Pavilion exemplifies how modern technology can breathe new life into ancient traditions, offering a glimpse of a future where innovation and sustainability are intertwined
The Warp, a pavilion designed by Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) architects Kei Atsumi and Motoya Iizawa and Mitsubishi Jisho Design Asia Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) architect Vibha Krishna Kumar, stole the spotlight at this year’s Dubai Design Week, which ran from November 5 – 10, 2024 at Dubai Design District (d3). This groundbreaking pavilion fuses ancient Japanese carpentry techniques with cutting-edge 3D-printing technology. Specially curated events for this exhibit included a tea ceremony with a Japanese tea master and workshops on 3D printing.
The Warp takes inspiration from centuries of Japanese carpentry while incorporating 3D printing technology to create a seamless blend of old and new. The pavilion offers an immersive tea experience that transports visitors from a serene Japanese garden to the dynamic future city of Dubai. This journey is reflected in the organic, twisting curves of the pavilion’s structure, symbolizing a leap across time and space. With its quiet elegance, the approach through a traditional Japanese garden leads visitors into a compact space that evokes the depth of Japanese aesthetics.
A timeless fusion of tradition and innovation
Exploring time and innovation through space, the pavilion’s intricate organic curves, crafted through advanced digital programming, create a dynamic space symbolizing the leap from ancient traditions to future innovations. According to Atsumi, the pavilion takes visitors on a journey across time and cultures – from the age-old traditions of Japan to Dubai, a city of the future and hub of constant innovation – through a small 32-square-meter space encompassing a tea house and a Japanese garden.
Traditional Japanese aesthetics are palpable as visitors walk through the garden at the front of the pavilion. Upon entering the tea house through the nijiriguchi (traditional small, low entrance), visitors are immediately immersed in a wood space characterized by organic twisting curves that represent a leap through space and time, creating the feeling of being warped across centuries. In the company of the tea master, visitors were able to enjoy a first-of-its-kind experience, savoring tea while reflecting on the fusion of tradition and innovation as they gaze out at the futuristic city of Dubai.
The power of 3D printing and Regenerative Wood
At the core of The Warp is a groundbreaking fusion of 3D-printed wood panels and traditional Japanese joinery. The pavilion is made of 900 uniquely shaped 3D-printed panels that reuse sawdust, a waste product of wood processing. The panels are connected using traditional Japanese joinery techniques, allowing for easy assembly on-site without the need for nails or other metal fittings. The design also makes it possible to exhibit the pavilion in other locations in the future.
This production system, which Mitsubishi Jisho Design calls Regenerative Wood, adds value to waste produced during woodworking. Through design, the system reintegrates the waste into the forestry industry, which produces raw materials. The panels represent a forward thinking approach to architecture, where wood waste is transformed into high-value components. This regenerative process not only reduces waste but reinvigorates the forestry industry, thereby reinforcing a truly circular economy.
The benefits of Regenerative Wood
The Warp is not only a symbol of cultural fusion but also a showcase of the many benefits of the Regenerative Wood system. This system is driven by the concept of a circular economy and sustainability, reimagining the lifecycle of wood materials.
High precision in crafting: 3D printing technology allows for unparalleled accuracy in the creation of complex forms, enabling designers to push the boundaries of traditional carpentry.
Unique components: Thanks to digital programming, every panel and joint in The Warp is unique, reflecting the precision and customization possible with 3D printing.
Global accessibility: With desktop 3D printers available worldwide, the Regenerative Wood system can be used anywhere. Mitsubishi Jisho Design’s digital models enable a truly global construction process without the constraints of language barriers.
Ease of assembly and disassembly: The design of the joinery system, derived from traditional Japanese techniques, allows even non-experts to easily assemble and dismantle the pavilion. This flexibility makes it ideal for exhibitions and global events.
True circular economy: The use of wood waste, such as sawdust, to create new 3D printing materials ensures that every step of the production process contributes to sustainability, reducing waste while supporting the forestry industry.
Efficient transportation: The small, standardized components of The Warp can be packed into regular sized
boxes, making transportation simple and cost-effective.
The market potential of Regenerative Wood
As research on reducing the environmental impact of building construction and speeding up construction timelines advances, 3D-printing technology is attracting attention as an innovative approach to construction. The Regenerative Wood system attempts to reduce, reuse, and recycle resources through the use of sawdust – a by-product of woodcutting operations – to make a filament for 3D-printing construction materials, thereby converting waste into a regenerative material.
To realize increased wood construction and wood-based architecture in cities and buildings without wasting
resources, the system utilizes the following process for producing wooden 3D-printed buildings. The entire production flow is designed to be environmentally friendly – for example, trees in the vicinity of the project
site are used to allow for reduced CO2 emissions during the transportation of raw materials, and the 3D-printed components are made small enough to be easily transported via standard shipping and assembled by hand.
Regenerative Wood, as featured in The Warp, holds remarkable potential beyond the realm of architecture. Its fusion of 3D printing and recycled wood waste enables the creation of sustainable, bespoke designs across a variety of sectors, including interior design, furniture, and art installations. This innovative material allows for intricate, high-precision forms, offering designers the flexibility to produce unique, eco-friendly pieces. Whether it’s custom furniture, interior features, or sculptural art, Regenerative Wood offers a compelling, sustainable alternative that merges creativity with environmental responsibility.
A new frontier in design
“The Warp is more than just a pavilion; it is a statement about the future of architecture and design. By blending ancient carpentry with modern 3D printing, we have created a new language of architectural expression. The pavilion demonstrates that technology can breathe new life into age-old traditions, offering a vision of a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. Through the Regenerative Wood system, The Warp symbolizes both cultural continuity and groundbreaking sustainability, paving the way for the future of regenerative, eco-friendly construction,” concluded Atsumi.
Astumi.
