3D Printed Design for Dutch Design Week: Bio-Inclusive Column

Table of content

Sustainable Column Design at Dutch Design Week 2024

This modular concrete column, featured at DDW 2024, blends digital fabrication, sustainability, and urban ecology. Designed in collaboration with TU Eindhoven and printed by Vertico, it reimagines the classical column as a living, evolving surface.

How It Works: Designed for Urban Biodiversity

Each 3D printed segment supports insect life, moss, and birds through embedded textures and grooves—replacing traditional ornament with function. It’s a new take on classical rhythm, merging sustainable architecture with bio-integrative thinking.

3D Printed Bio-Inclusive Column

Modular Architecture Meets Robotic Fabrication

Inspired by ancient stacked columns, this project utilizes 3D printed modules, pigmented for aesthetic flow and built without formwork. Explore more on Vertico’s 3D concrete printer technology.

Collaborators

  • Design & Computation: Nikolett Ásványi, Mattia Zucco, Cristina Nan
  • Fabrication: Vertico
  • TU/e Built Environment Faculty & students: Loy Xin Yi, Maria Verhulst Babb, Maia Klich
FAQ About the Printheads

Do I need an HMI for printing with Accelerated printhead?

Yes, an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) guides you through the entire 3D printing process with 2-component materials—from preparation to printing and cleaning. It provides real-time data from the printhead’s sensors, giving you full control over the printing process by monitoring key parameters such as accelerant pressure, material flow, etc.

Where can I get materials for 1K printing?

We are open to working with various suppliers, and our experience with multiple market-available materials allows us to offer feedback and local reseller recommendations.

What is the biggest advantage of the Accelerator Printhead compared to a standard one?

The Accelerator Printhead unlocks unparalleled design freedom, allowing for large overhangs, intricate patterns, and complex geometries—perfect for architecture and custom design. It also enables rapid curing, reducing production time while maintaining high precision and structural integrity.

What materials can be used with the Accelerator Printhead?

We have developed a high-resolution, stable material specifically optimized for the Accelerator Printhead. When you purchase a machine, we provide our material recipe free of charge for your local production. Additionally, you can use any suitable material available on the market, offering flexibility for different projects and requirements.

What software does Vertico provide, and is it included with the machine?

Vertico offers an advanced in-house slicer software, designed to handle even the most complex 3D concrete printing projects. Our software comes license-free with every machine purchase, along with full training to ensure you can maximize its potential.

Dive Into the New Era of Design with Vertico

Discover Vertico's state-of-the-art concrete 3D printing solutions that turn visionary ideas into reality.