Visit the Miniature, 3D-Printed City Hall of Antwerp

We took on the project together with a 3D engineering bureau from Ghent called Mindscape 3D. Mindscape 3D are specialized in creating digital 3D models, so they completely recreated the design of the city hall model on the computer, and sent the files to us to print.

Once we received the files, we got to work optimizing them for the 3D printer, using Materialise Magics to convert the data to STL, clean them up, and stack the model on the build platforms of our printers properly. We also optimized the structure in some parts by adding honeycomb structures to the inside, which strengthened the parts without adding weight. Because of the sheer size of the model, we also had to make sure we split the model in a way that would make it easy to seamlessly reassemble.

Finally, the files were ready to be sent to the printer. The only printers big enough for the job were our Mammoth Stereolithography printers, which can print models as large as an entire car dashboard! At around 1m70, this architectural model definitely needed all the build platform space it could get. Besides size, the advantage of using stereolithography technology is the level of detail that can be achieved. If you get a chance to see the model at the exhibition, you’ll notice that even the intricate woodwork detailing inside the rooms of the city hall is visible.

Finally, Mindscape 3D will also add lighting to the inside of the model and assemble it at the location of the exhibition in Antwerp. It will be unveiled on March 24 and will be on display for the next two years – be sure to check it out if you’re in the neighborhood!