Client: Citizen Robotics
Location: Detroit, MI
Project Type: Commercial / Landscape / Hardscape
Timeline: Â 2 Days Printing / 1 Days to Install (by Contractor)
The Challenge
Revitalizing small urban pockets requires more than just filling space; it requires creating an invitation for community interaction. Citizen Robotics, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing automated construction, sought to transform a small corner into a vibrant local gathering place. They needed seating solutions that were not only durable enough for public use but also unique enough to spark curiosity and conversation. The challenge was to design furniture that would integrate seamlessly with Citizen Robotics’ own vision for the space, creating a cohesive environment built entirely through additive manufacturing.
The Solution
Printera joined forces with Citizen Robotics to lead the design and fabrication of the site’s seating elements. Leveraging our expertise in furniture design, we created a series of custom concrete benches tailored specifically for the park’s layout. We manufactured these components at our facility, ensuring a high quality finish and structural longevity, before shipping them to site. This partnership allowed both organizations to play to their strengths; Printera focusing on the ergonomic and sculptural seating, and Citizen Robotics managing the site activation and integrating their own 3D-printed pavers.
The Outcome
The result is a fully realized “pocket park” that serves as a testament to the power of collaboration in the 3D construction industry. The installation demonstrates how different printed elements, vertical seating and horizontal pavers, can come together to create a unified, functional public space. Beyond providing a comfortable spot for locals to gather, this project serves as a proof-of-concept for municipalities, showing that durable, beautiful, and customized public infrastructure can be delivered efficiently through the partnership of specialized 3D printing teams.
