Foldcast SlabX - Foldcast SlabX. Paper formworks for concrete elements
People
(Responsible)
(Collaborator)
Abstract
Slabs represent 65% of the constructive mass of a building. Despite design solutions to optimize the amount of material in concrete slabs do exist, they are rarely implemented. This is because conventional formworks are time-consuming, cost intensive and wasteful when used for optimized shapes.
Our approach solves this problem by replacing 90% conventional formwork material (timber and metal) with paper: a fully recyclable, low-cost, lightweight, and simple-to-shape material.
Also, the use of computational design tools in combination with digital cutting machines (for paper) and robotic additively casting methods (for concrete) automates fabrication of material optimized concrete slabs. This approach offers the following USPs for the following stakeholders:
- Real estate developers: sustainable buildings (40% less material/CO2 emissions).
- Formwork providers: 10 times cheaper than conventional formwork for optimized structures, fully recyclable.
- General contractors: 40% materials savings and much less construction waste.
- Architects and engineers: new, optimized design possibilities with non-standard shapes.
