The New York City Econcomic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) recently announced the winners of its “Change the Course” NYC waterfront construction competition, and D-Shape, a self-described “mega-scale, free-form printer of buildings,” took first prize.
Just over six months ago, hurricane Sandy ravaged the coastlines of 24 Mid-Atlantic states causing $71.4 billion in damages. No states were more effected by the storm than New York, and in an effort to reclaim and transform “hundreds of miles of New York City’s waterfront, Mayor Michael Bloomberg launched the “Change the Course” competition.
Of the numerous entries into the competition, D-Shape”s idea to restore the piers, piles and seawalls that ring NYC’s waterfront took first prize. D-Shape’s idea is to 3D scan each of the decomposing and destroyed pillars and piles that support NYC’s shipping and recreational piers. Once scanned the company would 3D print concrete encasements that are tailor made for each application.
Judges for the competition lauded D-Shape for the myriad benefits of its submission. “The advantages of quality control in fabricating off-site yet being able to closely fit the encasements, blocks or extensions to the surface that they are nestled into has a number of advantages, including lower costs, better quality control (thus longer life), lower labor mobilization and quicker delivery and installations. Furthermore, there is a potential opportunity to rejuvenate the waterfront by letting artists leverage the total freedom of design to add an aesthetic touch without a significant added cost.”
What’s even more incredible is that D-Shape believes its solution could save New York City some $2.9 billion if their projected were deployed across all 565 miles of dilapidated coastline.
Images courtesy of D-Shape