Rendering © SOM
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has unveiled a 3D-printed building at the DOE’s inaugural Industry Day event on Wednesday. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the 38x12x13-ft Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy (AMIE) building can be used for off-the-grid shelter.
A photovoltaics roof works with a natural gas generator to provide lighting and power for the building’s microkitchen. The enclosure conserves energy due to its high levels of insulated solid surfaces (79%) to glazed areas (21%). The battery of the attached 3D-printed vehicle provides supplementary power for the building. Using bi-directional wireless energy gets the building off the power grid at peak demand times.