3D printing in architecture – BBA Studio showcased Infill Heritage, a 3D printed modular installation informed by the decorative language of 20th-century Milanese architecture at Milan Design Week.
Developed in collaboration with BBA Studio, an interior design company, and its in-house research lab BBOfficina, Infill Heritage reframes Milan’s rich architectural tradition through advanced additive manufacturing. The project draws inspiration from the city’s very own Piero Portaluppi, one of Italy’s most influential 20th-century architects and a defining figure in Milan’s architectural landscape.
The result is a contemporary spatial experience with modular 3d printed architecture panels arranged in a sweeping arc. Each modular unit features intricate geometry made possible with BigRep’s large-scale 3D printer the STUDIO and translucent PETG filament which allows light to pass through, emphasizing the installation’s visual depth.
Infill Heritage was originally showcased at Milan Design Week 2025, and part of it now resides at BBOfficina’s office in Via Ampère 60, Milan. With over twenty years of experience in luxury architecture and retail design and a multidisciplinary team of more than thirty architects, designers, and 3D specialists, BBA Studio has collaborated with several Italian Luxury brands and successfully opened thousands of boutiques around the world.
The 3D Printed Modular Installation - Infill Heritage
In 3D printing, infill patterns are commonly used as a utilitarian alternative to a solid interior. These lattice-like internal structures add structural integrity, optimize material use, significantly reduce the overall weight of printed objects, and speed up printing time.
The project Infill Heritage, as the name suggests, predominantly uses infill as both structural support and to reframe Piero Portaluppi’s signature ornamental motifs in a modern-day setting. Drawing from his realized and unrealized works, including the arch-shaped building on Via Salvini/Corso Venezia and his conceptual design for the S.T.T.S. building on Corso Sempione, BBA Studio uses parametric modeling and large-scale 3D printing to revive Portaluppi’s visual language.
“This fusion of technology, architecture, and lighting offers an immersive experience for clients, partners, and visitors alike. It sets the stage for future projects that balance innovation with respect for architectural tradition,”
– Barbara Ballabio and Andrea Burgio, co-founders of BBA Studio.
Going BIG with 3D Printing in Architecture
The STUDIO G2, BigRep’s large-format FFF printer, was the choice of machine for the project. The 3D printer’s generous build volume, precise extruders, and closed build chamber made it possible to produce intricate parts in large scale which were fundamental to the installation’s design.
BigRep’s PETG filament was chosen for its dimensional stability, minimal warping, and ease of printing. The material’s excellent surface quality and translucent nature made it ideal for capturing the project’s complex geometries while also bringing the intricate infill patterns to life with the lighting.
Collaboration at the Core
Infill Heritage came to fruition through the collaboration of several leading industry partners. iGuzzini for bespoke lighting design, Modar for structural engineering and installation, BigRep and MakeAdditive for large-format 3D printing expertise, and Superforma for sustainable post-installation recycling.
Superforma is set to recycle and repurpose part of the PETG prints from the installation for future design projects. This creates a closed-loop system, a circular economy where materials are reused, reducing waste and reinforcing a sustainable design ethos.
Reviving Heritage With Technology
Infill Heritage changes the narrative that legacy must be locked in stone or frozen in time. Instead, it explores how historical architecture can be reinterpreted with today’s tools and advanced materials. For BigRep, the project is proof that additive manufacturing is a machine for storytelling. 3D printers are not just prototyping tools but have the capabilities of a final production machine combining artistic expression, advanced technology, and environmental consciousness.
As Milan Design Week closed its doors, Infill Heritage is a reminder that when visionary architects meet the right tools, they don’t just preserve history, they build on it.
