Researchers have worked closely with the team at SHoP Architects to create what could be a potential alternative to steel and concrete with the SM2ART Nfloor cassette panel. It is a progressive development in structural floor material as it is entirely crafted from bioplastic and wood flour. These panels are made using 3D printing technology at the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Lab and University of Maine.
Principal at SHoP, Jogn Cerone shares the design process with Dezeen, noting "We saw the precedent in the aerospace industry, where they introduce new technologies within small parts and expand outward to the whole. We applied that principle by isolating a building system product — a light-gauge steel floor cassette assembly — from an existing supply-chain partner to benchmark its replacement with a single solid-state, printed, bio-based part."
Wood-Waste Strong Floor Panels
SHoP Architects Develops the SM2ART Nfloor Cassette Panel
Trend Themes
1. Bio-based Construction Materials - The development of bioplastic and wood flour-based structural panels signals a shift towards sustainable construction practices.
2. 3d-printed Building Components - Using 3D printing technology to create floor panels demonstrates the increasing feasibility of additive manufacturing in large-scale construction.
3. Aerospace-inspired Building Systems - Applying aerospace engineering principles to building component design highlights a cross-industry innovation approach potentially revolutionizing the construction sector.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - The construction industry can benefit significantly from incorporating bioplastic and wood-waste materials which promise ecological and performance advantages.
2. 3D Printing - The 3D printing industry stands to expand its market by creating robust, sustainable components for construction, illustrating an emerging application avenue.
3. Aerospace - The crossover of aerospace technology into construction material design suggests a growing trend of interdisciplinary innovations yielding high-performance building solutions.