【3D Printed Architecture】Absolute World Towers: Fully Curved Buildings!
The famous "Absolute World Towers" in Canada are renowned for their progressively curved exterior, and because of their beautiful curves, they are also known as the "Marilyn Monroe Towers". This time, 3DMart is challenging this unique architectural model. The "Monroe Towers" have an architectural structure intricately interwoven with glass windows, reflecting a stunning visual effect in the sunlight. How will a 3D print of such a slender object with concave and convex structures turn out?
(The original appearance of the "Monroe Towers" in Canada, image from the internet.)
Only the Ultimaker S5 can handle such a tall object. We chose two-color printing without supports and used the finest layer thickness of 0.15mm. The slicing software Cura 3.6 automatically calculates the estimated printing time. After pressing print, we let the Ultimaker S5 run for two and a half days, then waited for it to finish.
(This model file is provided by Kae. You can find more information about him on this website.)
This time, we happened to run out of material in the middle. The Ultimaker S5 has an automatic filament detection system, which thoughtfully pauses printing until new filament is loaded, preventing print failure due to running out of material.
Ta-da! Just like magic, put it in, print it out, and complete the print incredibly easily. Even before disassembly, you can see the progressive light and shadow of the architectural model itself. The windows are made with white PLA, and the structural parts are distinguished with silver PLA.
Different angles reveal varying light and shadow effects, fully showcasing the unique characteristics of the structure itself. 3D printing is also being increasingly applied in the architectural industry for early-stage visual models (further reading: How does architecture go from concept to award-winning building using 3D printers?). Previously, these were typically made from wood, foam board, and other foamed materials, which was time-consuming and difficult to modify.
Using 3D printing not only speeds up completion but also simplifies the modification process. Additionally, it saves valuable production time, allowing the energy spent on rushing models to be reallocated to design ideation, leading to better results.
The Ultimaker S5 features a dual-extrusion system, allowing it to be used with water-soluble PVA supports. However, for this project, we didn't need support structures and opted for dual-color printing. In this 3D printing mode, we also took close-up shots of the internal details. You can see that the silver outer structure, which doesn't require supports, has a layer where the slope gradually builds outwards. If designers consider these structures in advance during the initial 3D modeling phase, the final product can be smooth and beautiful, which is a crucial aspect of 3D printing.
We are delighted to share this unique "Absolute World Towers" architectural model with you. This file was provided by Kae, and you can find more information about him here. If you also have your own distinctive creations, why not use 3D printing to bring them to life? Alternatively, we also offer 3D printing services using original equipment! We will continue to share new information and practical tests related to 3D printing with you. All the latest news will be posted on our fan page!
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