Sphère, France’s third 3D-printed building
Harfleur (76) / France
Architect: Archétude
Development: Bouygues Bâtiment Grand Ouest
Lead contractor: Immobilière Basse Seine (3F/Action Logement)
Designed by Archétude, the 29 m² independent pavilion for the caretaker and for receiving tenants of the Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny residence was built in just eight days. Its concrete walls were printed directly on site with the help of a seven-axis robot from Dutch start-up CyBe. This project, made possible thanks to the R&D of Bouygues Construction and its partners (Centrale Lille engineering school via the Construction 4.0 Chair, specialist start-ups), illustrates the progress made in 3D printing techniques and their change in scale for use in the construction industry. This offers a number of possibilities, such as freedom of design, saved time – and in the long term ensuring financial savings and productivity – reducing arduous working conditions and risks of musculoskeletal disorders thanks to the robotisation of certain tasks, optimisation of the materials needed and reduced waste.
« Avec le bâtiment Sphère, « imprimé » au milieu de la résidence, nous voulons préfigurer le bâtiment de demain et montrer l’intérêt de l’alliance du numérique et de la robotique pour faire grandir notre secteur. Architecture de qualité, environnement préservé, pouvoir d’achat maîtrisé, confort amélioré, accueil dans un bâtiment futuriste, nos locataires sont au cœur des ambitions de ce rojet. »
Cédric Lefebvre
Directeur Général d'Immobilière Basse Seine
« Les technologies que nous éprouvons n’ont pas vocation à se substituer totalement aux modes constructifs d’aujourd’hui. Elles les complètent et ouvrent de nouvelles perspectives pour le gros-œuvre. L’impression 3D constitue en particulier un atout formidable pour les gestes architecturaux car elle permet de réaliser simplement, en un minimum de temps, des formes très complexes. »
Bruno Linéatte
Directeur R&D Bouygues Construction en charge des modes constructifs du bâtiment
Further information
29 m²
total floor area
30% less concrete
30% less concrete than with a traditional construction of the same shape, thanks to the printing of very thin surfaces
9
major independent vertical rooms 2.5m long and up to 3.3m high
Additive manufacturing
Additive manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing, is a process that consists of creating physical objects by superimposing different layers onto a three-dimensional digital model. This is the opposite of “subtractive” manufacturing, which is a traditional manufacturing model where the material is removed to achieve the desired shape.
Did you know?
Just five major sectors account for around 60% of use of this technology: aeronautics, space, healthcare, automotive and construction, which is in the initial phase.