A 3D printed modular column titled “Duality of Skin and Core” is currently on display at the Venice Biennale 2025 as part of the Time, Space, Existence exhibition in the Marinaressa Gardens. The installation was designed by Assistant Professor Cristina Nan of Eindhoven University of Technology and Architect Mattia Zucco, who specializes in computational design and robotic fabrication. The project extends their ongoing Computational Concrete Columns-Series work.
The column’s design deliberately exposes the internal structure through a slit in the outer covering, creating a visual contrast between the “skin” and “core” components. The core features a gradient orange-red color while the outer skin remains grey, highlighting the aesthetic potential of structural elements. Dutch company Vertico handled the large-scale 3D printing, while German company Lanxess supplied the materials and pigments for the project.
Unlike traditional 3D printed concrete structures that are typically monolithic, this column uses a modular approach inspired by ancient Greek and Roman columns made from stacked drums. The modular design allows for easier transportation, disassembly, and reassembly, which can reduce construction waste and increase flexibility for future installations.
The exhibition is curated by Carlo Ratti and runs from May 10 to November 23, 2025, providing visitors an opportunity to view the intersection of architecture, technology, and computational design. The project represents an exploration of how 3D printing technology can be applied to architectural elements while maintaining aesthetic considerations typically associated with traditional construction methods.
Source: parametric-architecture.com