3D printing takes on the restoration of a historic building

EDG is a New York-based architecture firm that says it has developed a new method of digital sculpture, called “Modern Ornamental”, used to restore a building in New York City. This method relies on 3D printing to make complex molds to produce concrete structures. A cheaper, faster process that would better maintain a building.

The relationship between new technologies and craftsmanship is growing stronger and has undergone significant changes in its very nature. For example, if we look at additive manufacturing, we realize that it was used to design small objects, prototypes and in turn is now gradually being used for large-scale achievements, such as building houses. Artists and craftsmen are adopting these digital tools for new means of expression. 3D printing would become an additional tool at their disposal to perfect their work.

Additive manufacturing at the service of architecture

The EDG firm turned to additive manufacturing for the same reasons, with a desire to restore an old building in New York. They have developed the “Modern Ornamental”, a technique that involves the use of CAD software and algorithmic modeling programs that develop renditions of structures that can then be 3D printed. However, rather than creating solid 3D printed parts, which can often be expensive and time-consuming, the team created different molds. They used a MakerBot Replicator Z18 to create their prototypes.