News
Forma Systems builds and structurally tests a shape-optimized prestressed floor slab in collaboration with J.P. Carrara & Sons
“The result: nearly 50% weight reduction compared to a standard 8" hollowcore plank, at only 6¾" deep. It was poured, cured, and load-tested in collaboration with J.P. Carrara & Sons, Inc., a leading precaster in the Northeast, and funded by a Massachusetts Clean Energy Center InnovateMass Grant. We developed this demonstration prototype using Cimbra, our generative optimization software. It iterates through thousands of code-compliant design combinations, optimizing against a manufacturer's actual product and material inventory to allocate material only where it's structurally needed.”
Forma Systems featured in MIT News: Feeding innovation to solve complex urban problems
“Caitlin Mueller, an associate professor in MIT’s departments of Architecture and Civil and Environmental Engineering, built a structure made of 3D printed bricks that captures the traditional style of Mexican construction, but with a fraction of the carbon footprint. Mueller has since taken the Sueños project further, co-founding a design and technology company (Forma Systems) focused on expanding access to high-quality, low-carbon affordable housing and building systems by reimagining widely available materials such as concrete and earth.”
MassCEC awards Forma Systems $290,300 InnovateMass grant to demonstrate its shape-optimized concrete floor systems
“InnovateMass offers grants and technical support for teams deploying new clean energy technologies or innovative combinations of existing technologies with strong commercialization potential. Including this latest round of awards, InnovateMass has provided over $23 million to 115 demonstration projects since 2013, leveraging more than $27 million in additional private and public funding.”
Forma Systems pitches at MIT delta v Investor Days
“From the dorm rooms to the labs, our talented founders and unique teams are solving the world’s toughest problems across many industries. Get a first look at the companies ready to take on these challenges. delta v teams seek funding to launch their ventures, and we want your help to turn bold ideas into thriving companies.”
Forma Systems pitches at MIT delta v Demo Day
“Demo Day showcases our passionate and talented student founders, featuring pitches of their innovative, world-changing companies solving the toughest problems across many industries.”
Forma Systems wins MIT Climate and Energy Prize Grand Prize
“The MIT Climate & Energy Prize (CEP), open to all students at universities around the world, is a platform for innovation, entrepreneurship, and new venture creation in the climate & clean energy space. CEP’s Grand Prize of $100,000 aims to catalyze a new generation of solutions that tackle the climate challenge and provide the mentor and network resources to help startups thrive. Past participants have raised in excess of $1.7B in venture funding.”
MIT Priscilla King Gray Public Service Center awards Forma Systems IDEAS grant
“To further their social innovation efforts from the MIT PKG IDEAS Social Innovation Challenge.”
Forma Systems wins MIT Climate and Energy Prize U.S. Semi-Final
“The MIT Climate & Energy Prize competition seeks to move the world closer to net zero carbon emissions by empowering ambitious entrepreneurs to solve the world’s most difficult climate-related challenges.”
Optimized clay block and concrete floor system launched with Ladrillera Mecanizada
The redesigned clay block saves 16% of material compared to the standard clay block, resulting in cost and carbon emission savings.
Forma Systems Mextrópoli prototype featured in Archinect
“MIT Mextrópoli installation provides a critical exploration into the use of sustainable construction materials.”
Designboom features Forma Systems Mextrópoli prototype
“Site-responsive pavilion in mexico merges traditional papercraft, 3D-printing + recycling”
ArchDaily features Forma Systems Mextrópoli prototype
By optimizing the shape of the prefabricated reinforced concrete joists, the volume of concrete and the resulting environmental impact are reduced by 50%.
Sueños Con Tierra/Concreto pavilion featured in Arquine
“Sueños Con Tierra/Concreto combines local construction techniques with new digital manufacturing technologies, resulting in a pavilion where industry, social enterprise, and academia collaborate as a model towards a more sustainable built environment.”