Evolution of Creating: A Phenomenological Study on the Lived Experiences of Architects with 3DPrinting

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

3D printers turn digital computer models into solid, physical objects by building them in many thin layers. It is also now being considered as the third industrial revolution because of the ways it changed traditional manufacturing. One of the fields that utilized the advantages the technology offers is the field of architecture where it is used in printing architectural models and even printing structures. While there are studies from the Philippines exploring the usability of 3D printers, there seem to be a shortage of studies explaining the lived experiences with the technology in architects coming from the locality of Cavite.

METHODS

This study used a qualitative research design, specifically a phenomenological study method. To describe the lived experiences of architects with 3D printing, the researchers used transcendental phenomenology. To choose the architects that will participate in the study, purposive and convenience sampling was utilized. To gather the data, the researchers conducted a semi-structured in-depth interview with the participants. Lastly, thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The researchers found that the common issues encountered by architects with 3D printing can be classified as those that concern before one can use the machine, and the issues while using the machine. As answered by the architects, one must first know using a 3D printer, but mastery is needed to fully utilize the machine. While issues like the 3D printers cannot resume its printing due to a sudden loss of power or the nozzle of the printer uncontrollably melts the filament after a long period time are included in the technical aspects. On the other hand, the researchers also found out the changes that 3D printers bring to the architects' way of creating 3D objects: (1) 3D printers can be used in printing architectural models; (2) 3D printed architectural models are durable, complex and faster to create compared to those models created by hand; lastly, (3) architects can use 3D printed models in visualizing a project.

DISCUSSIONS

As such, the study found out that 3D printing is undeniably an evolution of creating. The researchers concluded that despite the issues faced by the architects in using a 3D printer, it's still a very useful technology that architects can utilize in creating 3D models to help with their projects.