3D-printed garden project in Borgerhout
A reference project for architects and landscape architects
In a compact urban garden in Borgerhout, we realized an exceptional 3D printing project in concrete, based on a unique design by landscape architect Dirk Janssens. This project serves as a pioneering application: to our knowledge, this is one of the first – possibly even the first – applications in Europe where 3D-printed concrete elements were created in a private city garden..
The project demonstrates how 3D printing, design freedom, and thoughtful logistics open new possibilities for architects and landscape architects, even in locations where traditional techniques struggle.
Design freedom without compromises
The design starts from a strong spatial and architectural concept, with flowing lines, integrated functions, and a clear coherence between form and use. Thanks to 3D concrete printing, these shapes could be realized directly from the design..
For designers, this means:
* complete freedom of form
* customization down to the element level
* complex geometries without formwork logic
Each element was specifically designed and printed for this garden.
The key to this project: a portable and flexible printer
This project could only be realized thanks to our unique 3D concrete printer, which is portable, modular, and flexible. Unlike traditional, fixed printing installations, our printer can be adapted to the context of the project and deployed in locations with limited access..
The portability of the system made it possible to:
* to work without a crane or heavy equipment
* to print in a complex urban environment
* to provide custom solutions in locations where traditional concrete production is impossible
This flexibility forms a crucial link between design ambition and feasibility.
Working in an urban context without a crane
A crucial challenge in this project was the accessibility of the garden. There was no rear access and no possibility to work with a crane or heavy equipment..
Therefore, the entire project was approached from a logistics-first perspective:
- all components were supplied by the house
- transport occurred through doors and over stairs
- no form of external lifting technique was used
Elements that would be impossible to fit through a door opening in traditional concrete production were here divided into smart, printable segments.
Modular segmentation as a design tool
The strength of this project lies not only in 3D printing but especially in the approach. By considering early in the design how components are divided and assembled, new possibilities for concrete in hard-to-reach places emerge..
The various elements were carefully and invisibly assembled on-site, ensuring that the whole remains both technically strong and visually calm, with attention to detail, sustainability, and appearance..
For architects and landscape architects, this opens up perspectives for:
* city gardens and courtyard gardens
* renovation and repurposing projects
* parcels with limited access
* designs that go beyond standard prefab
3D printing as a strategic design tool
This project in Borgerhout demonstrates that 3D printing is not merely an execution method, but a strategic design tool. It allows designers to embrace complexity without experiencing logistical or technical constraints as a hindrance..
Collaborations like these demonstrate how architecture, landscape design, and digital production can reinforce each other in innovative, realistic projects.
Curious about what this approach can mean for your design practice?
Or do you want to assess whether a specific project is suitable for 3D concrete printing?
Feel free to contact us. We like to collaborate from the very first sketch