Aectual Offers Circular Interior Design Using 3D Printing

3D printing has a wow factor; it appeals as a unique selling point for the production of many kinds of pieces, both industrial and consumer, and for a range of applications from art and design to engineering. One example of a company showcasing this brilliance is Aectual (pronounced like Actual), a Dutch architecture and interior design firm offering sustainable pieces created in a circular process. Their website offers a range of eco-friendly products, from small objects for home and garden such as plant pots, to large room dividers. Aside from consumer goods, Aectual has an impressive portfolio of corporate collaborations including Disney and Nike, offering them the opportunity to use their creative talent and technical 3D printing skills for architectural showpieces. To learn more about Aectual’s vision and exciting projects, we spoke to Hedwig Heinsman, Co-founder and Creative Director of the firm.

3DN: Could You Introduce Yourself and Your Link With 3D Printing?

I’m an architect and co-founder of Aectual, together with Hans Vermeulen and Martine de Wit, both architects as well. Some 15 years ago, while running our architecture firm DUS at the time, we became very fascinated with 3D printing. We saw it as a means to really revolutionize the building industry, on so many levels, from limiting waste, upcycling waste materials, and working with local materials, to increasing design possibilities and introducing mass customization. This led us to develop one of the World’s first large scale 3D printers at the time, and also to initiate the 3D Print Canal House Project, a design-and build research project that explored new housing solutions via XL 3D printing. We received so much interest and questions from other designers and industry professionals, that we decided to share our technology via a new platform, Aectual, where Hans is CEO, Martine head of product and I have the role of creative director.