The Future of Architecture: How Today’s 3D-Printed Projects Could Shape Tomorrow’s Urban Landscape

The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.  

In 1981, Dr. Hideo Kodama invented the first rapid prototyping machine. A couple of years later, in 1986, Chuck Hull filed the first patent for stereolithography (SLA). Even though it was not apparent at the time, both inventors changed the course of manufacturing forever. One of the most significant advantages of 3D printing is its ability to materialize complex designs with impressive speed and precision while using specific amounts of the material necessary, thus reducing waste. In parallel, 3D printing technology is also democratizing manufacturing by allowing small firms and individuals to participate in their own custom components.

Even though architects are highly aware of the benefits of such technology and have witnessed countless 3D printing applications, the scale of these endeavors has primarily remained quite small. In the realm of architecture and construction, 3D printing is mostly used to print models of the actual designs rather than the design itself. Issues such as technical limitations, the lack of large-scale printers as well as concerns about material durability pose significant challenges. Still, what if we could 3D print entire cities? What kind of future settings and applications would this technology unlock?

213 Third Avenue by KUSHNER studios Architecture & Design PC, Brooklyn, New York | Popular Choice Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Models and Rendering | This 14-story new residential building, planned for construction, will feature a unique ground floor system of two-story high 3D printed commercial entryways and storefronts. The company producing the 3D components is an offshoot of the designer’s architectural practice, allowing a unique delivery methodology that bypasses many of the traditional conflicts present in the current traditional architect-contractor paradigm.

Scenario 01: The Circular Metropolis

It is 2060 and a newly established city situated in Munich’s outskirts, entirely constructed using eco-friendly 3D printing materials. Walls, slabs and roofs are made of concrete, synthesized by the water and soil found on site. Disintegratable resin is used for windows and glass panels, while furniture and utility devices are 3D printed using locally sourced metals and alloys. The Circular Metropolis is primarily a research center and home to innovators who have majored in material science and aspire to develop robust and long-lasting material composites.

House Zero by ICON and Lake|Flato Architects, Austin, Texas | Jury Winner, Architecture +Experimental Design; Jury Winner, Architecture +New Technlogy, 11th Annual A+Awards

Back in 2022, House Zero, located in Austin, Texas, was completed. The project was materialized by using a 9500 pound robot that 3D printed the entirety of the residence’s walls made of a proprietary cementitious-based material dubbed “Lavacrete,” insulation, and some steel for reinforcing. The material provides increased insulation, forming an air-tight wall that slows the heat transfer into the home.

Scenario 02: The Rapid Relief Disaster Zone

On June 19th, 2043, San Francisco is devastated by a major tsunami, destroying most parts of the city. Within days of the disaster, large-scale 3D printing arms are deployed, creating temporary shelters in just a couple of hours. Over the following months, residents are contributing to the reconstruction of their homes and the city’s infrastructure, designing components and feeding them into 3D printing robots, situated all over the city. 3D printed levees and barriers are installed to protect against future flooding, turning San Francisco into an urban design model for disaster response.

Striatus 3D Printed Bridge by Zaha Hadid Architects, Venice, Italy | Jury Winner, Architecture +Concrete, 12th Annual A+Awards

In 2021, an arched masonry footbridge composed of 3D printed concrete blocks that demand no mortar or reinforcement was exhibited at the Giardini della Marinaressa during the Venice Architecture Biennale. Known as Striatus, this “striated” compression-only structure is made of flexible, interlocking building blocks, which could become dismantled and reassembled to respond to any context or functional requirement.

Scenario 03: The Heritage Preservation District

In 2037, the restoration works for the Acropolis in Athens are coming to a close. Using precise 3D printed replicas of the damaged building elements, a series of parts are produced to “fill in the gaps” of the ancient temples. The components are 3D printed out of a special pigment made of marble dust, ensuring longevity and durability, while at the same time blending seamlessly with the existing historic structure. The success of the project has instigated a new conservation program that aims to use the same processes and technologies to restore the array of deteriorating neoclassical buildings currently scattered within Athens’ historic city centre.

New Delft Blue by Studio RAP, Delft, Netherlands

In 2023, the project New Delft Blue, situated in the historic Dutch city, Delft, was completed. By integrating 3D clay printing, computational design and traditional glazing techniques, New Delft Blue set a precedent by reinterpreting traditional ceramic ornamentation and creating its contemporary 21st century version, unfolding a new architectural restoration potential based on the design language of Delft Blue porcelain.

Scenario 04: The Mars Colony

In 2100, a self-sustaining colony on Mars is constructed using entirely  3D printing technology with locally (i.e. interplanetary) sourced materials. The colony consists of domes and tunnels, designed to protect inhabitants from harsh Martian conditions. Colonists use 3D printers to create durable and insulated structures, made of regolith (MaDtian soil), functioning as greenhouses that provide fresh food, shelters and recycling centers. The portability and ease-of-use of these extraterrestrial 3d printers allow colonists to construct additional structures to accommodate their ever-growing community.

Sandy Darak Pavilion by ArmaniArchitects, Chabahar, Iran

The village of Darak is an area in Iran where the sea surrounds the sand dunes of the desert. In 2025, the construction of the Sandy Darak Pavilion will be completed. The structure is materialized through a special 3D printer, which can use endemic materials, such as clay and sand. In parallel, by using a layer-by-layer construction method, the form is gradually created without any harm or disruption to the environment and the natural surroundings.

This juxtaposition between projects that are currently materialized and potential future architectural scenarios reveal 3d printing’s immense potential. Eco-friendly materials, customizable kits-of-parts, precise components for architectural restoration as well as methods of construction that are respectful towards their context are all practices that are already becoming implemented through the 3d printing industry. By looking at today’s projects as architectural and technological prototypes, fosters an aspiration for taking these “methodologies” further and creating a future where sustainable, innovative, and contextually respectful architecture and — more importantly — its materialization becomes a reality.

The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.  

Featured Image: House Zero by ICON and Lake|Flato Architects