In partnership with the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery is hosting an exhibition of 3D printed façade systems by graduate students. The students were challenged to combine cutting-edge 3D printing technology and ancient materials to create innovative architectural solutions.
Students created six wall or façade systems that explore the plasticity, elegance and architectural quality of clay. The installations include a wall that whistles with the wind, an ornamental screen wall and an archway that can act as a sundial.
With beauty and performance in mind, the graduate students considered how clay, a material that has been used in building for years, can be used to make advanced building construction systems.
While making use of their design skills, the architecture students learned about different types of clay, pottery, brick production and 3D printing techniques. The 3D printing technology allows students to modify every brick individually and enables more complex geometry than would be attainable using conventional brick-making methods.
Each installation was developed by a group of three, which developed their own vision of what 3D printed clay can do in creating building components, and explored how the highly used building material of clay can be re-invented for the future.
Material Syntax: 3D Printed Clay is coordinated by assistant professor David Correa and Yesul Elly Cho. It is on display at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery from April 28th to June 8, 2019.
