Tech meets architecture: 3D printers pave the way for creative innovation among students | 東京大学 イノベーション?ハブ「T-BOX」でUltimaker デジタル?ファブリケーション?ツールを導入

東京大学のSEKISUI HOUSE - KUMA LAB（通称T-BOX）は、積水ハウスの寄付をもとに、テクノロジーを活用した未来の建築を研究し、「未来の住まいのあり方」を探るために設立された施設です。東京大学建築学科の学生たちは、Ultimakerのフラッグシップ製品である3Dプリンター 6製品とソフトウェア 「Ultimakerデジタルファクトリー」（https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-digital-factory）を活用し、ものづくりの技術を向上させ、さらに製造業やデジタルファブリケーションを学ぶなど、さまざまな方面へと活動を拡大しています。

SEKISUI HOUSE – KUMA LAB（T-BOX）のディレクターを務める同大学特任講師の平野利樹氏は次のように述べています。「高い次元の精度と造形スピード、レスポンスの良さを求めるT-BOXにとって、Ultimakerという選択が最高のソリューションとなりました。使用できる材料の選択肢が無制限（https://ultimaker.com/ja/materials）に拡がることで、学生に高分子ポリマーや先進の複合材料を使って実験する機会を与え、現実世界の要求に応えることができます。」

平野氏はさらに続けます。「T-BOXは、3Dプリンティング?システムやUltimaker デジタルファクトリーを駆使し、製品開発やプロトタイプ、建築モデルなどののプリントを行い、自身のビジョンを実際にカタチに変えていくことで、学生一人ひとりの能力を最大限に伸ばしていくことを目標としています。」

T-BOXで特に目を引くのが、先ごろロンドンで開催されたデザインビエンナーレ展に出展されたインスタレーション作品の3Dプリントモデルです。T-BOXでは東京やロンドンを象徴するさまざまなオブジェクトをスキャンし、3Dデータに変換しています。こうした3DモデルをUltimaker 3Dプリンターでプリントしたものをロンドンに送り、展示会用に組み立てて展示されました。

UltimakerのCEOであるJürgen von Hollenは次のように述べています。「東京大学のような最先端の教育機関が3Dプリンターの重要性を認め、学生の創造的なインスピレーションを最大限に引き出して、実際に建築の世界に進んだ際に大きな影響力を発揮できる人材を育成しようとしていることは素晴らしいことです。当社の3Dプリンターやソフトウェア、デジタルファクトリーは、世界中のさまざまな業界やアプリケーションで活用されており、皆さまに幅広いビジネスメリットを提供しています。3Dプリンティングが、柔軟かつ持続可能な価値を実現する革新的なテクノロジーとなるよう、東京大学が率先して推進役になろうとしていることを大いに称賛します。」

また、Brule 社の最高経営責任者（CEO）であるダグラス?クローン（Douglas Krone）氏は次のように述べています。「隈研吾氏とそのチームが理想とする3Dプリンターソリューションを実現するためのお手伝いができ、Bruleとしても非常にうれしく思っています。大きな影響力を持つ彼らは、教育を変革して実際に次世代の建築に大きな変化をもたらすために、大いに貢献してくれると確信しています。」

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?The emergence of 3D printing has reshaped many industries, from manufacturing and construction to automotive and aerospace. What was previously seen as a novelty or niche solution by some has become a maturing technology, shifting from “rapid prototyping” to “additive manufacturing.”

Now, 3D printing is embedded in universities around the world, providing a technology solution for students and faculty members to research innovative architecture and create a new standard for “the future of living”.

Recently, T-BOX of Sekisui House – KUMA Lab at the University of Tokyo chose Ultimaker to meet the research requirements of its department of architecture, enabling students to prepare 3D modeling data of their designs, print prototypes, and use them for meetings as a design exercise. T-BOX opened for use in October 2021.

We spoke with Toshiki Hirano, Director and Project Assistant Professor at Sekisui House – Kuma Lab, to find out how students are leveraging 3D printing to support their day-to-day university life and how Ultimaker was instrumental in helping them achieve their endeavours.

T-BOX: How it all started

The T-BOX project was established in June 2020 by the architect Kengo Kuma as a workshop with various machines for digital fabrication, mainly for the purpose of studying the relationship between digital technology and architecture.

“T-BOX means many different things to us”, Hirano says about the project name. “’T’ refers to Tokyo from The University of Tokyo, technology, and toolbox. Since then we have looked at T-BOX as a ‘tool box’ with various digital fabrication equipment.”

A facility that breeds creative talents

The University of Tokyo is researching the future of architecture using technology, while Sekisui House – which provided a donation to start the project – is exploring the "the future of living”. The main purpose of the collaboration is that these mutual and complementary capabilities will help in the development of future talent at T-BOX.

In the past, the department of architecture did not have a production facility with digital fabrication tools. Students had no choice but to purchase their own 3D printers or make their models by hand, which is the conventional method. Now with T-BOX, architecture students can easily create their prototype and use them for presentation purposes.?

“I believe that this facility will help students to improve their craft and explore other avenues for growth, such as learning about manufacturing or digital fabrication,” says Hirano. “The fact is, T-BOX is not only exclusive to architecture students. Anyone can visit the facility and use our Ultimaker 3D printers. Everyone is welcome. T-BOX will operate as a facility that breeds creative talents so they are better equipped for the future.”

Inside T-BOX: A closer look

Currently, T-BOX has six Ultimaker 3D printers. Since there is no other facility on the campus that has multiple 3D printers in one lab, Hirano believes that this will be a crucial facility for designers.

On why they chose Ultimaker, Hirano comments: “With digital fabrication growing in popularity, I visited similar facilities overseas. I went to the American University of Architecture and saw that they were using Ultimaker 3D printers. Most students are familiar with the quality of products Ultimaker produces and they often say it’s easy to use.”

“Ultimaker is a good choice because it can handle various filaments, as well as excellent printing accuracy, speed, and high responsiveness. You can start printing your concepts as soon as you enter the data. This allows you to create your work intuitively even without prior technical knowledge. In addition, when advanced adjustments are necessary, you can easily manipulate the parameters to meet your requirements,” he adds.

When we ask him about the adoption of 3D printing in architecture over the last ten years, Hirano admits: “To be honest, I wouldn’t use a 3D printer unless there is a need for me to use one. As we become more digitalized than ever, 3D printers like the ones Ultimaker built have grown in importance in many industries across the globe. Definitely, 3D printing has become a part of the design cycle for architects and students.”

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?Toshiki Hirano displays one of his 3D printed architectural models

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Unbound by restrictions

Currently, the T-BOX lab is using white PLA material, but Hirano and his students are already looking into the possibilities opened up by the wide range of both Ultimaker and third-party filaments they can now leverage. “In the case of ABS material, we are thinking of using various materials to print joints of a building structure in one-third size and actually use it.?Essentially, we want to challenge ourselves by using a variety of materials for many different purposes,” Hirano says.

?Of course, model-making has always been part of the architect’s process. Students used to make models by hand using styrene boards, for example.?But then, you are limited to simple shapes.?“Our aim is to break free from conventional norms that limit ideas,” Hirano says. “We want to innovate designs by using 3D printers, having the freedom to translate ideas into actual products. We don’t want to be bound by the complexity of shapes.”

?“A 3D printer is not just a tool for making models; it is also a tool that allows you to think freely about architecture and design.”

Digital fabrication facilities

In addition to 3D printers, the digital fabrication equipment found at T-BOX includes laser cutters and CNC processing machines as it aims to combine all resources, technologies and methods to create something meaningful.

Hirano reports that many digital fabrication facilities have a hard time educating students on how to use the equipment. “At T-BOX, we want students to use it freely and voluntarily as much as possible. We have set minimum safety and usage guidelines, but we want them to be able to use the machine without relying on our staff. We want students to explore the capabilities, but we’ll be here to answer any questions. All they have to do is make a reservation online and go from there.”

?What T-BOX has printed

One especially eye-catching print to come out of T-BOX is a 1/10 size 3D printed model of an installation work exhibited at the Design Biennale exhibition in London in 2021.?This work is divided into 6 parts, which are printed individually and combined together. The work shows the 3D scanning of various objects in the cities of Tokyo and London and converted them into 3D data.?

For example, Maneki Neko, Kaminarimon, Cicadas, Vending Machines, Taiyaki, Donuts, and other objects from Tokyo. In London, various urban elements such as London underground seats, mailboxes, and pubs were 3D scanned, collected, and combined.

?In the actual work, a Styrofoam block is carved out with CNC and used as a mold to attach Japanese paper.?Finally, the work was transported to London and put up for the exhibition.

?“I thought that this work would be quite difficult to print due to the complicated shape scanned using 3D. I printed it with Ultimaker, so even though it has fine details, it printed beautifully and intricately.”

Installation work 1/10 size 3D printed model, design biennale exhibition work
        

When asked if it was difficult to print, Hirano says: “I would say it’s challenging. The original scanned data of this work is about 1 terabyte, and even if it is reduced, one panel is about 300 MB.?I was worried that there might be an error during the slicing process, but even if I put it into Ultimaker Cura and sliced it, it never froze. That proves that Ultimaker is ideal to be used for critical projects that have a lot of details.”

“Control software plays a huge part in ensuring the quality of your output. When I was exposed to various digital fabrication devices, it was concerning that some of them are too complicated to utilise. Ultimaker Cura removed those complications by creating devices that are simple yet intuitive. There are pre-set parameters, so even beginners can easily learn how to use it. If you get used to the software to some extent, you will be able to set detailed parameters as you need, so it is very responsive.”

“All in all, I would say that Ultimaker is designed to meet different skill and experience levels. I think it's the perfect 3D printing system for everyone, both for first-time users and those who need to use it on a daily basis.”

Forward to the Future

Towards the end of our conversation with Hirano, we asked him about the future for T-BOX, starting with who else he thinks could benefit.

“I believe that T-BOX will benefit everyone, no matter what their course is. But I believe that graduate school students who need to reinforce concrete formwork may find this facility very useful. Also, students can design a mold with complicated shapes and try to downsize them. This can also be used to design and make small furniture and accessories. The possibilities are endless.”

If budget and space are not issues, I would like to add a few things.

And as for what other tools could be added, Hirano plans to add a few things if budget and space are not issues. “A robot arm and a larger 3D printer that can handle bigger projects. But for now, what we have is more than enough. I feel that I have finally been able to bring global-standard digital fabrication devices to our University, helping students and faculty members go beyond what’s conventional.”

“What’s next for me is I will use our existing 3D printers to educate the entire department of architecture on the value of digital fabrication as they innovate their work. I would like to continue exploring new ways or methods of using Ultimaker products and help encourage students to do the same.”

And while the students will always come first, Hirano says he is also planning to open the facility to the public in some way. “Gradually, we’ll aim to make each machine available to the general public. We need to prepare if we will make 3D printers available for everyone. Definitely, we would want to share this experience with those who want to explore new creative ideas.”

Jürgen von Hollen, CEO at Ultimaker: “It is great to see advanced educational institutions like the University of Tokyo recognize the importance of 3D printing and to bring out the full creative inspiration of its students to prepare them to be as impactful as they can be when they enter the professional world. Our 3D printers, software and digital factory are used across the world in a variety of industries and applications addressing a wide range of business benefits. I applaud the University of Tokyo for its role to help propel 3D printing in becoming a transformational business technology delivering flexibility and sustainable value.”

More about 3D printing in education Want to discover more use cases of 3D printing in education and see how Ultimaker products could help your students? Discover 3D printing in education

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