B7: Group B - Schroeder

Based off of the course description, “An overview of the present and future role of Information Technology in the construction industry with emphasis on the computer tools used throughout the building life cycle by all stakeholders, primarily Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the role of networked-linked sensors and actuators” this class was not what I originally expected. I thought that AE 510 would only cover buildings that have integrated technologies such as autonomous lighting or the various sensors needed for IT.  Looking back, it is refreshing to see the variety of material covered that extends the broad range of IB in eight short weeks. The first half of AE510 was much more relevant to my intended profession, but I did appreciate learning about other aspects in related fields. Specifically, after learning about databases I now have a new respect for people in the field of Big Data and the reach of their profession. In addition, I was able to relate and leverage our discussions on AI/Robots in my Honors Class this term about how MIT is building robots that are able to mimic the human physiology of proprioception.

Like others in the class, one of my favorite parts of AE 510 were the guest lecturers. Although I don’t intend to become a BIM Manager or anything specifically in the building industry,  it was pleasant to hear from professionals in their field and what they are passionate about. Furthermore, it speaks measures about Dr.Mitchell to be able to get past students to take time out of their busy schedules to return to their roots to present at Drexel.

Of all the topics covered in class, the network section of last week's class was one of my favorites. Learning about the development of IPv6 which lacks backwards compatibility with the original internet communications protocol (IPv4) was interesting to me as I know the same frustration in terms of gaming consoles. I held out on buying a PlayStation 3 for so long because of the lack of backwards compatibility for most PS2 games. I can't imagine how providers dealt with IPv6 lacking the backwards compatibility of IPv4 as some devices were not able to be upgraded to IPv6.  Without this bridge between the two, it was not an easy transition for communications.

As a future transportation engineer that focuses on bridge rehabilitation and design, I will most likely not use Revit in my future profession but this class has exposed me to plenty of other topics that I will be using in my future career. In addition, I really enjoyed the topic of my group’s final project. As this is going to be our Senior Design project next year, I liked being able to see the current technologies in autonomous housing to based our initial design on.

Overall, as one of my only AE classes I’ve taken during my collegiate career, it has definitely been a worthwhile experience.

EDIT:
Comments
1. http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/03/course-reflection-yuyang-shi.html
2. http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/02/course-reflection-farnelli.html

B4- Kuzniarowicz Group E

For our final project, my group will be analyzing the applications of 3-D printing technologies in the construction field today in order to write a research paper for the final project. Over recent years, the technologies of 3-D printing have been a new and booming topic in the engineering and research fields. There have not only been advancements in availability and affordability of 3-D printing for the general public, but also the applications in which it can be used. There are a number of different 3-D Printing technologies that are currently being tested and applied to construction projects, such as the United Arab Emirates Innovation Committee’s plan to 3-D print an entire office building. In addition to fully 3-D printed construction projects, the technology is also being utilized in the creation of innovative and sustainable building materials such as concrete, plastic-based, wood-based, and alloy-based bulk materials.  Although the technology is still up and coming, breakthroughs in 3-D printing are continuously occurring. One of these breakthroughs includes the utilization of 3-D printers to create structures for a manned Mars space mission.

The breakthrough technology of 3-D printing has already made, and will continue to make, significant economic and social impacts in the world today. In the field of construction, the use of 3-D printing technologies could significantly decrease the cost associated with materials as well as simplify the overall construction process to make it more efficient.

A general outline for our final project on 3-D building technologies is as follows:

v  Abstract

Ø   An overall summary of the research, discoveries, and conclusions made about 3-D printing

v  Introduction

Ø  History of 3-D Printing

Ø  Background information about 3-D printing in Construction

Ø  Examples of 3-D printing applications

v  Topic 1: 3-D Printing and Building Materials

Ø  Fully 3-D Printed Materials

§  Concrete

Ø  Using Additives in 3-D Printing

§  Wood-based Bulk Materials

§  Plastic-based materials

§  Alloys

§  Other (moon rocks)

v  Topic 2: 3-D printing in Construction

Ø  Printing Methods

Ø  Structural Components

v  Topic 3: Entirely 3-D Printed Structures

Ø  WinSun China Builds 1^st 3-D Printed Villa and Apartment Building

Ø  UAEIC 3-D Printing Office Building

v  Future of 3-D Printing

Ø  Additional Construction Applications

Ø  Growth of Scale of Printing

v  Conclusions

v  References

1)    Win Sun 3-D Printed Villa/Apartment Building

http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150118-winsun-builds-world-first-3d-printed-villa-and-tallest-3d-printed-building-in-china.html

2) UAEIC 3-D Printed Office Building:

http://search.proquest.com/docview/1698870470?pq-origsite=summon&accountid=10559

3&4) Printing with Regolith (or other moon rocks)

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20140002630.pdf

http://www.esa.int/Highlights/Lunar_3D_printing

5) 3-D Printing and Rapid Casting (Concrete and Alloys)

http://search.proquest.com/docview/214028287?pq-origsite=summon

6) 4-D Printing of the Future (Future)

http://search.proquest.com/docview/1650538777?pq-origsite=summon

7) 3-D Printing and its applications (Introduction)

http://search.proquest.com/docview/1432214803?pq-origsite=summon

8) Comparing Environmental impacts of 3-D Printing vs. Traditional Machining

http://search.proquest.com/docview/1648113434?pq-origsite=summon

Comments:

Cathlene Farnelli – 3-D Printed Concrete Properties

Cathlene,

You have stated a number of very good considerations on the topic of 3-D printing of concrete but there are many more thanks that you should consider. I would look into some of the fully 3-D printed buildings that are already in existence (WinSun China, and the UAE Innovation committee’s plan to fully print a building) and consider how they use concrete in their design. I would also look into using concrete material as an additive in 3-D printing. My group is also considering 3-D printing applications so I feel that we could help each other out with sources and information. I have attached sources in my post so feel free to take a look.

Kate Flint – Daylighting Technologies in Intelligent Buildings

Kate,

Like you, I also really enjoyed AE 340 (I hope you had Hartnichek) and I feel that this is a very important topic in building design today. I am currently in the AEI senior design competition and daylighting is one of the major considerations we must account for in the design for our 17-story office building. Daylighting is important in every building from hospitals to schools. This topic is very challenging because you do not only have to consider the building automation aspect of the design but also the economic impact of a satisfactory daylighting design. I would do significant research on how daylighting technologies can reduce of and increase the efficiency of a building. The idea for your topic is very general and there is a lot of information that could be included in your final report depending on which route you take. Good Luck!

Group B: Question 2

BIM Improve Buildings vs. It will make no difference or degrade them

Possible degradation?

If people begin to rely on programs, such as Revit, for structural design or analysis without completing the necessary thought and hand calculations supporting the model. The resulting building could degrade or not have the structural strength necessary to withstand day-to-day use.

No Improvement?

The modeling process will be streamlined; however, it may not add any features to the building itself.

Improvement?

BIM could potentially improve the building if it is connected with 3D printing, thus more complex shapes could be created. Furthermore, BIM software could be used for energy analysis and the design improved.

B1 - Group B - Yasmina Shields

Building information modeling (BIM) technology in the construction industry offers a number of benefits to facilitate the design and construction process. Some of its applications include 3D renderings, incorporating fabrication and shop drawings into the model, code reviews, cost estimating, construction sequencing, forensic analysis, and facilities management (yielding the BIM model still useful after construction is complete). Also by simulating a virtual model of a building, BIM software can also be used to run a clash analysis between mechanical and structural systems—which helps to avoid construction issues, in turn reducing unforeseen costs (savings of about 10% of the contract value have been made through clash detections, according to Azhar’s “Building Information Modeling (BIM): Trends, Benefits, Risks, and Challenges for the AEC Industry”).

In high school I was told that BIM was the technology of the future, next “big thing,” while interning at an architecture firm. Five years later while on co-op for a general contractor, I found that most of my coworkers had not even heard of it; a few were talking of incorporating it in future projects, but it did not seem to be gaining much ground. The technology is readily available, yet there still exists managerial and technical concerns. The main challenges that are hindering widespread use of BIM is that no standardized process nor defined guidelines for BIM use exists, and ways to reduce the learning curve of BIM trainees need to be considered.

As a fundamental building material in construction and the most used substance on earth (other than water), concrete is a large emitter of CO2, with about a ton of CO2 being released for every ton of cement produced. Dr. Behrokh Khoshnevis of USC has developed Contour Crafting system, which works like a conventional 3-D printer—building up layer by layer—but instead uses a fast-drying concrete mix. The concrete material is precisely extruded with near-zero waste, needing less concrete and reducing its negative environmental impact. This is similar to the 3-D printed buildings that companies such as WinSun are developing, as mentioned in blog posts by Danielle Schroeder and others. Contour Crafting is also an automated process, making construction less labor intensive and safer. Another added benefit is that complex formwork is no longer needed using this technology in order to make non-rectilinear walls.

Source: http://www.sculpteo.com/blog/2015/10/07/3d-printing-construction/

I have a particular interest in sustainable structures, and thought it worth mentioning Team Orange County’s entry in last year’s Solar Decathlon in this post. Their net-zero-energy, under 1,000 square feet house is mechanically managed by a radiant heating and cooling system along with a rooftop solar panel capture system, and collects storm water for garden use. They also included in their entry a personal 3-D printer and thermoplastic recycling system that allows the user to break down printed objects that are no longer needed around the house, and reuse the material to produce new household tools or parts for home repairs.

• Azhar, S. (2011). "Building Information Modeling (BIM): Trends, Benefits, Risks, and Challenges for the AEC Industry." Leadership Manage. Eng., 10.1061/(ASCE)LM.1943-5630.0000127, 241-252.
•  Khoshnevis, Berok (2014). “Contour Crafting: The Upcoming Revolution in Construction.” Lecture. Autodesk Building Solutions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3JdXPjQTMs
•  http://www.solardecathlon.gov/2015/competition-team-orange-county.html

Comments to other students:

Cristian Almendariz

William Whitesell

B1: The Future in BIM, 3D Printing, and Structures

BIM/Future

An article in 2014 on McGraw Hill’s website (link provided below) discusses the benefits of BIM and where it can go in the future. Contractors that McGraw Hill surveyed replied that BIM is an extraordinarily helpful tool and its benefits are further increased when collaboration is involved. Specifically concerning a return on investment (ROI) on a project, when contractors use BIM, ROI increases. ROI further increases when contractors have BIM collaboration, which means several BIM programs specializing in different areas of the project communicating with one another and being compatible with one another. What the future holds for BIM is simple according to these surveyed contractors. BIM excels at making a detailed and reliable model from the office environment but is more difficult to take that model into the field. Therefore, tablet and cloud integration into BIM programs would drastically improve the mobility of BIM and further increase its usefulness.

http://www.aconex.com/blogs/2014/01/global-state-of-bim-construction-market-data.html

3D Printing/Structures/Future

An article on CNET describes how 3D printing can be used for construction purposes to build a bridge over a small canal using steel materials. This 3D printer is able to create full scale objects out of metal that has the same properties of normally manufactured metals. The exact procedure of construction of the bridge would involve the use of two 3D printers working in tandem on opposite sides of the bridge. This would require constant communication between the two printers in order for them to be aware of the other printer’s location at all times. The benefit to using two printers simultaneously would be to cut down on time and to reduce the stresses on the bridge during construction. This plan represents what the future holds for 3D printing in terms of construction. Using high-tech and advanced printers to communicate with one another while producing manufacture grade materials.

http://www.cnet.com/news/gravity-defying-3d-printer-to-print-bridge-over-water-in-amsterdam/

**Edits**

Comment on Danielle Schroeder's blog: http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/01/b1-group-b-schroeder.html?showComment=1452567176311#c7833413725249195921


Comment on Cathlene Farnelli's blog: http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/01/b1-group-b-cathlene-farnelli.html#comment-form

B1: Group B: Cathlene Farnelli

The first article I read (for the BIM tag) was “The Plan to Build a Skyscraper That Doesn’t Cast a Shadow,” accessible here. In this article, a pair of buildings designed to be constructed in Greenwich, England were described. These buildings were modeled in Rhinoceros in order to make it possible for there to be no complete shadow between them at any time. The curved inward surfaces of their facades mirror the light downward to the space between them, diffusing the light as well. What struck me most about this design was the complexity of ensuring that the glass panels will be in the correct orientation to mirror the light. Also the article mentioned that the computer program was able to form this shape (after quite a few structurally impractical designs) based on the parameters required by the architects.

The second article I read (for the 3D Printing tag) was titled “MIT's newest 3D printer spouts 10 materials at a time.” This article discusses the shortcomings of current 3D printer technology, which currently can print at most three materials (and these models are very costly). MIT’s MultiFab is able to print ten materials by mixing different polymer components inside the machine before printing them, rather than through simple extrusion. The printer also has an impressive 3D scanner which allows the user to print around objects to be embedded in the new material. For example, in the video we can see that the printer is able to scan an LED light and print a lens over it. While this technology might not have any direct impacts on intelligent building, being able to print multiple building materials, such as both concrete and steel, would be a very big breakthrough. However, this particular printer would not get us any closer, though the idea could possibly be used to try to form different mix designs of concrete during printing.

My third article (for the structure tag) was “Gravity-defying 3D printer to print bridge over water in Amsterdam.” In this article discusses a 3D printer which is able to print steel by “welding” on layers. Those running the project believe that two printers running from either side of a canal in order to form a cantilevered arch bridge after meeting in the middle. The printers could operate autonomously and build the bridge without human interaction. This application of 3D printing to form a structure is obviously more applicable for our purposes. It goes quite a bit further than the rope bridges which we saw in class (though this is a small-scale pedestrian bridge, not one intended for traffic use). The final bridge design has not been determined, though a video after the article shows the sculpture they were able to create and images show some possible ideas.

My final article (for the future tag) was titled “What Jobs Will the Robots Take?” Here Derek Thompson discusses the recent statistic that about half of the jobs in America today could be automated in 20 years or less. The article lists the most “at-risk” jobs, such as telemarketers and tax preparers, as well as the least replaceable, such as surgeons and fire fighters. However, these “safe” tasks, which require more complex algorithms and interaction with others, could very well be automated in the future. Engineers are on the safer side of the spectrum, as they need to be able to diagnose problems, which would be difficult to automate. This reminded me of the first article, as the computer program was able to form a shape that didn’t cast a shadow but was not necessarily able to tell that the design was illogical.

**Edit: comments posted on Alex Palma and Dianna Vogel's posts.

B1: Group B - Alex Palma

     For the Week 1 discussion post, I researched articles about BIM, 3D printing, structures, and how they relate to the future. I’ve included 3 articles here, and how I believe the technologies discussed in each could (or could not) be used more in the future.

     The first article I found is entitled, “Designer Frank Kolkman hacks 3D printer components to build DIY surgical robot”. This article talks about implementing “hacked”, as Kolkman names it, technology from a 3D printer along with other parts to create a device capable of performing keyhole surgery. This is not something Kolkman attempts; however, he suggests it has the functionality. The device cost approximately $5000 dollars to create, and in order to put this in perspective, Kolkman states that a typical appendectomy (which is a type of keyhole surgery) is around $10000. The idea of using 3D printing technology to create a new form of accessible health care is not one I’ve heard of before, but is certainly interesting. I can’t imagine seeing a semi-autonomous or remote controlled device being the start of an at-home health care revolution; although the article is written suggesting at-home uses, the lack of a professional in a surgical environment is likely not one that will be popular. The device operates on one’s own body; the risk is high, and unlike other do-it-yourself projects, almost all people would be inclined to let a professional handle it, even if cost is a factor. That being said, I can’t understate the ability of 3D printing technology, having worked with it before. A 3D printer’s ability to quickly and easily manufacture parts or pieces in complex shapes is useful in many applications; here, the technology in devices such as this may certainly be seen in conjunction with current health care practices and technology in the future.

     Next, I took a look into BIM discussions on Evernote, and came across a bit of a rant. A blog entitled “BIM WIP: Why AECOsim?” discussed the “introduction” of AECOsim as a BIM software. However, I was more interested in the history of BIM software that was provided. AECOsim is a Bentley product, which is the same company who created Microstations, competitor of AutoCAD. However, AECOsim was functional back in 1986, named “Brickworks” at the time. BIM may be “emerging”, but it is certainly not a new technology. AECOsim is designed using Microstations, and incorporates needs for architecture, engineering, construction, and owner/operators. I feel this is the most important factor; the strength of BIM is the ability to coordinate information about the building itself, not just the drawing, to aid in design. As such, programs such as AECOsim, which not only include structural information, but intelligence about owner’s concerns or architectural details, are extremely powerful. With the amount of collaboration between disciplines, I believe that in the future, many software packages will begin to move toward integrating as many aspects of the creation and operation of a building as possible.

     Finally, I looked at an article about the concept of 3D printing buildings, entitled “Buildings Made with a Printer”. The short piece discusses how using 3D printing capabilities to develop complex structures is actually a feasible option, as printing capabilities advance in order to use newer materials. Written almost 5 years ago, advanced 3D printers at the time were just being able to use some metals. Now, it is likely that more progress has been made. Oxman, the architect and professor discussed in the article, mentions how due to the freedom of a 3D printer, complex structures can be created with much more ease. This technology would allow for the inexpensive creation of the shapes and designs that are most suitable to handle a particular load. Because of the printer’s ability to adjust its’ location and output, it can easily strengthen areas by adding material, while saving materials in areas with low stress concentrations. I feel the issue in going forward with this technology in the future is scale; smaller designs, or even small structures may be available for this technology, but large scale industrial use seems costly and most likely very slow and cumbersome. That being said, if used for smaller applications, 3D printing of structural components could lead to extremely complex and efficient designs.

Works Cited

http://www.dezeen.com/2015/08/10/movie-frank-kolkman-hacks-3d-printer-diy-surgical-robot-open-surgery/

http://bimwip.blogspot.com/2014/06/why-aecosim.html

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/423565/buildings-made-with-a-printer/?a=f

B1: Group B - Schroeder

BIM:

I personally know very little about BIM and its uses, so I chose to stick with a basic application rather than a current project in the field. BIM, or Building Information Modeling, is an intelligent model-based process that allows the user to design, plan, and construct infrastructure. For example, in the field of transportation BIM was used to develop early design plans for a transportation route that includes constructing a new bridge using infrastructure workflows. Without BIM, it would have made the project much more costly to develop multiple alternatives. There are a plethora of uses of BIM and I am excited to learn more as this class progresses.  

3D Printing:

In June 2015, a leading company in the field of 3D printing, WinSun Global, announced that they are planning to 3D print an entire office building in the heart of Dubai. The 2,000 square foot building, interior walls, and furniture will be printed on a 20-foot tall 3D printer which will be assembled on the build site. To fabricate the various intricacies of the structure, three main materials will be used: Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (GRG), Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP), and Special Reinforced Concrete (SRC). This differs from their other previous 3D printed apartment in China, as they will printing everything on-site rather than print single walls and shipping them to the build site. Through the use of 3D printing, it is expected to reduce labor costs by 50-80% and construction waste by 30-60%.

Structures:

PaperBridge is exactly what the name suggest: it is entirely constructed out of 22,000 sheets of paper without the use of glue or any other fixings in the Lake District area in England. This is a temporary piece of work created by artist Steve Messam which was open to the public until mid-May of last year. The overall design relies of the architectural principles most commonly used in dry-stone walls. The 4.5 tons of paper is sturdy enough to support the weight of any brave walkers and their four-legged companions across the 5 meters long bridge. Once the bridge is closed and dismantled, the paper will be pulped and recycled. Please see the third link listed below for all of the wonderful pictures of this structure.

Future/Summary:

The basics of BIM and the two structural examples above are just scratching the surface on the capabilities of technological innovation in our world. As a global community, we are constantly learning the opportunities that 3D printing and other technologies can do to make our work more efficient and less costly.

**EDIT: Comments for Group B posted on Cathlene's  and Bryan's individual posts.

Works Referenced: 

• http://www.autodesk.com/solutions/building-information-modeling/infrastructure
• http://3dprint.com/77550/dubai-3d-printed-office/
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3075622/But-walk-Lake-District-bridge-no-glue-bolts-fixings-22-000-sheets-PAPER.html

B1, Group B - Bryan Cummings

Building construction technologies are currently slow, labor-intensive, and expensive compared to other manufacturing fields.  3D printing technologies have made great advances in recent years in printing small objects, prosthetics, and even machine parts.  These items can be made much faster, at a lower cost, and with a higher degree of customizability compared to traditional manufacturing methods.  Currently, technologies are emerging to be able to print habitable buildings and other large municipal structures.  This should provide the construction industry with the same benefits as 3D printing has brought other manufacturing fields, reducing the need and cost of labor, speeding up construction time, and allowing architects to feasibly design more complex forms.

Structural 3D printing is still in its infancy.  Traditional printing methods have involved layering a plastic resin to construct the object, which won’t do for usable structures.  A company in China, WinSun, has pioneered printing homes and apartments from concrete.  The system operates on the same premise as conventional 3D printing.  Layers of wet concrete are laid on top of the previous.  The concrete properties must be very well controlled for the printing to form properly.  This company printed 10 small single-story homes, for a cost of approximately $5000 each.  The printing machine was 10m x 6.6m [1].  A research team at Berkeley has also been investigating 3D printed cement structures, but from a different angle.  Their technology prints the forms from a dry cement powder, each layer upon which water is sprayed to harden the structure.  This yields the ability to produce very precise forms, as seen by their recently printed pavilion named Bloom.  Another benefit of this method, compared to layering wet cement, aside from form, is that the structures can be lighter and the construction process produces less weight. [2]

In addition to printing concrete and cement, metal printing technologies are also being researched for structures.  The company MX3D is on their way 3D printing a steel bridge on-site across a canal in Amsterdam.  Their technology, instead of using a stand-alone printers as the previous parties mentioned do, utilizes printing machines that attach to the structure they are printing, and can move along it as more progress is made—analogous to how, in contemporary high-rise construction, internal climbing cranes hoist themselves up on the building’s existing structure.  This technology makes printing much more versatile as it can be done outside of a controlled environment, the final product is less size-limited, and can be built directly to fit into its final location, opposed to cookie-cutter type designs as WinSun created.  Their metallic printing is done by applying weld piece by piece directly to the existing structure to extend the members.  This video showcases the intended design as well as the construction and completion of a physical prototype, which illustrates well how this technology prints a metal structure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZNTzkAR1Ho). [3]

BIM is an essential component to any 3D printing technology.  The printer is fed information from a software with information on scale, shape, color, and other properties of the final product.  This can’t be done with simple CAD programs which are only drawings and not models.  As the 3D printing advances to construct more complex and complete structures, or whole buildings (which is a system of countless other systems), rather than printing homogeneous objects as is traditionally done today, the role of BIM will play an even more crucial part in the realization of 3D printing structures.  

Farther in the future, a possible application of 3D printing structures beyond being a means to increase the efficiency of the construction industry could be construction in inhospitable environments—one of which being construction in orbit or on the moon.  Foster + Partners and the ESA (European Space Agency) are conducting a feasibility study into constructing a lunar base on the moon via 3D printing.  This technology would mix lunar material with what they call “binding salt” to produce the main structural material—probably similar to cement.  Constructing this out of local material already on the moon would dramatically reduce the construction cost of such a structure.  The main structural element would be the intrinsically structurally efficient catenary arch, which a pneumatic structure to shield the occupants from radiation and micrometeors. [4]

[1]       http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-27156775

[2]       http://www.gizmag.com/berkeley-researchers-pioneer-powder-based-concrete-3d-printing/36515/

[3]       http://www.fastcodesign.com/3047350/this-robot-can-3-d-print-a-steel-bridge-in-mid-air

[4] http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Engineering_Technology/Building_a_lunar_base_with_3D_printing


Comments:

Comment to Dianna Vogel:  We came to similar conclusions about most topics here.  It was interesting reading about the house in Amsterdam milled out of plywood.   Also, so often reduced cost is discussed with relation to 3D printing, but I like how you mentioned a reduced environmental impact as well.  I’d be really interested in doing a life cycle assessment on 3D printed construction compared to conventional construction.  Transportation of materials would probably have a lower ecological footprint as they would be in a more compact form compared to how finished steel beams are often transported one or few beam(s) per truck.  Printing’s ability to create stronger structures with less material will also contribute to a reduced impact.  I’m interested, though, about the plywood house in Amsterdam, since that is milled, not printed, what happens to the plywood that gets cut and not used?  Can it be reused or recycled?

Comment to Danielle Schroeder:  I looked into the PaperBridge topic you discussed—very interesting and gorgeous!  I know it is intended for art and not much else, but it still raises the question of what, if any, applicability might this have on the built environment?  My first thought was how durable is it to weathering?  Obviously it has withstood rain events, but is the structural integrity decreased each time?  How long would it last if it wasn’t scheduled to be taken down?  I also can’t imagine it’s a very efficient means of creating a bridge.  It’s extremely material-dense for such a small structure, so my first concern is a worse than necessary ecological footprint.  Still, it was great that they thought to use ink that won’t run and subsequently pollute the stream the bridge crosses.