3D printing gives designers a lot of freedom to create mass produced products, but instead of all looking the same, they can still contain differences. Using this feature of 3D printing, students and researchers at the University of Hong Kong created a pavilion called Ceramic Constellation Pavilion that is made with 3D printed bricks, each of which is unique.

The project aims to overcome the constraints of today’s architectural standardised mass production and was made in collaboration with Sino Group.

The load-bearing structure of the pavilion consists of timber, on which the bricks are stacked, without using some kind of mortar. The tower, which is 3.8 metres (12.5 feet) tall, consists of nearly 2000 terracotta bricks, which are each unique and different, creating a playful and twisted façade.

In total, around 700 kilograms (1543 pounds) of raw terracotta were robotically printed over a period of 3 weeks into bricks, which were fired at 1025 degrees Celsius (1877 degrees Fahrenheit). Each brick took 2 to 3 minutes to print.

Photos: Christian J. Lange (via Archdaily)