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s t a t e . o f . t h e . a r t | p r o j e c t . m a n a g e m e n t . a n d . d o c u m e n t a t i o n

p r o j e c t . c o n c e p t

As a native of Gyumri, a city celebrated for its vibrant art, craftsmanship, and talented individuals, I draw inspiration from the unique volcanic stone, Tuff. Known for its diverse textures and colors, Tuff is not only integral to the city's artistic heritage but also widely used in the construction of buildings throughout Gyumri, Yerevan, and other cities across Armenia. My project aims to repurpose Tuff by transforming it into a flexible stone-textile, suitable for fabric production or 3D printing.

By utilizing the stone powder generated from the construction and other applications of Tuff, I can minimize waste and promote sustainability. This innovative approach not only reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional material sourcing but also emphasizes a circular economy where materials are continually repurposed. By creating a bio-material from Tuff, I aim to showcase its potential in various applications, reinforcing the idea that sustainability can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Through this project, I aspire to celebrate the rich artistic legacy of Gyumri while demonstrating how traditional materials can be reimagined for the future. By embracing sustainability, we can foster a creative environment that respects our heritage while also protecting our planet, paving the way for a more responsible and innovative approach to material use.

i n s p i r a t i o n

MAGIC QUEEN: 3D PRINTED SOIL LANDSCAPE CARED FOR BY ROBOTIC GARDENER

"Magic Queen," presented at the 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale, is an innovative project that showcases a 3D printed landscape created using 90 tonnes of local soil. Developed by the interdisciplinary practice MAEID, led by Daniela Mitterberger and Tiziano Derme, this biodegradable structure represents a fusion of natural and technological elements, redefining the relationship between living systems and architecture.

The installation was crafted directly on-site over a three-month period, with an emphasis on creating a habitat that can evolve and sustain itself. During and after its fabrication, the landscape was seeded with various grasses and inoculated with mushroom spores, allowing it to develop a vibrant ecosystem throughout the biennale.

Mitterberger and Derme explain that "Magic Queen" embodies a hybrid environment, merging biological systems with organic materials and robotic technology. The robotic gardener, suspended above the landscape, is equipped with tools to water the plants and monitor the ecosystem. It gathers data about soil conditions and growth, translating this information into sounds and visual feedback. The project pushes the boundaries of architecture by proposing a self-sufficient environment that operates independently of human intervention. By employing biodegradable materials and responsive technologies, "Magic Queen" fosters the idea of a new wilderness—an autonomous ecosystem where living entities thrive alongside advanced technologies.

"Magic Queen" exemplifies a commitment to sustainability, addressing the urgent need for innovative building practices that respect and enhance ecological systems. The project not only illustrates the potential of biodegradable materials in architecture but also advocates for a paradigm shift in how we perceive and interact with the built environment.

This project amazed me with the idea that soil itself can take on life and form through the power of digital fabrication. Stone, too, has a unique vitality, and stone powder can be transformed in similar ways, taking on new shapes or even entirely different forms.

DESAMANERA: SECOND HAND MINERALS

In exploring stone-based 3D printing technologies for my project, I came across Desamanera, an Italian company that creatively uses minerals and stone powders in their innovative "MarbleSkin" technology. Desamanera focuses on sustainable approaches by transforming mineral waste—particles of marble, stone, and sand—into unique, eco-friendly products.

Using Minerals is like taking a leap in time: back to the origins of man on Earth.

Their MarbleSkin technology reflects their commitment to craftsmanship, utilizing only natural binders to create versatile stone-textured surfaces. These finishes can be applied to various materials, including wood, glass, metal, and even plastics, making it possible to create lightweight, durable, and aesthetically striking objects suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.

One of the fascinating aspects of Desamanera's approach is their adaptability to modern creative needs while honoring traditional materials. MarbleSkin’s textures can be tailored from fine, powdery finishes to larger, more rugged granules, allowing artists and designers to personalize colors and textures. This gives each piece a unique and tactile quality, similar to real stone, yet with innovative features like translucency and even phosphorescent effects. Desamanera’s approach demonstrates the potential of minerals as both functional and artistic materials, merging Italy's artisanal heritage with cutting-edge, sustainable technology.

CONCR3DE: INNOVATING WITH NATURE

My research has led me to discover CONCR3DE, a pioneering company based in the Netherlands that specializes in building advanced powder-based 3D printers. They are not just creating machines; they are reshaping the future of manufacturing by developing new materials for 3D printing. A notable project involved a collaboration with designer Dustin White and Pimar Limestone, where they created a unique printing material using recycled Lecce limestone. This innovative material was used to bring Dustin's AI-inspired design to life, showcased at Marmomac 2023, curated by Professor Giuseppe Fallacare of Poli Bari.

CONCR3DE's approach combines technology and creativity, enabling users to produce remarkable and complex parts with sustainable practices, like upcycling waste materials. Their commitment to harnessing the potential of new materials not only enhances design possibilities but also promotes environmentally friendly production methods. I find their journey of transforming waste into valuable resources incredibly inspiring!

g i t l a b . a n d . m a r k d o w n

Throughout my journey with digital fabrication, GitLab and Markdown have been essential tools for documenting and managing projects. During my experience in Fab Academy, I learned the basics of Git using Git Bash to clone repositories, commit changes, and push updates. It felt like a steep learning curve at first, but over time, I got comfortable with the commands and began to appreciate how Git’s version control could keep my work organized.

For Fabricademy, documenting became even easier thanks to GitLab’s Web IDE. This tool was a game-changer, letting me do everything directly in GitLab—editing, previewing, and committing—all within one interface. I found myself focusing more on the content and less on technical workflows, which made the process feel smoother and more enjoyable.

One of the highlights of using GitLab was the ability to customize my website to better reflect my work. I started with simple changes—adjusting colors and fonts to create a look that felt like “me.” Each project had its own section, organized with headings and images to make navigation easy and visually engaging. Markdown allowed me to keep the layout clean, while small personal touches like clickable images and project previews made the site feel interactive and inviting. Customizing the site became a creative extension of my projects, allowing me to showcase my work in a way that was both professional and personal.

A FEW TIPS THAT WORKED FOR ME

  • Keep It Organized: Breaking down documentation into sections with clear headings (#, ##) in Markdown made everything easier to follow.

  • Use Simple Formatting: Bold, italics, and lists help keep things clean and readable without overcomplicating the content.

  • Commit Regularly: Small, frequent updates help keep track of progress and prevent you from losing valuable changes.

  • Preview as You Go: The Web IDE’s preview option lets you see how your Markdown will look, which helped me catch formatting issues early on.

  • Add Personal Touches to Your Site: Customize colors and layout in GitLab’s Web IDE to create a look that’s both functional and unique to you.

Using GitLab with the Web IDE, along with these customization options, made documenting my projects feel organized, efficient, and personal.

f i n a l . t h o u g h t s

I hope my work encourages others to look at both new and familiar materials in a fresh light. Sustainability, creativity, and a respect for heritage are at the heart of this project, and they’re values I’ll carry forward into future projects. Embracing the tools of digital fabrication has not only helped me capture these ideas—it’s allowed me to celebrate and share them with others.