The design theme of this master’s thesis is a research and presentation centre for ‘artificial wood’, a new bio-composite currently under development based on cellulose fibres and lignin, and its application in 3D printing.
The centre will not only serve as a research facility, but also as an exhibition space, demonstrating the versatility of the sustainable material – which acquires different properties and degrees of transparency depending on the mixture.
The design of the centre includes a showroom for presenting research results as well as an office block containing seminar and workshop rooms. This reflects the dual function of the centre: as a place to impart knowledge and as a practical workshop for innovations in the construction industry. A key aspect of the project is the integration of sustainable materials and technologies, in particular the use of wood as a sustainable raw material and research into the potential of 3D printing with wood. The sustainability of the project is emphasised by the holistic use of wood and the emphasis on the ecological, innovative and social significance of the wood initiative. The master’s thesis examines how traditional wood processing can be complemented by innovative approaches to increase the efficiency and sustainability of construction. In the area of design and concept development, the use of point clouds is presented as an innovative design method. This method makes it possible to view building materials in their entirety and convert them into a digital form that opens up new possibilities in architecture. The design of the research centre is intended to introduce a new design language in sustainable architecture while taking into account the internal structure and volumetric composition of building materials. The master’s thesis also looks at technological innovations and future prospects, in particular the role of 3D printing in wood processing. This technology has the potential to revolutionise the construction industry by enabling complex structures to be created efficiently and sustainably.
