A 3D-Printed Off-The-Grid Shack
- Words
- Jessica Jungbauer
In collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, award-winning architecture firm SOM created a 3D-printed shack, complete with a 3D-printed vehicle, which together serve as a prototype for off-the-grid living with the aim of zero energy waste.
“The project illustrates the potential of a clean energy future for a rapidly urbanizing world.” Titled ‘AMIE 1.0’, – standing for “Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy” – the collaboration saw the architects design the 3D-printed building, while Oak Ridge National Laboratory contributed to the concept for the vehicle. The structure, which consists of insulated C-shaped panels as well as photovoltaic, produces, stores and supplies renewable energy, with the vehicle wirelessly connected to the building’s energy source.
Regarding the future of 3D-printed architecture, the collective states: “The project illustrates the potential of a clean energy future for a rapidly urbanizing world by demonstrating the use of bidirectional wireless energy technology and high performance materials to achieve independence from the power grid at peak-demand times.”
All images © Courtesy of SOM / Oak Ridge National Laboratory
