Superframe: A Novel Construction System that Combines Planar Panels with 3D-Printed Frames Made from Recycled Thermoplastic Materials

The authors of this chapter introduce Superframe, a system developed to create cost-effective free-form claddings. The innovation of the system is centered around the capability to combine planar n-gonal panels with twisted-edge frames, effectively addressing the discretization of intricate surfaces. This solution is made possible through a 3D printing process that shapes the frames according to the required geometries, utilizing recycled plastic through Robotic Additive Moulding (RAM) technology. The 3D-printed frames can be paired with various interior or exterior cladding materials, offering numerous configuration possibilities and granting designers unparalleled creative freedom. In a broader sense, Superframe represents an approach to complex geometries that is mindful of the challenges—or field of forces—of our time, tied to conscious resource utilization, and leveraging the possibilities offered by computational design.