2022
TOVA
Valldaura Living Prototype
IAAC’s 3DPA/OTF 2021-2022 in collaboration with the living prototypes group culminated its progressive years of research in investigating sustainable alternative construction technologies, in delivering Spain’s first 3D printed earthen building.
The prototype is located within the natural Corcerolla park in Barcelona, and adopts a hand in glove approach in material selection with its context. Dubbed ‘living prototype’ it is constructed with 100% sustainable materials, all obtained within a radius of 500m from the site. Research into the soil’s properties informs the use of more durable geopolymers for substructure, composite natural soil mixture for the walls and a timber structure for the roof.
The small but sophisticated prototype meticulously factors in performative design strategies. This having been informed by a two-week design charette where the students synthesized lessons learnt from the research phase in coming up with design details on; light openings, airflow, wall cavity ventilation, heat conductivity, roof structure, built-in furnishings, waterproofing and ground interface design.
Year:
- 2021/22
IAAC Team
- Edouard Cabay, Alexandre Dubor, Lili Tayefi, Vincent Huyghe, Ashkan Foroughi, Eduardo Chamorro Martin, Elisabetta Carnevale, Guillem Baraut, Gloria Font basté, Nikol Kirova, Francesco Polvi, Bruno Ganem Coutinho, Marielena Papandreou and David Skaroupka.
Project partners
- Colette, WASP, UN-Habitat, BAC Engineering, LaSalle, SmartCitizen, Scuares and Living Prototypes Research Innovation
Researchers
- Adel Alatassi, Aslinur Taskin, Charles Musyoki, Deena El-Mahdy, Eugene Marais, Hendrik Benz, Juliana Rodriguez Torres, Leonardo Bin, Mariam Arwa, Al-Hachami, Marwa Abdelrahim, Mehdi Harrak, Michelle Bezik, Michelle Antonietta Isoldi Campinho, Mouad Laalou, Nareh, Khaloian Sarnaghi, Nawaal Saksouk, Orestis Pavlidis and Seni Boni Dara.
Acknowledgements
- Areti Markopoulou, Mathilde Marengo, Ricardo Mayor, Shyam Zonca, Pilar Xiquez, Ariannet Arias, Gabriel Frederick, Nicolas Rodriguez, Daniela Figueroa, Laura Ruggeri, Xavier Molons, Jorge Ramirez, Jordi Guizán Bedoya, Massimo Visiona, Lapo Naldoni, Massimo Moretti and Francesca Moretti.
Photo
- Gregori Civera
3DPA participates in the Living Prototypes collaborative project and is supported by the Federal Research Institute for Construction, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development of the Ministry of the Interior, Construction and Community with funding from the Zukunft Bau research innovation program.
3D printing additive manufacturing in the construction industry has the capacity of qualitative measurement in making design decisions. The built-up area of 9m2, is informed by, schematic distribution, printer radius, and print time logistics as to what the team of 18 students would be capable of producing within 2 months; the data in determining this having been informed by a workshop carried out at the onslaught of the program. The completion of the project cumulated to a total of 89 print hours and 13.5 tonnes of earth used; comprising 165 layers stacking up to 2.2 meters in height.
The proposed layout of the scheme further factors in structural considerations; that’s in the roof’s truss system, as well as the innate structure of the clay walls. The walls are designed to brace with T and L junctions, as opposed to straight lines. The resulting enclosed interior space is habitable, weatherproof and climatically adapted by the various design interventions.
