Clay printer research

Material research of Groninger clay and 3D printing

Research into locally sourced, sustainable materials is being conducted, with a focus on 3D printing techniques and Groninger clay to design products that tell the story of the Wadden Sea.

The use of a 3D clay printer bridges two worlds: the craft of the ceramist and the modern craft of 3D software and printer technology. These two realms are inherently different and don't naturally align, which creates an interesting conflict. This tension opens up numerous possibilities for merging the two worlds and leveraging the strengths of both. For instance, the precision of 3D printing meets the unpredictable nature of clay, which never behaves exactly as intended. This discrepancy can lead to small errors that, rather than detracting from the design, contribute to a unique aesthetic that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.