Friday 2 May 2014

3D Printing the KREOD pavilion

KREOD produced a trade pavilion for the London Olympics and plans to do the same for Brasil 2016. Lee 3D produced a model of KREOD's London pavilion which will initially be exhibited at the new China Design Centre which launched on the 1st May 2014. 

The 3D model of the pavilion was made using tools such as Rhino, Grasshopper and Evolute. This very neat structure naturally lends itself to 3D printing with the finest of margins. In this case the main construction is made up of elements that are 0.7mm in thickness. This allows a good amount of light to pass through the model expressing the geometry and the design intent.

The pavilion is made up of three moveable pods

The pavilion in the closed position

The ZPrinter 650 used to build these parts even picks up the floor detailing with gaps of just 0.125mm. Of course it is not all down to the machine. These parts are very fragile until they hardening resin is applied and require delicate handling and a certain amount of experience to remove powder from the surface of the parts with out breaking the models. Once hardened the parts can be handled with ease. 

The pods connected end to end
Interior view
KREOD's Chun Qing Li was suitably impressed and I think a little bit relieved when he came to pick up the model on the day before the China Design Centre launched. Lee 3D is now looking forward to working with KREOD to produce models of the proposed Brasil pavilion which will first be shown at the Clerkenwell Design Week later this month.

The China Design Centre showcases the unique design vision emerging from a country with a long history and rich culture, and whose dynamic economy is generating a new wave of talent in Architecture, Art and Craft, Furniture, Products and Materials. 

Terry Farrell speaking at the grand opening
of the China Design Centre in London

China Design Centre - chinadesigncentre.com
KREOD - www.kreod.com

For more information about Lee 3D visit www.lee3d.co.uk