Researchers at ETH Zurich Designs the Cadenza Staircase
Amy Duong — October 15, 2024 — Art & Design
ROK Architects works together with a team of researchers at the tech university ETH Zurich to create the Cadenza concrete spiral staircase. It is inspired by the spine and approaches construction with material-saving sustainability. The Cadenza staircase is the latest addition to the NEST building, which is a lab for experimental fabrication techniques by the school with other research institutes.
Head of the school, Benjamin Dillenburger shares, "Customised concrete structures are a challenge for conventional formwork. Digital design-to-production frameworks with 3D-printed formwork offer huge advantages for architectural expression, structural performance and material efficiency. The steps have a thickness of only 20 millimetres and have been structurally optimised for drastic weight reduction. Their production leads to little waste as a single set of 3D-printed formwork permits the production of all the steps."
Image Credit: ETH Zurich
Head of the school, Benjamin Dillenburger shares, "Customised concrete structures are a challenge for conventional formwork. Digital design-to-production frameworks with 3D-printed formwork offer huge advantages for architectural expression, structural performance and material efficiency. The steps have a thickness of only 20 millimetres and have been structurally optimised for drastic weight reduction. Their production leads to little waste as a single set of 3D-printed formwork permits the production of all the steps."
Image Credit: ETH Zurich
Trend Themes
1. Eco-friendly Construction - The use of material-saving techniques and digital design in the Cadenza staircase highlights a shift towards sustainable building practices.
2. 3d-printed Formwork - Digitally fabricated formwork allows for more complex and optimized designs, reducing waste and improving structural efficiency.
3. Architectural Innovation - Collaborative efforts between architects and researchers lead to innovative structures like the Cadenza staircase that push the boundaries of traditional architectural forms.
Industry Implications
1. Sustainable Architecture - Adopting eco-friendly materials and designs in architectural projects is paving the way for more sustainable urban environments.
2. 3D Printing - The integration of 3D printing in construction allows for highly customized, efficient, and sustainable building processes.
3. Educational Research - Partnerships between universities and architectural firms for experimental projects are fostering a new era of innovation in building design.
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