AT THE VANGUARD OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN

A long-standing partner of “Salon Suisse”, an official Swiss contribution to the Venice Biennale organised by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, Laufen also sponsored in 2016 the Release Architecture — Incidental Space issue of ARCH+, co-edited by Christian Kerez & Sandra Oehy, which sheds light on the theoretical background of the contribution of the Swiss Pavilion.

As part of the Architecture during Art Symposium, an annual symposium established by Laufen and held at the same time as Art Basel, the participants met up again in Switzerland to exchange ideas. The keynote speakers were Christian Kerez and Benjamin Dillenburger, who took part in the implementation of Incidental Space as Professor of Digital Building Technologies in the Architecture Department at ETH Zurich.

Fascinated by the topic of additive manufacturing, Laufen first spoke in Zurich to Prof. Dillenburger, Prof. Hansmeyer from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna and Mr. Christen, of the firm Christenguss, and then headed to the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Berlin. Talks with Prof Günster (BAM), Dipl.-Ing. Mühler (TU Clausthal) and Prof. Dillenburger (ETH) are leading into the future. This exhibition includes a sculpture by Michael Hansmeyer and Benjamin Dillenburger developed at the Chair of Digital Building Technologies.

COOPERATION PARTNER TU CLAUSTHAL

Dr. Fischer, Laufen’s Research Director, first worked with TU Clausthal in 2008 to create the world’s very first functional 3D-printed toilet. It was built and processed on a scale of 1:10 from Laufen’s own vitreous china suspension.

Its complex component geometry is built from ceramic suspension by way of layer-wise slurry deposition (LSD). The ceramic layers are solidified by selective laser sintering (SLS). In this state, sanitary ceramic components can undergo regular glazing, decorating and sintering. These components look no different than those parts which are produced conventionally.

COOPERATION PARTNER LITHOZ

The Atelier oï Saphirkeramik sculpture displayed in this exhibition was produced using a 3D print process developed by our business associates at the company Lithoz. Lithoz is a worldwide leader in innovation, and was the first company to process high-performance ceramics in a 3D print process with extremely high density, resistance and the utmost in precision. The finished parts boast the same material characteristics as those of conventionally produced ceramics.

Their patented technology is based on the selective mask exposure of a photosensitive resin containing homogeneously- dispersed ceramic particles. During structuring, a green body — a composite of ceramic powder and an organic polymer matrix — is created. Photopolymers form the basic structure of the component, and serve as a binder between the ceramic particles. The photopolymers are then removed by pyrolysis during debinding, and the ceramic particles are thickly sintered in the concluding sintering process.

GENERATIVE MANUFACTURING — A SIDE NOTE

Generative or additive manufacturing is an automated process for producing three-dimensional objects from 3D CAD datasets, without the use of tools. 3D printing is based on the layer building principle. One often refers to an “additive” process because the material is added one step at a time. Although 3D printing has been around since the 1980s, it has only just started to be used industrially with sustainable high-performance or silicate ceramics during the last few years.

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS

in alphabetical order

STUDIO ACHERMANN

Beda Achermann and his team manage to successfully merge art and commerce: With their network of internationally renowned photographers and artists they produce highly collectible publications and advertising.

BENJAMIN DILLENBURGER , MICHAEL HANSMEYER

Trained architects who focus on digital fabrication aiming to create an architecture that defies classification and reductionism. They explore unseen levels of resolution and topological complexity in architecture by developing compositional strategies based on purely geometric processes.

FLAG

Bastien Aubry and Dimitri Broquard are based in Zurich, Switzerland. The focus of their work focuses essentially on art and cultural projects. In addition, both designers teach at art schools in Switzerland.

STEFANO GIOVANNONI

The expressive form of designer and architect Stefano Giovannoni virtuously play with the symbols and metaphors of the subconscious and fascinate with their narrative qualities.

KONSTANTIN GRCIC

The designs of Konstantin Grcic are characterized by careful research and a great passion for technology and materials.

ALFREDO HÄBERLI

Alfredo Häberlis’ designs unite tradition and innovation, joy and energy. His work is strongly influenced by his early childhood in Argentina, as well as by his curiosity and studies of everyday life.

TOAN NGUYEN

A keen sense of the trends and developments in society and the environment is a characteristic feature of the designer Toan Nguyen.

NISSEN WENTZLAFF

“How can a building ensemble grow, how will it change and what are the constants that create identity and ensure spatial quality?” These questions guide and define the credo of Laufen Forum architects, the Basel based Nissen Wentzlaff.

ATELIER OÏ

Diversity is the hallmark of the Swiss Atelier oï, from La Neuville by Lake Biel. With playfulness and joy, Aurel Aebi, Armand Louis and Patrick Reymond question established norms.

LUDOVICA+ROBERTO PALOMBA

Italian design: the versatile architects and designers Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, have made an international name for themselves.

PATRICIA URQUIOLA

The designs of Patricia Urquiola are unconventional, emphatic, and experimental, blending humanist sensibilities and technical expertise – qualities that also inform her work as an architect.

PETER WIRZ

Design of the human touch: this is the credo of Vetica, with headquarters in Lucerne. Designer Peter Wirz and his inter-disciplinary, international team regard themselves as ideas people.

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