Andy McCourt 2016
Louis V pop up store
The pop-up store, in Westfield Sydney, was created by Omus using Massivit 1800 3D printers in just two weeks.
Melbourne-based large-format 3D printing company Omus has helped Louis Vuitton become the first business in the world to construct a 3D-printed point-of-sale location.
The pop-up store, in Westfield Sydney, was created by Omus using Massivit 1800 3D printers in just two weeks. Louis Vuitton’s dome-shaped shop’s roof is the 3D-printed part, and has been paired with elephant artworks. Once Omus had completed the production of the pop-up store, it took a further three days to erect.
Originally approaching the project with just one of Massivit’s large-format printers, Omus had to involve a second to complete the print in time. The 3D printing company, who were the first to install the Massivit 1800 in Australia, went to Sydney-based Composite Images, who had also recently installed one of the machines. Omus were also forced to recruit technicians from Israel to finish before the deadline.
The complete dome structure is made up of 48 sections with UV-curable material weighing 900 kilograms. Louis Vuitton’s logo was added to the pop-up store using vinyl cut lettering and the elephant floor graphics was digitally printed onto Tex Walk floor grade vinyl and laid down.
Robert Grosso, an Omus director, reflected that the project needed an uncompromising approach in order to complete the project in time. Many fabricators had said a pop-up store could not be constructed using conventional processes within the tight timeframe, but large-format 3D printing made it possible.
“Our team had the immense task of breaking down the customer’s raw concept, and working out how to build the structure, design each of the files for production, and then work with a machine that has never tackled a project like this in the world,” said Grosso. “I think what this ‘bleeding-edge’ exercise has proven is that oversize 3D printing can interpret and deliver a designer’s visions in a way that no other fabrication method can. Louis Vuitton’s boldness and faith also went a long way to making it a reality.”
Remaining at Westfield Sydney until December 18th, the pop-up store will be selling men’s clothing from the Louis Vuitton brand.