XISUI Design has created Boulder Park, an impressive 3D concrete-printed playground in Ji’nan, reports China Architecture News. The company has demonstrated a new approach to integrating digital fabrication into public landscape design. The 13,000-square-metre park is a blend of massive natural boulders and intricately formed concrete structures that are created with next-gen 3D printing techniques.
At the heart of the park is a children’s area built with 3D-printed caverns, slides, and interactive zones. “In landscape projects, outdoor durability, the ability to achieve organic shapes, and cost savings in labor are primary considerations,” said Hu Yihao, lead designer at XISUI. “3D printing technology, with its significant advantages in these aspects, has become an ideal choice.”
The monolithic installations in Boulder Park are constructed by Guanli Intelligent Technology, who used robotic arms extruding concrete in precise layers to 3D print the innovative structures. This technique enables the design of free-form, canyon-like shapes difficult to achieve with conventional methods. Not only does the layered rock texture mimic natural stone, it also provides integrated play features like tunnels, climbing zones, and water elements.
With concrete exceeding 50 MPa strength, which surpasses the standard C40 grade, these 3D printed elements are both safe and durable. “The technology allowed us to blend form and function, art and engineering,” added Yihao.
Boulder Park is an exciting example of how 3D concrete printing can transform public spaces with a mix of environmental awareness, community play, and construction innovation.
