XtreeE 3D concrete printing
French company XtreeE has been using 3D printed concrete in projects since 2015. Their latest creation, completed in March 2017, is an organic truss-style support structure for a preschool playground in Aix-en-Provence.
The building itself was designed by Marc Dalibard, but XtreeE executed the final design and production of the concrete column.
The finished piece stands 4 m tall and blends seamlessly with the concrete of the preschool building.
To create the structure, XtreeE programmed an industrial robot to extrude a special mixture of concrete to form the ‘envelope’, or outer layer, of the organic structure. The hollow envelope was then filled with concrete and filed to remove the appearance of each printed layer, creating a smooth surface that calls to mind the twisted roots of a tree.
The structure was printed in segments at the XtreeE studio and then assembled on site. The printing process took over 15 hours, however, they believe that in theory, once the print program is written, it could be used to produce a large number of identical concrete supports with less workforce requirements than traditional methods.
Content and images courtesy of XtreeE.
Images © Lisa Ricciotti
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Download your free guide.
Four new types of prior approval for solar developments
Online Planning Portal application types from 5 September.
Election fails to spark construction industry revival
Contract awards and planning; post election.
Making diversity and inclusion easy for SMEs
The CIOB tool for companies with limited resources.
Sustainable Futures: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
BSRIA Briefing 2024, initial speakers announced.
Looking back at the UK's first Passivhaus leisure centre
Reflections on St Sidwell’s Point with CIAT.
A-Level results and electrical apprenticeships
Electrical Skills Index highlights areas with skills shortages.
One of the world's more unusual drive-throughs.
A quick introduction.
Hadrian's Wall Path and the national trails
The trails are heritage assets in their own right.
Articles on timely advice and hydraulic lime.
Building Designers Association of Australia
CIAT and BDAA sign Memorandum of Understanding.
Built Environment Inclusive partners issue statement committed to inclusion.
Building regulation requirements can have unintended consequences.
CIOB announces 2024/25 vice president
Sustainability champion Professor Saul Humphrey.
Accelerating towards a net-zero built environment.