LFAM Transforms Recycled Composites Into Striking Restaurant Interiors

Updated on June 15, 2026 • 4 min read

Large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) is increasingly moving beyond industrial tooling and into architecture and interior design.

A recent project by Barcelona-based 3D printing service bureau Lamáquina demonstrates how robotic composite printing can create customized, sustainable interior spaces without traditional molds or labor-intensive fabrication methods.

For the Odachi Japanese restaurant in Kuwait, Lamáquina produced a series of large-scale architectural panels using recycled composite materials and computational design techniques, showcasing a new application for additive manufacturing in commercial interiors.

Bringing Japanese Inspiration Into Physical Form

The project involved the production of 38 custom wall and ceiling panels designed specifically for Odachi.

Working alongside architect Seba Orabi, the design drew inspiration from iconic elements of Japanese culture, including:

• the flowing movement of traditional Odachi swords,
• Katsushika Hokusai’s famous artwork The Great Wave off Kanagawa,
• organic wave-like geometries found in nature.

The resulting installation creates a continuous ripple effect throughout the restaurant’s interior.

Rather than relying on repeated decorative elements, each panel contributes to an interconnected visual experience.

Computational Design Meets LFAM

The panel geometry was generated using reaction-diffusion algorithms, a computational design approach often used to mimic naturally occurring growth patterns.

This method enabled designers to create:

• complex organic textures,
• continuous transitions between panels,
• non-repetitive geometries,
• large-scale visual fluidity.

Once assembled, the individual pieces combine into a seamless three-dimensional wave pattern extending across both walls and ceilings.

Recycled Composite Materials at Architectural Scale

Lamáquina manufactured the panels using:

• recycled PETG,
• reinforced with 30% glass fiber.

Some individual panels exceeded 2 meters in length, demonstrating the capability of LFAM systems to produce architectural components far larger than conventional desktop 3D printers can accommodate.

The material choice offered several benefits:

• lightweight construction,
• improved stiffness,
• dimensional stability,
• reduced environmental impact through recycled feedstocks.

Importantly, the natural layered appearance created during the extrusion process was intentionally preserved.

Rather than sanding away the print texture, the designers used it to enhance the visual impression of flowing waves.

Eliminating Molds and Intermediate Tooling

One of the most significant advantages of the project was the direct-to-part production approach.

Traditional fabrication of customized architectural elements often requires:

• molds,
• CNC tooling,
• multiple production stages,
• extensive manual finishing.

LFAM eliminated these intermediate steps.

The robotic printing process enabled Lamáquina to move directly from digital design files to finished components, reducing complexity and allowing each panel to remain unique without introducing substantial additional costs.

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This article is developed based on real engineering experience, machine testing data, and practical production knowledge from Jota Machinery’s work in advanced composite manufacturing.

All technical explanations—including material structure, processing methods, and performance characteristics—are reviewed and verified by our engineering team to ensure accuracy and real-world relevance.

To improve clarity and structure, AI-assisted tools may have been used during content organization and language refinement. However:

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Editorial Perspective

The Odachi installation illustrates an important shift occurring within additive manufacturing.

For years, LFAM has been associated primarily with:

• aerospace tooling,
• marine molds,
• industrial prototypes,
• manufacturing fixtures.

Projects such as this demonstrate that architecture may become another major growth market.

Architectural applications increasingly demand:

• mass customization,
• sustainable materials,
• rapid production,
• geometric freedom.

These requirements align closely with LFAM’s strengths.

As recycled composite materials and robotic printing technologies mature, the distinction between industrial manufacturing and architectural fabrication continues to blur.

Outlook

The Odachi project highlights how LFAM is evolving from a prototyping technology into a production method capable of delivering high-value, design-driven applications.

By combining recycled glass fiber-reinforced polymers, computational design, and mold-free robotic manufacturing, Lamáquina has demonstrated a new pathway for creating customized interior environments at scale.

As architects seek greater creative freedom and the construction industry pursues more sustainable manufacturing approaches, large-format additive manufacturing could play an increasingly important role in shaping the next generation of built environments.