Caracol, an Italian firm specializing in robotic large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) solutions, recently showcased its innovative 3D printing technology at the 2022 Milan Design Week. The company’s HeronAM platform was used to fabricate a 3D printed sailboat hull, and this year, it played a key role in creating an immersive installation that explores sustainable furniture design and manufacturing. This installation, called PORTAL, was a collaboration between Caracol, 3D printed furniture production company Decibel, British industrial designer Charles Birshaw, and Vizcom, which develops AI-powered creative tools.
- PORTAL is a living design installation that showcases the potential of circular production models, AI-assisted tools, and robotic AM in reducing waste and lowering production costs.
- The installation was set up at the exhibition concept Alcova, within the abandoned SNIA factory, to create a striking juxtaposition between the raw, post-industrial space and the fluid-looking chairs.
- Visitors could witness Caracol’s HeronAM hard at work during daily live 3D printing sessions, including real-time production of the winning design from Vizcom’s global AI furniture design competition.
The creation of PORTAL was a collaborative effort between multiple partners, each contributing their expertise to bring this innovative concept to life. Decibel, with its 3D printed furniture production capabilities, worked closely with Caracol to develop the installation. Charles Birshaw, a renowned British industrial designer, created ten original chair designs using Vizcom’s AI-powered design tools. These chairs were then fabricated in Italy and the U.S. using Caracol’s proprietary HeronAM platform.
| Designers and Their Designs | Designs |
|---|---|
| Charles Birshaw | MONARK Chair, KAVE Chair, and CONTOUR Collection |
| Deniz Aktay (Vizcom Competition Winner) | Various designs |
PORTAL highlights the potential of combining robotic AM, circular materials, and AI to create more sustainable furniture design and manufacturing processes. By using sustainable and recycled materials, Caracol’s HeronAM platform can efficiently and precisely print large-scale, complex geometries with minimal environmental impact.
“PORTAL is about breaking down barriers—between concept and creation, continents and collaborators. With Vizcom and Caracol, we’re showing what’s possible when designers are empowered by access to technology.”
— Adam Hecht, Co-Founder of Decibel
As Caracol CEO, Francesco De Stefano, explained, “Our technology enables localized, on-demand production with total design freedom and drastically reduced waste.”
Visitors to PORTAL could see the beauty of 3D printed furniture firsthand, with the installation showcasing ten original chairs designed by top global designers, including Karim Rashid, Andrew Schainker, and Charles Birshaw. The CLOUD Chair by Willo, with its flowing design, was a standout, evoking memories of carefree childhood days. While comfort was not explicitly mentioned, the sculptural and functional chairs seemed to defy conventional furniture design expectations.
During the Milan Design Week, visitors had the opportunity to witness the HeronAM platform in action, witnessing real-time production of the winning design from Vizcom’s global AI furniture design competition.
- Circular production models
- AI-assisted tools
- Robotic AM
- Sustainable and recycled materials
As the creative team behind PORTAL looked to the future, they emphasized the potential of technology to empower designers and move beyond the constraints of conventional manufacturing. By combining innovative technologies and design approaches, they created a truly immersive and engaging installation that showcases the possibilities of sustainable furniture design and manufacturing.
As Adam Hecht, Co-Founder of Decibel, put it, “PORTAL is about breaking down barriers—between concept and creation, continents and collaborators.
