An overview of transparent and translucent 3D-printed façade prototypes and technologies

Abstract

3D-printing has transformed traditional manufacturing by enabling the fabrication of individually designed complex systems. The building’s façade is one of the most challenging systems because it affects the control of the built indoor environment and allows to provide energy-saving. The objective of this research is to distinguish 3Dprinting technologies and applied materials in them that improve transparency in the façade to decrease artificial lighting consumption, to control solar energy, and to improve energy-savings. A literature study was performed, firstly, different 3Dprinting techniques and their materials for producing transparent outcomes were reviewed from academic databases. Then, transparent 3D-printed façade prototypes were identified. The outcomes indicated that most of the prototypes used the FDM 3D-printing technique and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol as a material. These prototypes didn’t consider the disadvantages of the FDM technique for the lighting transmission. Additionally, some prototypes have control over daylighting discomforts but some of them not. Prototypes tried to improve energy-saving which ranged from applying recyclable materials to controlling solar gain.