Case Study #2: 3D Printer Helps Build Success of Firm

Paul Davis & Partners
London, England

London-based Paul Davis + Partners is an established firm of architects and urban designers. It has designed both commercial and residential projects across London, the Far East, Hong Kong, and Russia. Founded over 13 years ago, the firm's flagship design is the Duke of York Square off the King's Road in Chelsea, London. It is the first and largest new public square in central London for more than a century.

The Challenges

By the nature of its profession, Paul Davis + Partners is busy juggling multiple projects and time constraints are often an issue. Its clients are demanding more projects to be turned around at an increasing pace, which means that the firm had to reassess some of the ways it was working to meet deadlines. For example, until quite recently, the more traditional methods of hand-made cardboard or balsa wood models were being built at the end of the design process so as not to hold up the project. Having visual models available only at the end of the process meant that most of the projects were relying solely on drawings and therefore missing many of the benefits that 3D models could offer.

“It is much more beneficial for 3D models to be used throughout the design process in order to assess the structure and shape of the building. A tangible model can help us to determine where sunlight will hit the building, for example, and to consider the spacing between buildings, ensuring that the client and architects are both happy with the end result,” says David Hoggard, partner and architect at Paul Davis + Partners.

Outsourcing its model-building was one option the firm explored, however past experience had shown this method to be too costly and less flexible than having their own facilities in-house. Instead, Paul Davis + Partners turned toward technology and made the choice to invest in a 3D printer which would easily produce a highly durable model in a matter of hours, rather than the days or weeks that it would take to build one by hand.

The Solution

The firm selected a 3D printer for its precise detailing and use of ABS materials. The other solutions they looked at did not have the high-quality material properties or accuracy that the selected printer offered. Since its arrival, the 3D printer has been continuously running, with the exception of one week's rest. It has enabled models to be constructed throughout the design process, helping Paul Davis + Partners to be more creative and giving them the freedom to test their designs throughout the initial phases of the projects. There is no substitute for the tactile and visual feedback a physical model can provide—and with a 3D printer the company can create both simple and complex models in real space and proportionately scaled. Hoggard explains: “The printer has saved us a huge amount of time and has given us the opportunity to take on more projects. It recently made a project in the Far East possible for us. We were asked to come up with a design and produce a 1:500 model within the space of four weeks. It would have been impossible to meet the deadline without the 3D printer as outsourcing to a model making company would take two weeks at a minimum. Using the 3D printer is like having an extra member of staff.” Hoggard continues: “Our clients are giving us less and less time to develop projects and in the Far East, they tend to work 24 hour days, so UK architects have to be incredibly efficient to compete. The 3D printer allows us to communicate and collaborate without ambiguity and the ABS models enable everyone to review concepts accurately.”

The Results

“I'm constantly amazed at how good the printer is and the detail it can achieve. We weren't quite prepared for the results it can produce” says Hoggard. “The implementation process went smoothly, delivery of the printer was taken in the morning and by lunchtime, it was up and running with only half an hour of training time required.” The 3D printer is a good illustration of Paul Davis + Partners investing in new and innovative technology and is proving to be a good method of recruitment for the firm. It helps to attract young architects who see the potential that the technology can bring to the profession. In the future, Hoggard aims to keep the printer as busy as possible, changing the culture of the office to use the printer rather than keeping designs on paper, which will allow Paul Davis + Partners to continue to grow its business. Hoggard concludes, “Eventually the 3D printer will overtake the cardboard model. In a few years' time, more and more companies will have one and if they don't, it will be like walking into an office and there being no photocopier.”