Digital Metal: Shaping Liquid

metalic structure assembled in a green field outside, with a person under it

Shaping Liquid was set to explore the indirect use of 3D printing which combines 3D printing and casting. An ancient fabrication method, casting metal, was combined with the new technology of 3D printing allowing for new possibilities of shaping metal with the help of computational design tools into complex custom parts. Here, we want to benefit from the geometric freedom of 3D printing and the flexibility of metal casting. Metal has been a building material for a long time. Shaping metal through 3D printed molds allows the fabrication of building parts with complex inner and outer features as well as highly detailed surface, which can be used as full-scale building elements.

The pavilion consists of approximately 200 custom aluminium joints and 600 aluminium rods of varying diameter.

more information about this project

people climbing onto the metal structure with sunlight peeking through the complex frames

intricate metalic connections, close up of one of the connections of the pavillion to the ground

mold pieces used to cast the metallic connectors

close up of half the structure with two people in the scene

the entire pavilion in the field with students standing under it and sitting next to it

Metallic connector cast with custom and complex design

Digital Building Technologies
Prof. Benjamin Dillenburger

Teaching Team: Mania Aghaei Meibodi and Rena Giesecke

Sponsors and Collaborators: DGS Druckguss-Systeme AG, Aluminium-Laufen AG Liesberg, Aluminium-Verband Schweiz, Christenguss AG

Special Thanks: Dr. Mario Rinke, Jean Philippe and Loulia Marouda