Jeroen Tapper has many years of experience as an architectural visualizer, but he still finds that every project brings new challenges and unexpected inspiration for his firm, Tapperworks. In his latest work translating an architectural scale model into a 3D print village, Tapper states that his firm took on new skills almost every step of the way in designing 5 different towers featuring 94 apartments, creating intricate balconies separately, and experimenting with a range of advanced 3D printing materials and technology through Shapeways.
3D Printing Streamlines Architectural Work
Digital design offers a host of tools for architectural visualizers like Tapper. Typically, they are tasked with presenting structures uniquely and with more complexity, from the digital realm. For a 3D printed architectural model like The Village, additive manufacturing technology allowed Tapperworks to simplify and streamline rendering. In working with Shapeways, they also had the benefit of accessibility to a wide range of advanced 3D printing materials, and full color.
Other benefits for 3D printing the architectural model included:
- Speed in production.
- Accuracy in all parts for the scale model.
- Realistic perspective and precise measurements.
- Efficiency during project development, the opportunity to prototype, and a feedback loop for quick changes.
Tapper has been ordering 3D prints from Shapeways since 2016, but really began taking his visualizations to the next level a few years ago after collaborating with other industry peers in designing and manufacturing numerous projects for an expanded portfolio.
“You get better by sharing your work and inspiring others,” said Tapper.
The 3D Printed Village Was Tremendously Challenging–and Successful
The goal with The Village was to create a 3D printed architectural model for the client’s office, large enough for viewers to walk all the way around, taking in every detail from the rooftops to the grass below. Tapper completed the project through Shapeways, 3D printing in full color and with a scale of 1:100.
“Even with my previous experience in 3D printing, this project turned out to be challenging–especially in terms of preparing and optimizing the towers,” said Tapper. “Sometimes it seemed like it might even be un-doable. With great help from Shapeways, I was able to realize a monumental 3D printing project, as well as contemplating and completing other related tasks like gluing extraneous parts together in post-processing.”
“It’s great when an architectural project comes together like this,” said Tapper.
About Shapeways
Enjoy the benefits of this advanced technology and a wide range of materials from Shapeways for 3D printing your creations with accuracy, complex detail, and no minimum or limits in terms of mass customization or single part orders. Shapeways has worked with over 1 million customers in 160 countries to 3D print over 21 million parts! Read about case studies, find out more about Shapeways additive manufacturing solutions, and get instant quotes here.