Prefabrication by stereolithography of modular habitat systems:
A conceptual design for extreme environments like Antarctica.
3. Abstract
We understand that the adoption of new materials, techniques and construction processes have marked a revolution throughout the history of architecture. Just to mention a few by way of example, we can cite the adoption of the roman arch, the pointed arch, the cast-and-wrought iron frame, the reinforced concrete structure, etc. However, our analysis will be focused on the future, in a whole according to the famous phrase of Richard Buckminster Fuller "the best way to predict the future is to design it". It is our intention with this research thesis, to contribute with an experimental project in accordance with one of the trends that we have identified as potentially disruptive in the coming decades.
By limiting our case study, we found that the design and construction of habitats to be used in the extreme Antarctic environment presents enormous challenges: technical, logistical and human. These challenges range from freezing and extreme temperatures, zero ambient relative humidity, constant winds, abrasion by ice particles, ultraviolet and cosmic radiation, reduced oxygen levels, to the total absence of local building materials. Therefore, the projects carried out there to date have a different degree of industrialization: or with a greater or lesser degree of prefabrication.
As we know, industrialized building systems have a long history dating back to the 19th century, developing on a larger scale with a multiplicity of systems in the past century, and in recent years, the incipient mass manufacturing system has appeared with the promise of revolutionize the construction of high-rise buildings.
The object of study of this work is to achieve a higher degree of prefabrication by using the stereo lithography system (additive manufacturing - 3D printing) in the design and prefabrication of modular habitat systems suitable for immediate use in extreme environments. In accordance with a functional approach, applied sustainability, and a cell module based on minimum living space, our system aims to be a versatile solution for a multiplicity of uses.
The development of ready-to-use 3D printed modular habitat systems is of high potential, since it would imply a great advance in terms of time, quality and constructive safety, and as the derivations (spin-offs) of all high-tech products, applied both to remote cases, such as extreme environments, or to urban architecture, it would bring extraordinary benefit and provide a tool for solving social habitat problems still pending.
The effective application of this technology will mean that in this 21st century, we will simply talk about the development of a printed architecture. [1]
[1] Keywords. Prefabrication - Stereo Lithography - Additive Manufacturing - 3D Printing - Digital Manufacturing - Modular Habitats - Printed Architecture - Extreme Environments.
