Metal formation can require a great deal of hands-on manipulation with a heat source, a technique known as “heating and pounding.” Up until recently this has made it difficult to cost-effectively 3D print metal. However, researchers have now discovered how to “write” structural alterations into metal alloys during the 3D printing process.
“To advance the process, researchers created a new recipe for 3D-printed metal that allows for precise control over the material’s interior structure while it is melted by a laser. The researchers found that they could tailor the qualities of the finished material by manipulating how the substance solidifies after melting and the amount of heat generated throughout the process. Metals are often intended to be strong and durable so that they may be used safely in structural applications. 3D-printed metals are robust by nature, but they are also fragile.”
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Location: University Park, PA
Product: ALUCOBOND PLUS (MCM)
General Contractor: Holder Construction
Architect: Allied Works
The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State University is an institution with a 45-year history of innovation, a strong academic mission, and a growing collection. Positioned between the campus core and the Arboretum, the site seamlessly connects the Museum and the Arboretum, creating links between people, landscape, and art. The design, featuring interlocking pavilions clad in local stone, expands gallery space and enhances resources for education, programming, and events. The pavilions, with indoor and outdoor garden courtyards, capture abundant daylight and curated views, providing a dynamic setting for the rich American art collection. This project promises to be a vibrant intersection of art, architecture, and nature, serving as an interdisciplinary center for the University and the wider community. MillerClapperton is fabricating and installing over 11,000 square feet of metal composite material for this project.
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U.S. Presidents, famous colleges, and nearby landmarks often inspire new street names, but who actually gets the final say in what a new thoroughfare is called varies not just by state, but often by the individual community. In Texas, new housing development Harvest Green actually has a few streets named after prized local goats.
“American Planning Association research program and QA manager David Morley, AICP, says, ‘The entity who decides the final name is different from place to place. In some communities it may be the planning commission, and in other communities it may be the top building official, the director of public works, or the transportation department.’”
Find out more about where the streets get their sometimes surprising names.
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If you’ve think you’ve seen all the notable sites in Germany, think again.
“I hadn’t known about Miniatur Wunderland, despite having made numerous trips to Germany, as the daughter of two German-born parents. My son, on the other hand, had been talking about Wunderland for years, ever since he discovered some YouTube videos of it. He was particularly interested in the working airport, which averages 500 takeoffs and landings a day, displayed on a flight monitor (the difference: these model planes are always on time).”
Although traveling usually involves visiting full scale destinations, the tiny world of Miniatur Wunderland housed in Hamburg, Germany, offers travelers the chance to visit Rio de Janeiro, Vatican City, Las Vegas, and Mount Vesuvius (among many other popular, if miniaturized, places) in the span of only a few hours. The attraction is particularly notable for its functional infrastructure, including a mini-airport and 16,138 meters of tiny railroad track.
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Recommendation: Building Soul with Thomas Heatherwick
Produced By: BBC
In this three-part podcast series from the BBC, designer and architect Thomas Heatherwick rails against what he calls the “blandemic” currently plaguing the global built environment. Whether one agrees or disagrees with his assessment, this podcast is a thought-provoking analysis of the public realm and how our daily lives are shaped by the structures around us. Have we been collectively neglecting to prioritize joy and engagement in our buildings?
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