Qatar connects the present and past with one of the most striking objects at the Floriade Expo 2022 in Almere: a 3D printed modern version of the Burj al-Hamam. At 12.1 meters it is the tallest self-supporting 3D printed construction in the world. This unique object has earned with this a well-deserved place in the Guinness World Records book. The ‘pigeon tower’ was designed by Dar & the Expo Pavilion group and printed by Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix in Eindhoven.
The 3D-printed Burj al-Hamam pays tribute to the traditionally built pigeon towers in Qatar and is characterized by their special, architectural shape. During the migration season, the tower provides shelter for more than a thousand pigeons. At the same time, it provides an ecological way of farming. Thanks to the clever construction, the pigeon droppings can be collected and used as fertilizer for local farms. Visitors to the Floriade can also get to know the 3D printed structure and construction inside and up close. Since many wild pigeons now gratefully use the tower, access is of course entirely at your own risk.
The Burj al-Hamam was built without steel reinforcement or poured concrete. At 12.1 meters it is the highest 3D printed tower in the world. This is confirmed by measurement by an official of Guinness World Records. To further reduce the carbon footprint, Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix has significantly reduced the energy requirement of the production process and the amount of material. As a result, up to 60 percent less CO2 was emitted for the towers than with the traditional way of building.
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