When I talk about 3D printing to people who are not designers, there’s often an ambivalence towards this solution. On the one hand, do we really need more plastic objects in this world? On the other hand, 3D printing can play a major part in reducing waste – if production is specifically tailored to demand, the surplus doesn’t end up in a landfill or an incinerator somewhere. And as 3D printing techniques advance, the raw materials used are becoming more diverse. It’s not just petroleum-based plastics anymore.
Case in point: this 3D-printed “Cabin of Curiosities” from Emerging Objects that has been making the rounds on architecture and design blogs lately.
Emerging Objects describes their design as a “weather tight, structurally sound” building meant as an experiment towards addressing the housing crisis in the Bay Area. Yes, it is all that. But what we’re crushing on at Green with Purpose is the living wall of succulents and air plants.
The facade of the cabin is a honeycomb-like pattern of planter tiles made out of cement, chardonnay grape skin pomace, sawdust and coffee grounds. Four of the six tiles in every cluster is home to a living plant, and that’s a great ratio to satisfy even the most inveterate succulent collector.
The design team at this self-described ‘MAKE-tank’ opted for succulents because these plants thrive in the sunny Northern California climate. (The project is located in Oakland, California.) Succulents are also hardy in dry climates and don’t need a lot of soil to thrive.
It’s not hard to imagine placing the 3D-printed tiles with their incorporated succulent and air plant groves on other types of structures. The hexagonal tiles would be a great addition to the exterior walls of regular cottages. In my dream scenario, the succulent wall would integrate perfectly into an outdoor shower structure.
And if you hop over to the Emerging Objects website, make sure to have a look at their 3D-printed ceramic planter bricks. The bricks, designed by Rael San Fratello Architects, can be incorporated in a variety of structures to help mediate the temperature of the microclimate around the wall, reduce sound pollution and help filter the air.
All photos via Emerging Objects by Matthew Millman Photography
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For more green design
+ Botanical hanger inspired by nature and Gaudi
+ The lamp-terrarium ecosystem
+ The Calabash plant hanger made out of potato starch and sawdust
