In the past few years, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have achieved great popularity for civil uses. One of the present main uses of these devices is low-cost aerial photogrammetry, being especially useful in coastal environments. In this work, a high-resolution 3D model of a beach section in Guardamar del Segura (Spain) has been produced by employing a low maximum takeoff mass (MTOM) UAS, in combination with the use of structure-from-motion (SfM) techniques. An unprecedented extensive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) survey was simultaneously carried out to statistically validate the model by employing 1238 control points for that purpose. The results show good accuracy, obtaining a vertical root mean square error (RMSE) mean value of 0.121 m and a high point density, close to 30 pt/m², with similar or even higher quality than most coastal surveys performed with classical techniques. UAS technology permits the acquisition of topographic data with low time-consuming surveys at a high temporal frequency. Coastal managers can implement this methodology into their workflow to study the evolution of complex, highly anthropized dune-beach systems such as the one presented in this study, obtaining more accurate surveys at lower costs.

The COVID-19 pandemic that has struck the world since March 2019 has established an unusual modus operandi for all of us. During this transient situation, some of the activities have been severely altered, especially those which are performed in indoor spaces such as classrooms, restaurants, or libraries. As physical distance is mandatory in most countries, the capacity of these places has been severely reduced, causing unsustainable economic and logistical issues. This work aims to analyze the possible ways of distributing seats in symmetrical spaces for different uses and room sizes. For that purpose, the classical seat arrangement in rows and columns is compared with an equilateral triangle-based seat pattern, which is proposed as a better solution in most cases. Results show that a greater number of seats is achieved in most situations using the proposed patterns, with mean increases of 13% and peaks from 25% to 50% in some specific circumstances. A discussion about an optimized layout, shape and size of the furniture used in multiple seat tables is included. The outcome shall generate a positive impact on schools, colleges, restaurants, libraries, and similar built environments where seating capacity is crucial.

Large-scale additive manufacturing for architectural applications is a growing research field. In the recent years, several real-scale projects demonstrated a preliminary viability of this technology for practical applications in architecture. Concurrently, the use of recycled polymers in 3d printing has progressed as a more sustainable feed for small-scale applications. However, there are limited empirical examples on the use of additive manufacturing using recycled polymers in large-scale and real-life architectural applications. This project develops two design and fabrication approaches to large-scale manufacturing using recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) from single-use bottles into large design elements and tests them in a real-life project. The two designs are discussed in detail: a 4 m diameter dome-like chandelier printed with a robotic extruder using recycled PET pellets, and a 3.5 m diameter chandelier using a Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printing farm. The paper covers the state of the art of related printing technologies and their gaps, describes the printing process developed in this research, details the design of the domes, and discusses the empirical evidence on the benefits and drawbacks of large-scale additive manufacturing using recycled polymers. Overall, the research demonstrates the possibilities of large-scale additive manufacturing using recycled polymers, adding findings form a real-life project to the growing body of research on additive manufacturing in architecture.

The use of 3D printing in architectural research, education and practice has been almost exclusively destined to produce physical representations – models— ...

In the last few years, considerable attention has been paid to additive manufacturing (AM) technologies to redesign and modify the industrial products with regard to its merits. At the initial stage of technology development, AM was mostly used as a building platform for prototyping, whereas its usage has been recently extended to industrial applications. Amid the different methods of AM technology, the development of metal AM, in particular, Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) and metal Binder Jetting (MBJ), facilitate the production of high-quality and complex parts in several sectors of industry such as aerospace, medical, architecture and civil engineering. Understanding the novel advantage of metal 3D-printing in the development of high-performance and functional parts for applications in the construction sector enables researchers to propose different design and form-finding methods for construction components.