WOODED
This project originates from a design concept developed at BioMat Studio, University of Stuttgart, focusing on material efficiency and sustainable fabrication using 3D printing technologies. The initial exploration was conducted by students Vincent de Jonge, Svilen Karagyozov, and David Schadwill during the Material and Structure seminar (WS 21/22), under the supervision of Assoc.Prof. Dr.-Ing. Arch. Hanaa Dahy and tutoring by Vanessa Costalonga, M.Sc.
The research aimed to optimize material use in two key ways:
Topology optimization, applied through multiple computational iterations using parameters such as design space, target density, applied load, and support conditions to reduce excess material.
Sustainable material selection, using Wood-PLA, a filament composed of approximately 40% recycled wood (sawdust) and bioplastic. This material maintains structural performance while offering a warm wooden texture and aesthetics.
BioMat GmbH followed further on developing the concepts into a more advanced and fabrication-ready designs. This included testing additional materials, color variations, and fabrication parameters to adapt the outcome for real-world implementation as custom furniture elements—bridging the gap between academic research and practical application.
