Deep in the Beskidy mountains you still get the chance to see the modern technology of 3D printing.
This time, together with a group of volunteers united by a common goal – to helped save forgotten heritage.
The old rustic church was one of many similar buildings left abandoned in old villages somewhere in the forests of Bieszczady mountains.
Ruined and too expensive to be revitalized by the money from the local authorities it was decaying with its 19 B.C. beauty fading day after day.
Many believed that the building would share the fate of many similar churches in the region.
However, if it were so, we wouldn’t be writing about it now, so…
It all started with an idea.
Łukasz Pałczyński, a student from the Warsaw University of Technology shared his idea with Arkadiusz Krężlik and Kacper Radziszewski from Architektura Parametryczna who helped the concept become alive.
Mentioning Łukasz, we must add that it wasn’t his first project of such kind as one year earlier he chose the old church in Beskidy to present the installation of the modern buildings.
Let’s start from the very beginning.
Łukasz was one of the Design students, totally engaged in graphic design and painting.
He would probably never think of exhibiting his art in such a foreign and unusual place as a small church in Baligród.
The project appeared to be a success, so Łukasz decided to do this again, but this time with some different people and a slightly modified concept.
3 Guys and a Printer
He was also successful in picking the right company, as his choice was two architects from Architektura Parametryczna.
Arkadiusz and Kacper who deal with the parametric designs and numerical architecture were enthusiastic about the idea, and joined their forces to collect the sources for their project.
After a lengthy discussion and some heavy brainstorming, they decided to choose 3D printing to go with the old traditional church to make a bold statement.
Their choice was obviously 3D printing.
As their resources were not sufficient for the project they wanted to complete, they decided to go for social fundraising.
However, 99% of the people who use such platforms didn’t ask for money.
Instead, they turned to all the people who possess 3D printers.
The Kickstarter campaign appeared to be really fruitful as it resulted with lots of backers who decided to share their skills and devices for the common goal.
Of course, Zortrax couldn’t miss such opportunity, and represented by one of their official resellers (3D Phoenix) decided to print the models in the Zortrax Store in Warsaw.
After forming the right alliances, the entire process could start.
Thankfully, they were equipped with Zortrax M200 3D printers that helped them to 3D print (500 pieces) the high-quality models fast and almost handsfree.
Getting the models was only the first part of the project.
Another challenge they had to face was painting and installing the whole construction inside the church itself.
The good-quality and smooth surface of models, made on Zortrax, was guaranteed. Without getting into too many details, the whole process lasted about 2,5 months but the final effect was entirely stunning.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed
It’s really striking that in the middle of nothing, surrounded by the undisturbed nature you can find the place created by the joined forces of people and technology.
Complemented by some classical music it can turn to many senses and bring the audience into an unusual mood.