The BMW Welt exhibition space in Munich, Germany, has a stunning new blue and green terrazzo floor to showcase its BMW 7 series.
BMW hired Patricia Urquiola, a renowned creative from Spain, to design the space. Aectual, a Dutch flooring brand, produced 322 square-metre floor design, which is held within a 3D printed frame.
Urquiola’s inspiration for the design was BMW’s M8 Gran Coupe concept car, which BMW designed with “the colour gradients of the mystic and poetic Northern Lights” in mind. ‘Freedom’, what Urquiola felt best describes luxury, also inspired her.
To design the terrazzo floor, she used photos which BMW had taken of the coupe against a frozen lake.
“Urquiola used her surface design to translate, extremely intuitively, the apparently fractured ice surface, green colour (which appears to change in tone against different lights) and Northern Lights,” said BMV in a press release.
The space, which doesn’t just display cars but also has lounge areas, a restaurant and event spaces, has Urquiola’s original artworks on display too. It is open to the public to enjoy.
https://youtu.be/Zp8CAeQ0Dt8
3D Printing a Frame for a Stunning Northern Lights-Inspired Floor
To create the frame for the floor, Aectual used robotic technology to 3D print a bioplastic frame. The print came in at just a few centimeters tall.
After the frame was 3D printed, it was transported to the BMW Welt exhibition space where it was laid. Finally, a bio-based binding agent and chips of marble were added.
The floor was polished to create a shiny result with many geometric and freeform shapes.
“I liked the idea of applying a fresh technique to create what you might call new territory within the space,” said Urquiola. “So, I used these filters in the metal mass [of the building] to incorporate a kind of movement. It was a totally new and exciting way of thinking about a space for me.”
For more on 3D printing and design, check out these stories:
- BMW Mini Commemorates Royal Wedding with Unique Car Design
- How to Hire the Best 3D Designer for Your Needs
- David Bowie Tribute Car: A 3D Printing First
Source: Dezeen, press release
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