For my upcycling project, I plan on created an art piece using FDM 3D printing. I have my own printer and want to use it more to create interesting art pieces, and this project is a great excuse to do more of this. My concept for this project is to design, print, and paint a structure that is an original design but based on classic Japanese architecture like a pagoda. I want to create my design in Solidworks given my familiarity with it, so the details and design will remain relatively simple, but I expect to still be able to create something to be proud of. The following picture taken by AXP Photography (1) demonstrates many of the features I will be aiming to include in my piece.

It has recognizable roof styling, with upward curves at the corners, with rounded features perpendicular to the edge of the roof distributed horizontally. Also noticeable here is the generous usage of red, which is common in much of this traditional architecture. For my piece, I plan on incorporating black, white, and red into the color scheme. I think my piece will focus on a black and white theme with red accents, but this could change.

Another similar structure can be seen below, with a multi-storied pagoda styled tower. This photo was taken by Evan Pike in 2015 (2), a pagoda with Nachi Falls in the background. With my project, I plan to incorporate multiple stories into my building like this.

 

Japanese architecture often makes use of large open doorways, along with adjacent structures like Torii gates, structures which mark a boundary between a sacred space and an ordinary space. A photo of one used in the Encyclopedia Britannica (3) is shown below, where one would pass through as they ascended to the sacred space beyond it.

I plan to create a piece that combines many of these elements, while also being unique with my design, colors, and subtleties. I’m sure I won’t be able to capture everything that makes these types of Japanese structures so beautiful, but I hope it is nonetheless. The featured image (4), is actually from a temple in Hawaii, the Byodo-In Temple, yet captures the beauty of Japanese architecture extremely well. I hope to visit Japan at some point in the future!

Sources:

(1) AXP Photography, 2024, https://parametric-architecture.com/japanese-architecture/

(2) Evan Pike, 2015, https://www.japanphotoguide.com/2015/nachi-taisha-of-kumano-kodo/

(3) Encyclopædia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/torii#/media/1/599912/68897

(4) Byodo-In Temple Hawaii, 2025, https://byodo-in.com/explore/#photo

2 Comments. Leave new

  • Cecelia Shoenfeld
    January 31, 2025 12:09 pm

    Hi Keith! This seems like such an awesome aesthetic to focus on for your upcycling project. Like Sylvia said above, you really have a clear vision of the aesthetic as a whole and how you are going to apply it to your project.

    What scale are you planning to use for this piece? I can picture it either as one bigger structure with many more intricate elements, or going the opposite route and being many smaller structures that form a little village together. Either way this is going to be a super cool project, good luck!

  • Keith –
    I think this has the potential to be an incredibly beautiful piece! You seem to have a very clear vision of all the elements of Japanese architecture that inspire you that you want to include in your design.
    If it is not too difficult to print, think it would be really cool to see some nature elements around the structure like ginko trees, koi ponds or rock gardens.
    When working in solidworks, do you start with a hand drawn sketch to help you get started, or is there some digital way to come up with a rough draft? As a novice to that technology, I would be interested to know.

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