Episode 9: 3D printing in architecture: Taking design to new levels

In our latest Talking Additive podcast, we chat with Asli Oney, Digital Fabrication Manager at KPF’s New York office. 

KPF is a prominent multinational architectural firm. Since its foundation in 1976, the company has worked on some of the world’s tallest towers and longest structural spans, with a portfolio featuring notable projects such as the Hudson Yards in New York and Roppongi Hills in Tokyo. 

KPF takes pride in its multidisciplinary, iterative design process, which is supported by 3D printing. FFF additive manufacturing enables the firm to create multiple iterations of architectural designs, which can then be used to convey key concepts to clients. 

Asli explains how this low-cost, efficient method of producing scale models allows architects to be more explorative with their designs. Each 3D printed part typically costs a few dollars or less to print, which gives KPF far greater design freedom. 

KPF has also incorporated clusters of 3D printers into its offices around the world, and staff are now able to produce models early in the design process.