Turning coffee waste into 3D-printed architectural forms

RMIT

RMIT researchers have turned coffee waste into 3D-printed architectural forms, opening a potential pathway towards more sustainable, low-carbon construction. The project brings together scientific, architectural and engineering expertise.

In Melbourne, coffee is a popular part of everyday life, yet the large amounts of spent grounds generated are usually discarded. The multidisciplinary team investigated how this coffee waste could be repurposed and used to enhance architectural materials and design.

Led by Distinguished Professor Baohua Jia from RMIT’s School of Science and Dr Nic Bao from the School of Architecture and Urban Design, the team developed a biodegradable 3D-printing filament that used coffee waste as a base.

The resulting architectural designs developed through the Waste to Form project were showcased at Melbourne Design Week, attracting positive feedback for their beautiful design and scent.

/RMIT University News Release. View in full here.