The art wall made with 3D-printed sand has been permanently collected by the Dubai Museum

On December 13, 2023, the Dubai Future Museum showcased a sand wall created through Sand 3D Printing.

Approximately 6 meters long, this wall was designed by architect and researcher Barry Wark. It combines art with modern technology, reminiscent of ancient mural design elements. Named "Nadarra," it's considered one of the most complex sand 3D printed walls ever made.

Wark believes sand 3D printing could revolutionize architecture, envisioning its use for indoor and outdoor walls and structural elements due to its load-bearing and durability potentials. Initially displayed in February 2022 as part of the "Tomorrow Today" exhibition, "Nadarra" now expanded to 3×6m, is permanently housed in the museum. Featuring intricate 3D textures on its exterior, the wall offers a unique aesthetic appeal. Wark used generative AI software to design these surfaces, simulating natural erosion. He aimed to blur the lines between natural and artificial, emphasizing the increasing ambiguity in defining these categories.

The wall, a series of 3D-printed "puzzle pieces" made through binder jetting printing, highlights the potential of this form of 3D printing in desert countries like the Middle East. Wark envisions utilizing local materials for future urban design and construction, promoting eco-friendly architecture. The wall can be ground and reprinted up to eight times without compromising its structural integrity. Initially a living wall with moss in crevices to represent plant habitation on natural walls, the moss was later removed partly due to long-term maintenance in the museum setting.

Removing the original plant element, Wark believes, resonates more with the wall's design, as it showcases the natural beauty of the UAE's sparse vegetation. This emphasizes ecological design approaches without forcing vegetation in unsuitable areas, highlighting harmony with the local environment.

This project illustrates the extraordinary value of sand-type 3D printing, not only in industry but also in art.