SOUTHEAST ASIA CONSTRUCTION30 Jun 2021
Striatus - the first of its kind 3D concrete printed arched bridge

The Block Research Group (BRG) at ETH Zurich, Zaha Hadid Architects Computation and Design Group (ZHACODE), incremental3D, and building materials manufacturer Holcim have been working together to build the Striatus 3D concrete printed masonry bridge.

The structure stands solely through compression without reinforcement, achieving strength through geometry. It was built using advanced technologies, from computational design and engineering to robotic manufacturing.

This first of its kind 3D concrete printed arched bridge was designed to place material only where needed, significantly reducing its environmental footprint. With no reinforcement and using dry assembly without binders, it can be repurposed repeatedly.

The innovative method opens up a world of possibilities with concrete in a design that is structurally informed, fabrication-aware and ecologically responsible. Material can be precisely placed to build more with less.

The Striatus bridge has been built for the ‘Time Space Existence’ exhibition, hosted by the European Cultural Centre (ECC) during the Venice Architecture Biennale 2021, which is currently taking place until 21 November 2021. It can be seen at the Giardini della Marinaressa in Venice, Italy.

Image and video: Zaha Hadid Architects