MuDD architects uses drone spraying to transform a damaged façade in brussels

for this project, which is aptly tited the ‘droncrete mural’, MuDD architects showcases the capabilities of drone spraying to transform and refurbish neglected façades in city centers. the work was performed live on november 29th, 2019, in the anderlecht district of brussels. situated in an ex-industrial area, the location is currently a place where squatters and artists are living, before it’s to be transformed into new offices and an urban park in 2020. 

all images © nassim gaddari

the performance was effectively a platform for MuDD architects to display how drone spraying can be utilized at large scale and in a complex urban context. working within in a netted space, the 15-meter tall wall, which was previously damaged and covered in graffiti, was given an ornamental coating with clay based mortars.

the dronecrete mural intends to highlight new urban realities where drones could be the new cranes and significantly reduce the cost, time and more importantly the danger level for workers on site. this in turn would allow more time and budget for skilled master crafters to perform specific tasks.

in the future, the team envision the process being used for different large scale freeform architectural envelopes. the dronecrete mural utilized some clay and lime mixes, however, with more time natural fibers such as hemp wool or cork dust can be drone sprayed directly onto wet layers. the team is currently working on the choreography of different drones spraying simultaneously where drying times, speed of deposition, thickness control amongst other parameters will be set in the drone flight programs, allowing more sustainable mortars to be introduced in the construction market thanks to increased control of their use.

project info:

project name: the dronecrete mural

location: brussels, belgium 

architecture team: MuDD architects – stephanie chaltiel fabio gatti

drone team: michael daris, sebastien goessens, pierre latteur uc louvain

drone footage: serge de neuter

photography: nassim gaddari

stencils pattern research: summum engineering

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom