Digital Planting - Fabrication of Integrated Concrete Green Wall via Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

Green walls are becoming a symbol of modern architecture representing sustainability and aesthetics. However, the fabrication of wall components that can nurture the growth of plants and other living creatures requires components to locate soil and other substrates, a controlled rugosity for plants and moss to grip, and conduits to distribute water and nutrients. This is normally done by adding extra attachments to the façade. In this paper, we introduce a digital approach to design and produce architectural components that can integrate green wall's functional requirements into the wall itself. Such components are fabricated via Additive Manufacturing (AM) extrusion with the assists of robotic arms.