How the Element came into the world
Team Prvok: Michal Trpák, Kateřina Nováková, Jiří Vele, Ladislav Trpák, Martin Jiříček a Kamil Klejna
Beginnings
We tested our first experiments with 3D printing: a flowerpot in the shape of a human figure, urban furniture or the Budějovice sign as part of the 4-month Art in the City 2019 exhibition organized by Michal Trpák. The robot was lent by ABB and we gained expertise thanks to the cooperation with experts from Hyperion Robotics.
On January 17, 2019 we founded Scoolpt s.r.o.
First idea of the printed house
The first visions took place on paper, the next in the digital computer world.
On the scene enters the Bullfrog
Buřinka, and after her other partners, had the courage to support a dream that was far from reality at that moment. And yes, even we could not imagine all the obstacles on the way. Fortunately... Great help then came from Master Builders Solution, who provided us with the press mix for both the house and the tests.
Work on the project
Tomáš Rousek and Lucia Cyprianová join the design team. Together we are finalizing the design so that Prvok can be printed, disassembled, transported, folded and floated on the water. Prvok acquires more concrete and, most importantly, more projectionally feasible outlines, sometimes with the unpleasant gnashing of Michal's teeth. Matter is always a bit confining compared to soaring visions.
Working model
Tomáš Rousek
Printing of wall section in Brno
For the Festival of Architecture in Brno (28 February 2020), the robot "Masha" got a decent red outfit and we printed a part of the arched wall weighing 800 kg. However, 10 minutes after the printing was finished, the top half of the wall collapsed. Oops. The fault lay with the poor quality structure holding the print, which swung down. However, together with the structural engineer, this made us think again about the construction of the wall at Prvok's. We created a different curvature for the outer wall and changed the inner walls from bowed to vertical. In addition, we added stiffening columns every 500 mm to the walls. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Prvok's bedroom print at CTU
To make sure that the 3D printed building can withstand static loads, we printed the bedroom part at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University and tested it. That is, we tried to destroy it with the pressure of a giant press. At the time, it was our largest print.
On April 1, 2020, we printed the entire bedroom. It took 9 hours to print and the only major problem was printing the top of the window. We didn't have a well prepared formwork for this section. However, two members sacrificed and heroically held the "support" until the concrete dried.
The maximum calculated load on the structure is 4 tonnes. Pressure tests have shown that Prvok can easily support 50 tonnes, which is where the press's capabilities end. According to the updated calculations, we have even reached a value of 400 tons!
So we actually have our first printed bunker. The US Army started testing 3D printed bunkers after we did!
Exchanger hall in České Budějovice
In České Budějovice, we managed to hunt for a place to print Prvok! It's an old heat exchanger. It's like jumping back a couple of decades and we have to clean a hall that hasn't been inhabited for years. We appreciate the work of the Ukrainian citizens.
Prvoka bedroom print
9 - 11 June 2020 we printed Prvok's bedroom.
We learn how to do prescription blend tests before printing. The press was divided into sections to allow time for each part to dry. This sectioning was necessary due to the local conditions (16 degrees and 80% humidity). In such an environment, the concrete does not set as quickly as we would like. After Budejovice we are looking for hot air blowers and then diesel again. We are learning how to do regulatory mix tests. A number of improvements in terms of mixers to get a constant mix. We also put the name of the work in the foundation wall. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Prvoka bathroom printing
On June 15, 2020 we print the Prvok bathroom.
Printing took 10 hours. "Misha, put reinforcements in the attic! It's fine, it'll hold." It didn't last, we are richer for another experience and two hours for reprinting. We are still learning and our ability to reprint even certain parts is sharpening like a samurai sword. Yes, Scoolpt's sculptural roots are undeniable.
Finishing work
At this point we would like to highlight all partners. We may not be able to plan everything perfectly, but we can pull it off with commitment and energy. We know that you, our dear partners, have not had it easy at times, but we appreciate it all the more. Wrinkles and grey hairs are appearing, but Misha's "We'll figure it out" is what keeps us moving forward. Okay!
A few pearls to give you an idea: The pontoon factory was knocked out by Covid, and the gantry crane died a few days before it was supposed to load the protozoan onto the sleeper. But the Prvok survives almost anything, it seems.
Transfer Prvoka
Thanks to the guys from the Hanyš company we managed to load Prvok in České Budějovice on the car. The transport to Prague took place under the cover of darkness. We were working in strict secrecy, so strict that even the port manager in Holešovice didn't notice us early on - who would notice those giant trucks and a 100-ton crane, right?
Ground plan of Prvok
Longitudinal section of Prvoka
10. - 14. 8. 2020 Holešovice harbour
PRVOK was created with LOVE
scoolpt team
