Zukunft[s]formen.
Experimental material research on paste-like biomaterials using 3D printing technology. Bachelor thesis by Katharina Gorbach.
Developing a living Membrane
My bachelor thesis "Zukunft[s]formen" (Future[s]forms) explores experimental material research on biomaterials in 3D printing. This research project uses a material-driven approach to develop a circular, 3D-printable formulation. The central outcome is the concept of the "Living Membrane" – a structural system that examines the interface between biology and digital fabrication. To conclude the study, the application is evaluated through three speculative future scenarios at an architectural scale. A key focus of the thesis is on the circularity of materials (circular design). The project is supported by the Italian 3D printing company WASP. I pursued an interdisciplinary approach and conducted my experiments in the Building Materials Laboratory (Faculty of Civil Engineering) at THWS Würzburg (Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt / University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt).
Application concept
The "Living Membrane" contributes to sustainable, socially responsible design through three speculative architectural-scale scenarios. First, as green roof- and rainwater storage in cities: Modular facades store rainwater via clay's moisture-regulating properties and cool buildings while improving air quality – countering urban heat and soil sealing. The second application is for a time-based art sculpture for soil renaturation in public spaces: Depending on how it's printed, the structure either dissolves over time to release nutrient-rich clay and seeds or becomes overgrown by plants. In both cases it is boosting biodiversity by sheltering small creatures and enabling targeted reseeding. The third concept is a protective barrier against landslides and rockfall: An ecological alternative to concrete or steel that stabilizes slopes short-term while gradually letting plant roots grow through it, evolving into a self-sustaining, living safety system.
The process
The project started with material research: Developing a printable clay-based paste by carefully balancing regional clay/loam with organic additives (sawdust, cornstarch, Methylcellulose, Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sediment, sand) until it reached the viscosity and stability needed for the extrusion. In parallel, the forms were developed computationally in Rhino and Grasshopper, using parametric tools like differential growth to generate the dense, organic branching patterns that give the structures both their aesthetic character and their structural support. These digital models were sliced and printed layer by layer on a Delta WASP 2040 clay printer, with print settings such as speed, flow rate, and air pressure fine-tuned through iterative testing. The resulting objects, called "Living Membrane," follow a two-phase concept: the printed geometry forms the first phase, while nutrient-rich zones embedded in the material allow seeds to germinate and plants to grow into the structure over time, letting the piece continue to transform and complete itself as a living, fourth-dimensional design.
