What it does
Green Facades is a modular facade system made from recycled brick dust using ceramic 3D printing. It enables urban greening on building surfaces, supports biodiversity, and promotes circular construction through sustainable material reuse.
Your inspiration
I have always been fascinated by the relationship between architecture and nature. Seeing how plants grow through cracks in the city inspired me to rethink how we design building surfaces. At the same time, I became interested in the potential of recycled materials in design. The idea for Green Facades came from combining these passions. I wanted to create a system that brings greenery into dense urban spaces while giving new value to discarded brick through ceramic 3D printing. It is a response to both ecological and material challenges in cities.
How it works
Green Facades is a modular system designed to green building surfaces using 3D-printed elements made from recycled brick dust. The modules are hollow ceramic units with an open surface texture that allows rainwater to enter and be stored inside. This moisture helps supply the plants while cooling the building surface. The modules can be arranged in different patterns and easily attached to new or existing walls without the need for mortar. Their shape is based on a square format that can be rotated and combined freely. The use of ceramic 3D printing allows for complex shapes that would be difficult to achieve with traditional methods. The system aims to reduce urban heat, support biodiversity and give a second life to a widely available construction waste material.
Design process
The design process began with research into existing facade greening systems and the challenges of applying them in dense urban areas. I identified key problems such as lack of space, complex installation and limited design flexibility. At the same time, I explored the potential of recycled brick dust as a sustainable material. This led to the idea of combining both themes into a modular ceramic facade system. I started by sketching possible shapes and testing standard brick dimensions to ensure compatibility with existing architecture. Early prototypes were 3D-printed using clay to test form and stability. Many failed due to structural weaknesses or inconsistent drying. I improved the geometry to reduce stress points and added internal support structures. Later, I developed a water-distributing inner pattern using a gyroid structure to allow rainwater to spread between modules. I printed larger modules with planting pockets and tested different surface textures for climbing support. Through iteration I optimized the design to be both functional and visually coherent. The final prototype demonstrates how greenery, water management and recycled material can work together in a modular facade system.
How it is different
My project stands out by turning a construction waste material into a visible and meaningful part of urban architecture. While many greening systems focus on technical performance, this project combines ecological function with a strong material and design identity. The use of recycled brick dust not only reduces waste but also creates a tactile, expressive surface that connects past and future. Each module is shaped to support plant growth, guide water, and integrate seamlessly into architectural structures. Unlike standardized systems, Green Facades is open to variation and adapts to different contexts. It is not just a product but a design principle that makes facades part of a living, evolving environment.
Future plans
The next step is to test the system on a real building facade to observe how the modules perform over time in outdoor conditions. I also plan to explore alternative production methods to improve scalability without losing the character of the design. Collaborating with material scientists and urban planners could help bring the project into public space. In the long term I hope my project inspires new ways of thinking about architecture not as a fixed surface but as a living interface between people and environment.
Awards
German Design Graduates (Nominated)
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