14TH OCTOBER 2019
14TH OCTOBER 2019
HYBRIDITY
HYBRIDITY
PROJECT TITLE
GREYFRIAR'S GREEN HYBRID CIVIC SPACE
PROJECT TITLE
CLIENT
COVENTRY COUNCIL
GREYFRIAR'S GREEN HYBRID CIVIC SPACE
CLIENT
LOCATION
COVENTRY- United Kingdom
COVENTRY COUNCIL
LOCATION
COVENTRY- United Kingdom
The client for this project clearly instructed our design team that they required a social eating space that also allowed for a residential space. Our design team however wanted to take this further and allow for an integrated social space that would in turn improve the flow and traffic of the public through the city centre of Coventry.
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The project involved creating a housing establishment on a site established close to the motorway in Coventry. After primary and secondary research of the diverse population within Coventry and the food interest, it has. A focus on cultural eating was established and was used as a tool to bring people together in the atrium space where stalls are positioned, they can cook for each other and be involved within the process.
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Creating a permeable open inviting social space was crucial to the success of the project which transferred in to the use of curved glass panels and a tensile fabric roof to promote fluidity that helped create bright and airy conditions for such social interactions to take place.
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The rigid sections of the project such as the housing units required more privacy and subtle measures have been taken to ensure this such as the use of frosted glass, change of levels. These units involved the use of 3D printing as a structural tool which was a lot more efficient, reliable and a cheaper alternative than regular building procedure which ensured the project to be handed on time and lower than the anticipated budget.
The client for this project clearly instructed our design team that they required a social eating space that also allowed for a residential space. Our design team however wanted to take this further and allow for an integrated social space that would in turn improve the flow and traffic of the public through the city centre of Coventry.
​
The project involved creating a housing establishment on a site established close to the motorway in Coventry. After primary and secondary research of the diverse population within Coventry and the food interest, it has. A focus on cultural eating was established and was used as a tool to bring people together in the atrium space where stalls are positioned, they can cook for each other and be involved within the process.
​
Creating a permeable open inviting social space was crucial to the success of the project which transferred in to the use of curved glass panels and a tensile fabric roof to promote fluidity that helped create bright and airy conditions for such social interactions to take place.
​
The rigid sections of the project such as the housing units required more privacy and subtle measures have been taken to ensure this such as the use of frosted glass, change of levels. These units involved the use of 3D printing as a structural tool which was a lot more efficient, reliable and a cheaper alternative than regular building procedure which ensured the project to be handed on time and lower than the anticipated budget.
TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Due to the fact that the business doesn’t begin until the year 2026 cost adjustments on all technology must be accounted to be best possible accuracy. Established technologies having a lesser cost shift, however early development technology such as 3d printing, drones and AR (Augmented reality) is more susceptible to dramatic price reductions due to the refinement of component technology and the growing use by the public. To help calculate the future price points ideally Moore’s law of technological development would be used, however due to it utilising transistors as a measurement it’s not applicable. ‘“Despite the fact that my 3D printer has microprocessors in it, Moore’s Law doesn’t apply.”
To project cost I will use past printer costs in comparison to current and create an average annual cost reduction percentage. The starting point for this comparison is the FDM 3d printer released by 3D Systems in 2007, the first to be $10,000 or bellow, following this price has fallen dramatically to a point well within the affordability of the public sector, with the sub $200 category becoming saturated, however I have selected one specific printer as it represents the sub $200 category while providing high quality results, as told by numerus user reviews. Time difference between 2007 and 2019 of 12 years has seen a $9,800 price drop meaning a 98% total reduction in price or 8.16r% or $816.66 reduction in price per anum. This is a loose annual projection as the price change would not be gradual rather experience incremental jumps as new technology is developed.
Selected 3d printers for use within business:
Concrete/earth based material printer:
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This method (FDM) will be utilised to print secondary structures for pre-existing primary structures, consisting primarily of concrete or steel. Printing can take place on site or at company facilities depending on project requirements or complexity. 3D printing on the scale of buildings is a relatively new endeavour, however there are numerous companies and products currently available, this is due to the potential it offers to radicalise the construction industry. Reduced labour costs/ construction costs and construction times are some of many potential benefits.
The selected printing platform for this role is the CyBe RC 3DP by CyBe Construction, this selection was made following extensive investigation and comparison of currently available 3d Construction printers. The comparative Excel sheet on 3d construction printers will be attached to this research document to support the decisions made. The CyBe RC 3DP was selected for a plethora of reasons:
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The Robotic arm configuration versus the gantry format allows for the printer to be transported in one piece, requiring no large scale assembly on site, limiting labour costs
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The system is crawler track mounted with allows for ease of mobility throughout the project along with transport between projects, reducing assembly time further and elevating any need for cranes
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Integrated pumping systems, avoids equipment hire costs
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Inbuilt control system and splicing software
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The system’s ability to print so precisely allows for reduction in waste and emissions even through the use of a concrete based mortars, an example project proves this point. De Verganderfabriek , located in Teuge the Netherlands is one such project, the 100ms pavilion styled building took 10 days to complete during which the carbon production from the site was 40% lower than standard along with a 70% reduction in material wasted
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Rapid construction time is due to the 200/600 mm/s print speed
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Out of all its competitors the print size is comparatively small at 3200mm radius, however due to the inbuilt crawler track system, the RC 3DP has a practically unlimited printing radius
The cost of the RC 3DP systems at this current point in time is still sizeable at £160,000, However this is the second cheapest option out of its competitors with only one undercutting it at £29,204, however through point.
Factoring in cost reductions over the 6 years prior to the launching of Adapt Studios, the system should be in sale for approximately £81,664 following a £78,336 or 48.96% cost reduction. This 8.16% cost reduction per anum is justified by in earlier mentioned research.
Metal based 3D printer:
This method (BJ – Binder jet) will be utilised to print necessary primary structure additions and fixtures. This method with utilise metallic powders and binding agents to form 3d objects from digital models. Due to the complexity of the process it’s a relatively new method in the market and there for there are very few production ready models. This method offers dramatic improvements over current methods of metal fabrication, especially in terms of production lead time. Unlike the FDM analysis this process is so new that only a very few products are commercially available and companies have competitive strong hold over the market, this means a comparison would not be effective.
The system selected for the role of metal printing is the HP Metal Jet, this system is a Binder jet configuration. It was selected out of its few competitors due to the clear benefits it offers interims of production rate and lowered print costs which offer reduced overall costs for the company. Additional supporting factors can be found bellow:
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430mm x 320mm x 200mm max printing size in 50-100 micron layers
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1200 x 1200 dpi print quality
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Printing process requires no rebinding meaning the production period is reduced are the printing process leaves no residue to be removed
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Excess material can be reused without compromising quality, limiting overall material costs
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Prints high quality stainless steal capable of polishing
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Established brand and supporting platform ensures high quality product with extensive product support
The current cost of the HP Metal Jet system is a substantial £303,986 when exchanged from dollars ( rates on 5/12/19 – 17:30) there are no accurate figures to compare too but most estimates states prices in the same region.
To predict the cost of the system in 2026 the same figures used to calculate the Fdm printer will be used, a 8.16% annual reduction. Over the six year period there is a 48.96% reduction meaning the system will be for sale at approximately £155,154,45. This figure may be slightly higher due to the infancy of the technology. However this figure will be carried forwards.