Solar view of the Trillium Pavilion at UT Cherokee Farm.
New materials emerge infrequently in the history of architecture. 3D printing is a process of depositing layers of fluid material that hardens into solid form. In this way it is unlike previous construction methods and much more analogous to biological forms created through processes of accretion. Large-scale additive manufacturing [LSAM], like biological formation, creates objects of light weight and high strength through efficient use of material. The Trillium pavilion borrowed the thin, doubly curved surfaces of its namesake flower to create a 15–foot dome weighing less than 1500 pounds. The pavilion was printed with a range of regionally developed bi0-based and recycled polymers.
Trillium is a biologically inspired 3D-printed pavilion designed and built by University of Tennessee architecture students in the fall of 2022. The structure explores the emerging technology of large-scale additive manufacturing in recycled polymer and points to a future where architecture takes inspiration from flowers, shells, bone structure, and insect wings.
Large scale additive manufacturing in polymer was developed a decade ago by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The UT Institute for Smart Structures has been studying this technology as part of its mission to research the architectural application of emerging materials. Throughout that time the Institute has partnered with regional industry on a series of full-scale, student designed and built projects that explore the opportunities and constraints of 3D-printed polymer. Partners have included Local Motors and Loci Robotics and projects have ranged from a screen wall mimicking the fine structure of bone to a reception desk inspired by the geometry of lace veil mushrooms. Each of these projects contributed to developing insight into the applications of LSAM, the use of computer aided design to apply lessons learned from biological precedents, and to building a regional expertise in the expanding industry of 3D printing with recyclable polymer.
