- 2026 Prize
- From Soft Decoration
Sérac: Robotic 3D-Printed Installation Translating Glacial Topographies into Interior Space
Project Description
Nature’s evolutionary forces create sublime landscapes of profound spatial presence that remain largely inaccessible. Sérac bridges this gap, translating glacial topographies into an immersive interior experience. By synthesizing the interplay of light, shadow, and crystalline geometry, the installation creates an atmosphere of "static movement," redefining the emotional potential of spatial boundaries within functional, human-scale environments.
The realization of these complex forms is rooted in the integration of computational design and robotic additive manufacturing. Utilizing a generative differential growth algorithm, the project simulates morphogenesis to generate high-resolution detail textures. The form is further materialized through large-scale robotic fabrication, integrating non-planar toolpath planning with discontinuous printing and adaptive feed-rate control. Additionally, topological optimization ensures structural integrity, enabling support-free and complex-curvature structures. The material strategy features a seamless gradient transition—from glass-fiber-reinforced PETG to high-transparency PETG—evoking the transition from snow-capped peaks to crystalline ice while balancing load-bearing performance with luminous expression.
Beyond aesthetics, Sérac demonstrates a moldless, zero-waste manufacturing paradigm. By establishing an integrated "algorithm-to-artifact" workflow, it provides a sustainable framework for future adaptive interior environments.
Dasong Wang, currently based in Nanjing,China, is a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the Laboratory for Architectural Algorithms and Applications (Lab. AAA), School of Architecture, Southeast University (SEU), and Founding Partner of i.Fusion Design & Manufacturing Technology Co.,Ltd.. He holds a Ph.D. and an M.Arch from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University), where he previously served as a sessional design studio tutor and as a doctoral researcher at the Tectonic Formation Lab. His research spans artificial intelligence, generative design, robotic fabrication, and mixed reality, with a core focus on the innovative application and cross-disciplinary integration of computational intelligence across multi-scale spatial design and construction processes.
Since 2019, he has led and participated in a series of pioneering robotic fabrication projects. His work has been widely exhibited at prestigious international events, including the World AI Conference (WAIC), TCT Asia (Additive Manufacturing Exhibition), NGV Melbourne Design Week, the Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture (UABB), the Shanghai Urban Space Art Season (SUSAS), DigitalFUTURES, Monash ADR, and CAADRIA.
Dedicated to bridging academia and industry, he leads joint research initiatives focusing on robotic additive manufacturing and novel, eco-friendly 3D printing materials, collaborating with industry leaders such as Polymaker and ZonePrint. Furthermore, he has designed and instructed cross-disciplinary workshops at world-renowned institutions, including RMIT, Southeast University, ETH Zürich, and Tongji University and has published over ten research papers in leading international journals and conference within the fields of digital design and fabrication.
