The Interaction of Material, Process and Form in Additive Manufactured Construction

Lecture: The Interaction of Material, Process and Form in Additive Manufactured Construction

Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, is revolutionizing construction by reshaping design, material use, and production processes. Fully realizing its potential in the built environment requires integrating expertise in manufacturing technology, materials science, and architectural and structural design. This highly interdisciplinary approach not only drives innovation but also redefines collaboration and job roles. This lecture explores the core principles of additive manufacturing in construction (AMC): material processing, control of manufacturing processes, and form design, emphasizing their dynamic interconnections. It showcases large-scale prototypes in concrete, steel, and earthen materials, highlighting the interdependencies among material, process, and form alongside relevant research findings. By examining AMC’s capabilities and challenges, the lecture seeks to inspire future-oriented, sustainable construction while advancing interdisciplinary collaboration in architectural and structural design. Through practical and theoretical insights, it underscores AMC’s transformative role in shaping the next generation of architecture.

Introduction and Moderation

Christian Pongratz

Professor of Architecture at New York Institute of Technology, Director M.S. Health and Design [M.S.AHD], AIA

View Bio

Speaker

Harald Kloft, Ph.D.

Head of Institute of Structural Design at Technische Universität Braunschweig

Harald Kloft has been a professor of structural design at TU Braunschweig since 2011. He previously taught at the architecture faculties of TU Kaiserslautern and TU Graz and was a visiting professor at Städelschule Frankfurt in the architectural classes of Peter Cook and Ben van Berkel.

As a structural engineer, he has extensive experience in research, teaching, and practice at the intersection of architecture. He co-founded the engineering firm osd – office for structural design and played a key role in pioneering freeform architecture, including the Kunsthaus Graz and the BMW Bubble.

Harald Kloft’s interdisciplinary research at the Institute for Structural Design (ITE) is widely published and focuses on innovative digital manufacturing technologies, such as Shotcrete-3D-Printing, Add-WAAM, and Robotic-Rammed-Earth, as well as their interaction with material and form. Since 2020, he has led the DFG Collaborative Research Center TRR 277 Additive Manufacturing in Construction, established at the Universities of Braunschweig and Munich.

Request AIA Credit