The little Franconian town Lichtenfels is increasingly developing from the “basket city” of Germany to the international center of 3D printing. A main contributor to this is GE Additive, a division of the worldwide acting company General Electric.
40,000 sqm floorspace, 421 m length and 22 m height are the measurements of the impressive new construction of the GE Additive administration building. The astonishing possibilities of 3D printing were a strong inspiration for us in the design of the interior. Thus, we were able to pick up the subject on nearly 20,000 sqm time and again: for 3D structured wallpaper, 3D cast floor tiles or a 3D structured picture made of pressed coffee grounds. And for an impressive three-dimensional wall covering, made of eight-kilometer-long textile rope, in the two-storied, triangular auditorium.
In order to visualize both the various areas of application and the company history, a varied exhibition with black high-gloss polished monoliths and a mobile displaying patents was developed for the foyer. Taking up the tradition of basket weaving, large woven light installations were used that – just like the ceiling elements of the installed metal mesh boxes – can be lifted to the ceiling by means of a chain hoist. Walls and platforms can be easily dismantled, so that an evenly large space is created for events hosting the entire workforce.
