At HK Architects, we're harnessing the power of 3D printing in architecture to enhance our design process and deliver exceptional results to our clients. In this pursuit, we're excited to announce our recent investment in 3D printing technology. This addition to our design toolkit marks a step forward in how we approach architectural design and presentation.

3D printing offers several key advantages:

• Rapid prototyping allows us to quickly produce physical models during schematic design, enabling efficient exploration of design alternatives.
• The technology is cost-effective and reduces expenses associated with traditional model-making while maintaining high quality.
• Models enhance visualization and collaboration with clients, offering tangible, three-dimensional representations of their projects.

These advantages foster clearer communication and understanding of spatial relationships and design intent. Finally, 3D printing accelerates our design iteration process. We can swiftly produce and test multiple design versions during schematic design, refining our solutions more efficiently. This investment isn't just about keeping pace with trends; it's about enhancing our capabilities to deliver even better outcomes.

3D Printing and Collaboration for Montague Park

Our first 3D printing project came about in preparation for the kickoff schematic design charette with Reed Hilderbrand (Cambridge, MA), Chattanooga Design Studio (Chattanooga, TN), Hillworks Design (Auburn, AL), Studio Ludo (Philadelphia, PA), and Sherwood Engineers (Atlanta, GA) at the Reed Hilderbrand office in Cambridge, Massachusetts. HK’s founding partner Heidi Hefferlin and project manager, Michael Prater attended the meeting, bringing carefully wrapped structures in their carry-on suitcases from Tennessee to Massachusetts. Read more about the Vision Plan for the new Montague Park here.

 

To bring the entire teams’ ideas to life, discussions centered around a 1:20 working model of the 45-acre park. HK’s part of the project is the Civic Edge; a linear group of buildings positioned between the parking and the park that acts as a gateway to the park. To bring the Civic Edge to life, we printed multiple structures, which were either open, covered, or enclosed, to be moved around the model to explore multiple iterations of placement with the design team and stakeholders.

 

"The ability to edit a physical composition allowed for quick design iterations during the Montague Park Design Charette. It was incredibly helpful for each member of the team to be able to clearly articulate a design direction through the use of the models which allowed the team to share ideas and collaborate in real time." -Michael Prater, HK Project Manager

The integration of 3D printing in architecture at HK Architects marks a significant step forward in our design capabilities. From rapid prototyping to enhanced client collaboration, this technology assists us in how we approach projects like the Montague Park in Chattanooga. As we continue to explore and expand our use of 3D printing, we're excited about the possibilities it offers for creating more innovative, efficient, and client-focused architectural solutions.