3d printing. This also frees the architecture to focus on other things such as creating a 3D model, preparing the report for pitching different clients as well.

Quality

You may think that hand made quality must be much better than artificial works.

Well, it’s just a myth because the printing quality from a 3d printer is super fine.

First, you must understand that 3D Printer works by creating layer by layer and the process continues until the required height of the object is completed.

In this case, the diameter of every layer will decide how fine the surface of the 3d model will be. In case you’re unfamiliar with the layer height, then I must tell you that with the help of 3D Printing in architecture, you can go with as low as 0.05 mm diameter.

Well, I must tell you that this is more than enough for a surface to look as smooth as anything.

Detailing of a 3D Printed architecture model

Let’s not judge the quality of a 3d model only by seeing the surface smoothness.

Along with the smoothness of the surface, the detailing of the structure plays a crucial role in defining the quality of a 3d model.

Because most of the 3D models are used to showcase the design and functionality of a project to its potential clients or real estate agents.

Therefore high detailing is a key to get high conversions.

In this case, 3D Printing also has an edge over the traditional method.

Because the 3D printer can accurately print the overhang and even much more complex structures with ease.

The quality of the print does not get affected by the complexity of any 3d structure.

Though the post-processing work could be a little more, the overall quality, time and cost of the project is still in the favour of 3D Printing in architecture.

The advantages

I already discussed that the 3D model could be used as a tool to impress the clients. The primary goal is to get more projects and that can be done by showing the best design and functionality of a structure.

Traditionally the 3D model or even in some cases hand made 3D architecture model is also used to showcase the best design to the clients.

But in the era of 3D Printing technology, from large to small architecture firms can afford the 3D Printed model. As a result, this will help to increase the visualization process of agents.

Why?

Human minds are more capable of capturing any 3d object rather than a two-dimensional view of the building on the computer screen.

Therefore, a 3D Printed model completed in much less time is also a factor which may impress clients in order to get the deal.

How is 3d printing used in architecture

Let’s get to the fun yet learnable part of this article, where I will show the significant differences between the traditional way and the 3D Printing way.

3D Printing architecture design

Here, I will show how exactly it looks like to get a 3D Printed model for architecture. Along with this, the detailing and quality of 3D Model made with 3D Printing is another key point of this part.

3D Printing for architecture students is also a blessing in terms of a project, presentation and many more.

Whether you’re a student or working in an architecture firm and looking for great 3D Printer at an affordable price, here it is:

IN CASE, YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE 3D PRINTING SERVICE FOR YOUR PROJECT, THEN CONTACT US AT [email protected]Or, You can visit us atCubeRose

Let’s say you are yet to work in an architecture firm or currently you are studying to become an architect in future, then how can 3D Printing help you.

First of all, the use of 3D Printing is not only restricted to architecture and construction. The impacts of this technology also can be seen in educational, health-care, and even more industries as well.

Therefore as a student of architecture, you too have the chance of utilising the potential of 3D Printing.

Below I have listed some ideas that you too can go for as architecture or civil engineering students.

• Use this technology to make your college project
• You got a creative idea, print it with 3D Printing service and surprise everyone
• Turn your 3D files into a 3D physical model so that people who don’t belong to your educational background can enjoy your work.
• Share on social media to get noticed by architecture firms.
• Make your own project with the help of 3D printing to add an extra point in your resume.

Before you leave, I have some handpicked article for you which you may Love:

Future Scope

Let’s sum it up.

From the application of 3d printing to its various benefits especially in the field of architecture is discussed.

Time, cost, budget, and even detailing are the key points that is considered while comparing the traditional way and 3d printing way of working.

Along with this, the impacts of 3d printing in architecture is yet to be improved for more application.

Currently, this technology has one visible drawback which is the duration to print a model.

Because there is a high chance that this will help in improving the time duration of any 3d printer.

F the speed of any 3d printer gets 10x improved then imagine how more useful it would be to the architectures.

Architectures firms will be able to 3D print a complete model within a day, that’s quite unbelievable as compared to 10 years back from now.

Since there is a scope of improvement in this technology, it is hopeful that there will be more architecture firms that will leverage this technology within their work.

In conclusion, the role and impact of 3d printing, are undoubtedly unavoidable because of its many advantages over the traditional way of making 3D architecture model.

Originally published at https://cuberose.in on April 1, 2020.