Fabrication of the green core | Graduate studio

Our studio’s focus in the Fall semester was constructing a green core within House 03 in governors island. The studio divided into teams developed five lines of research- fabrication, geothermal, electricity, waste recycling, and the water core.

As part of the fabrication group, my teammate and I started our research by narrowing the materials we would require for fabrication. Our catalog concentrated on Biomaterials and agro-waste. Among the various materials we studied, oyster shell cement was apt as the house is located on an island, and we would get easy access to resources.

Oyster shell cement

After selecting our material, our fabrication method selected was 3D printing. The opening sizes and the construction of the house led us to choose the Kuka KR 2700. We studied the arm length speed of printing and volume of cement dispensed to design and construct our core. We also experimented with the various profiles used for extruding.

Plan of House 03 with the core in place. The core divides the house into public and private spaces.