3D Printing

D-Shape® is a method of digital construction that uses a binder jetting 3D printer for architecture. D-Shape materializes buildings or building blocks directly from your computer via a process of alternating layers of granular material and writing on them with an appropriate ‘Ink Binder’ that turns the granular material into a shape. D-Shape deposits any mix granular material and fibers in a range of diameter starting from 0,1 to 4 mm (and theoretically also up to 20 mm, if requested), and any ‘Ink Binder’ having a viscosity between water and a slurry. The nozzles of the D-Shape’s printer head deposits drops of ‘Ink Binder’ whose volume are about 100 times bigger than existing inkjet printer heads. Seen from the outside, the D-Shape appears as a portal structure which supports a peripheral frame raised along four columns. On the frame there are two gantries, one of which distribute and spreads a granular material, while the second holds a multi-binder-jetting print head. D-Shape is designed to be multi material and multi-binder: the granular material may be of almost any nature, while the binder may be an aqueous solution of different additives. The gantry distributor is powered by a feeding system of granular material from the ground, while the print head is fed by a tank and by a hydraulic system. A personal computer supervises all control operations of the machine. The process can be automatic, but the presence of at least one operator and a few assistants is compulsory: every moment of the process must be monitored to ensure the quality of the manufacturing process and the efficiency of the machine.

D-Shape® is the original and only large-scale 3D printer that can build up entire conglomerate building structures in one go, from the basement to the roof, including ceilings, stairs, base- and high-reliefs, and partitioning walls. This is made possible by the particular material deposition technique that makes the structure self-sustaining during its construction. In this way, if the resistance of the material allows it, it is possible to construct buildings of any shape.

In 2010 the Triennale Milano commissioned to Dinitech the 3D Printing of the first one- shot-printed house ever. The […]

UnaCasaTuttaDiUnPezzo

Project for a villa in Sardinia, printed in 3D.

Organic Villa

An urban temple project for the city hall of Pontedera (Pisa). Radiolaria is an organic, open-cell design by Andrea Morgante, […]

The Radiolaria pavilion

This Root Chair designed by  KOL/MAC  LLC  Architecture + Design has been the very first item sold by D-Shape in […]

Root chair