This project explores the roughness of a bio-circular material as a design feature controlled through a 3D printing process. Through experimentation, the project demonstrates how surface roughness is dependent on 3D printing parameter variations. By measuring the absorption coefficients, the project reveals that these parameters can be modified to influence the material’s acoustic properties. As an outcome, Controlling Roughness proposes a set of blocks that show a contrast in acoustic absorption from none to very pronounced parameter variations.
What if buildings could sound different due to how they’re printed?
Bio-circular materials provide a smaller embodied carbon footprint, answering the need for more sustainable construction practices in architecture. Nevertheless, these materials come with increased handling complexity compared to standard industrialized materials. In this context, Controlling Roughness shows how such material can be manufactured in a way that shows its competence and proves its place in the architectural context.
Controlling Roughness implements a material recipe by the studio Omlab. With this material, the project investigates how 3D printing can be leveraged to enhance the unique roughness of the material.
Through a series of experiments, findings demonstrate that surface roughness is influenced by modifying 3D printing parameters.
Architectural acoustics is a design problem highly influenced by wall surface treatment. Accordingly, the relationship between surface roughness and acoustic performance was studied.
By measuring the absorption coefficients of different specimens, findings revealed that 3D printing parameters can be modified to influence the material’s acoustic properties.
As an outcome, Controlling Roughness proposes a set of blocks produced with the bio-circular material. These blocks show a contrast in acoustic absorption from none to very pronounced parameter variations.
Controlling roughness shows that additive manufacturing enables the design of multi-scale surface roughness that influences acoustic performance. This opens new pathways for 3D printing with bio-circular materials in architectural contexts. Positioning roughness as an asset controlled to meet architectural needs.
#bio-circularmaterials #3D-printedarchitecture #acoustics
