Improving Natural Ventilation Through 3D Concrete Printing

Abstract

3D Concrete Printing emerges as a sustainable alternative to conventional construction methods, offering substantial technological, sustainable and social benefits. This technology is seen as a means for sustainable construction by reducing waste, minimising the use of primary materials, increasing efficiency, lowering costs, and creating customised complex structures without moulds-such as facade-integrated natural ventilation systems-that enhance building performance. As global temperatures continue to rise, there is a growing need to use equipment, particularly air conditioning, to alleviate the thermal discomfort caused by climate change, such as heat waves. However, with this growing demand, energy consumption can increase significantly, generating environmental impacts if electricity is generated from non-renewable sources, besides the financial costs, the need for maintenance and repairs, the use of refrigerant gases and diseases. In response to these challenges, architecture has adopted strategies seeking to use facades as a means of bioclimatic control, thus regulating and providing permanent natural ventilation, contributing to the energy efficiency of buildings. This study proposes the development of an architectural facade element that combines parametric design tools and 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) processes to facilitate natural ventilation and evaporative cooling, due to the execution of complex shapes. The goal is to create a sustainable cooling system that reduces reliance on mechanical systems like air conditioning. The project seeks to combine thermal efficiency, sustainability and technological innovation, exploring the potential of additive manufacturing to meet environmental comfort demands.