seoul-based studio SWNA 3D prints concrete to fabricate 'the curtained wall'

seoul-based experimental design studio SWNA investigates large-scale digital fabrication with its 3D-printed concrete work entitled ‘the curtained wall.’ the team designed and built the project for south korea’s gwangju design center. realized entirely with the use of of 3D printers, the installation expresses influence from the undulating surfaces of curtains blowing in the wind. in developing each form, a vertical surface is manipulated with a pleated base so that the concrete structure can stand on its own. the curtained wall serves to test the significance of the material and the strategy of 3D printing concrete.

images courtesy of SWNA and gwangju design center

SWNA explores strategies of digital fabrication in the creation of its 3D printed concrete installation ‘the curtained wall’ for the gwangju design center. before the printing process, the team of experimental designers virtually model the five the curtained walls, simulating a windy effect in three dimensions, and capturing the curtains that were affected by this environment. the organic geometry, once captured, is further digitally modeled to conduct structural research so that the wall can stand on its own. collaborating with korea-based concrete 3D printing company CORONA, two or more nozzles of the 3D printer were used to produce a stack by extruding concrete through the nozzles.

project info:

project title: the curtained wall

architecture: SWNA

location: gwangju, south korea

client: gwangju design center

photography: courtesy of SWNA and gwangju design center