Experimental Gelateria Showcases Interior Design with 3D-Printed Recycled Plastic Twirls
An Alpine community in Switzerland has become slightly more architecturally captivating due to a partnership between Origen and ETH Zurich. Gelateria blends traditional Alpine design with state-of-the-art 3D printing technology. From the exterior, Gelateria resembles a quaint barn draped in a translucent covering. However, it’s upon entering that the true enchantment unfolds.
The interior was crafted by ETH students pursuing their Master’s of Advanced Studies in Architecture and Digital Fabrication. It bursts with color, courtesy of 3D-printed “ribbons” made from recycled plastic. Remarkably lightweight, they hang from the ceiling like vibrant banners, forming a striking wave pattern that fills the area. Origen, a cultural entity in the village, along with ETH Zurich, utilized recycled PETG to fashion these artistic components. This thermoplastic, commonly employed in food packaging, beautifully showcases the potential of recycled plastic in design.
Gelateria occupies the location of an old barn, with its recycled timber framework appropriately reflecting that of its forerunner. A translucent membrane allows light to permeate the interior, creating a mesmerizing spectacle in the evening that reveals the vibrant colors within to onlookers.
Designed for disassembly, Gelateria serves as an inventive representation of circular design where every element is utilized. “Its timber components can be joined again or repurposed, and the plastic dome can be shredded and reprinted into new shapes, emphasizing how progressive digital methods can embody both creativity and ecological responsibility,” notes Origen.
This charming temporary structure represents a beacon of creativity, sustainability, and the circular design essential for advancing our planet.
Gelateria is an innovative creation in a Swiss Alpine village, designed by ETH Zurich students in partnership with Origen.
The interior dazzles with vibrant colors due to 3D-printed “ribbons” that embrace the area.
Constructed from a recycled thermoplastic frequently used in food packaging, they cover over 250 square meters and weigh under a ton.
Designed for disassembly, Gelateria exemplifies a pioneering circular design approach where nothing is wasted.
ETH Zurich: [Website](https://ethz.ch/en.html) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ethzurich/) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/eth/)
Origen: [Website](https://origen.ch/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/origenfestivalcultural/) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/origenfestivalcultural/?hl=de)
_All images by Stefan Kaiser. My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Origen._
Related Articles:
[Startup Creates 3D Printer That Can Build Homes in Less Than 24 Hours](https://mymodernmet.com/icon-3d-printed-house/)
[Stylish Chicken Coop Cleverly Designed To Be Hidden Within a Hill at a Park](https://mymodernmet.com/chicken-hero-pavilion-jakarta/)
[3D-Printed ‘Rain Catcher’ House Reimagines Sustainable Home Design](https://mymodernmet.com/rain-catcher-3d-printed-house/)
[Circular Urban Swimming Pool in Lisbon Transforms Dilapidated Pier Into Community Oasis](https://mymodernmet.com/loop-pool-tejo-lisbon/)