Reimagines traditional Japanese glue-less wood assembly with sawdust-based 3D printing.

The Warp is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Japanese technique of glue-less wood assembly, leveraging sawdust-based filament and 3D printing technology. This innovative project, the result of five years of research by Kei Atsumi, explores the potential of 3D printing in architecture and regenerative design. The pavilion features hundreds of uniquely 3D-printed, double-curved components assembled through an innovative joint system, showcasing the architectural possibilities of utilizing waste materials.

Challenging conventional construction models, The Warp envisions a "Digital Jomon Era," where architecture fosters mobility and flexibility, enabling social transformation. Future plans aim to expand this research into larger-scale structures that promote an adaptable way of life. The idea has also been adapted into interior design, merging sustainable resources with cutting-edge technology to creatively repurpose waste in modern architecture by reimagining traditional wood assembly, The Warp challenges the traditional and offers a forward-thinking solution that reduces waste and enhances the possibilities of contemporary architectural design. Part of Atsumi’s Tsuginote collection, earlier research prototypes have been exhibited in São Paulo, Kanazawa Shrine, and Tokyo’s Good Design Marunouchi.

About Mitsubishi Jisho Design:

Mitsubishi Jisho Design, founded in 1890, is the oldest architectural design firm in Japan. Specialising in services including urban planning, architectural design, consulting, renovation, construction management, and interior design, operating both domestically and internationally. The design team consists of architects Kei Atsumi, Motoya Iizawa and Vibha Krishna Kumar.