2019

The WEF Funicular Floor is a prototype for an innovative load-bearing slab system that uses a minimal amount of concrete, integrates highly efficient building systems, and exhibits an elaborate design. The optimised structural geometry and high level of functional integration result in a highly complex shape. The fabrication of such a shape in concrete would typically involve wasteful formwork solutions, which require complex assembly and removal sequences. Instead, we developed an innovative formwork solution based on state-of-the-art submilimetre polymer extrusion 3D printing. This allowed us to create bespoke, ultra-lightweight moulds, used to form the internal duct system as well as the visible soffit of the slab.

We co-developed and designed this concept within a multi-disciplinary team involving DBT, BRG, and A/S, three research chairs at ETH Zürich. The demonstrator was exhibited in the ETH Zürich Pavilion in Davos at WEF 2019, the World Economic Forum focused on Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Credits:

DBT, ETH Zürich

Andrei Jipa, Georgia Chousou, Matteo Lomaglio, Prof. Dr. Benjamin Dillenburger

BRG, ETH Zürich

Cristián Calvo Barentin, Dr. Matthias Rippmann, Dr. Andrew Liew, Dr. Tom Van Mele, Prof. Dr. Philippe Block

Architecture and Building Systems, ETH Zurich 

Dr. Gearóid Lydon, Prof. Dr. Arno Schlüter

Industry Partners and Sponsors

BASF (Schweiz) AG, Holcim (Schweiz) AG, NCCR dfab, Bekaert

Support

Andi Reusser, Mike Lyrenmann, Nora Ravanidou, Patrick Bedarf

Photography

Andrei Jipa, Matthias Rippman