Garden Gateway
3D-Printed Gate Sculpture
3D Printed Garden Gateway with Colored Glass Panels
Garden Gateway is a 3D-printed sculptural threshold designed for an outdoor garden space. Inspired by the elegance of natural waveforms, the structure features a flowing lattice composed of interwoven curves derived from sine waves. These curves are arranged in a precise grid and then gently bent along a custom waveform, giving the sculpture its signature arched form. The pattern creates a sense of movement and rhythm, echoing the garden’s seasonal shifts and ever-changing light. Framed for stability and depth, Garden Gateway acts as both a passage and a presence—an architectural screen that invites visitors to step into a space of reflection and transformation.
Production
The sculpture was fabricated at Haddy’s microfactory using robotic 3D printing. Haddy is an advanced manufacturing company that combines AI-driven design tools with large-scale robotic additive systems. Their platform supports the production of complex, high-performance parts across a variety of materials. For this project, the sculpture was printed using recycled PETG reinforced with 30% glass fiber—a material chosen for its durability, structural strength, and sustainable profile. In addition to being made from recycled content, the material is fully recyclable, adding long-term value to the design. The object can be ground down and either reprinted in its original form or transformed into something entirely new.
As-Printed Gateway Sculpture
Each side of the sculpture measures approximately 5.5’ (1.6m) wide by 8’ (2.4m) tall. Thanks to Haddy’s high-speed robotic printing process, each panel takes just around two hours to fabricate from start to finish.
3D Printing Process
Right Side, As Printed
Straightened version of the gateway
Computational Design Process
The Garden Gateway was developed through a parametric workflow in Grasshopper for Rhino, enabling precise control over its form, structure, and fabrication logic. The design begins with a lattice of interwoven sine-derived curves arranged across a 2D grid in the XY plane. Adjustable parameters—such as amplitude, frequency, and domain range—shape the flow and spacing of these curves, creating a rhythmic pattern that responds fluidly to input values.
A custom waveform acts as a guiding base curve. Using Flow Along Curve, the entire lattice is deformed to follow this path, introducing a graceful spatial curvature while preserving the continuity of the internal pattern. Parametric offsets are applied across the structure to deepen the visual experience and lend a subtle dimensionality to the surface. These offsets vary the height and depth of the curves in relation to their position along the waveform, producing layered undulations that shift in tone and shadow throughout the day.
Following deformation and offsetting, the curves are extruded to add structural depth, and a perimeter frame is added to define the boundaries of the form. The result is a sculptural architectural screen—digitally grown, materially expressive, and ready for robotic 3D printing.
Credits
Design: Mikhail Mansion
Slicing: Dylan Hoskins
3D Printing: Haddy
