Wood 3D Printing Is Being Used for More Eco-Friendly Lights

Though best known for polymers and metals, more than ever 3D printing is widening its horizons when it comes to material development. This is especially the case when it comes to more sustainable materials. And what could be more eco-friendly than wood itself? At least that is the thought process of Forust and Desktop Metal. With the release of the Shop System™ – Forust Edition, the companies are seeking to make high-volume, affordable wood 3D printing using binder jetting. The technology has already been adopted for a number of projects including the creation of 3D printed decorative pendant lights, called Cocoon, through a collaboration with the designers HagenHinderdael.

As mentioned, Cocoon is the brainchild of Forust and HagenHinderdael, an award-winning creative practice who wish to combine suitable design and innovative technology in their immersive installations. Helmed by Sofia Hagen and Lisa Hindardael, the company pursues an approach that explores the relationship between immersive art and biophilic design, a concept that in and of itself aims to increase the connection between people and nature within buildings. And this has been achieved through the creation of Cocoon, a 3D printed, sustainable, decorative pendant that transforms wood waste into an organic, technologically advanced light.

The finished (left) and unfinished (right) Cocoon (photo credits: Anders Gramer)

Using Wood 3D Printing to Create Cocoon

Cocoon is the culmination of a variety of different concepts. However, the ultimate goal was to create a light that not only was sustainable, but which also resembled an organic structure, speaking to the natural materials used. And this was certainly achieved. Thanks to the use of Forust and Desktop Metal’s innovative wood 3D printing technology, Cocoon was developed using an innovative process that is able to reduce timber waste. The final part is thus not only eco-friendly, but fully degradable.