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Hey, guess what? The Paris 2024 Olympics are rolling out the world's first 3D printed skatepark! How cool is that? Saint-Gobain, a construction company, made it happen. This 400m² skatepark opened on July 18th at Esplanade de Paris La Défense and it's all about inclusivity. They brought in artists, construction experts, and even pro skateboarder Vincent Matheron to make sure it’s accessible for everyone, including wheelchair users, with some help from the non-profit Pratikable.
So, here’s the scoop on the tech side. They used large-format 3D printing to create eight concrete modules for the park. We’re talking:
Everything was custom-designed and printed at Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix’s facility in Eindhoven. Peter Paul Cornelissen, the 3D Business Unit Manager at Weber Beamix, mentioned that 3D printing cuts down on environmental impact, boosts creativity, speeds up production, and offers awesome design freedom.
“These 3D printed concrete modules are beautifully crafted. The surface is perfectly suited to skateboarding, neither too slippery nor too rough,” said Hortense, who co-founded the Concrete Surf Riders Paris club.
The skatepark is made for everyone, from newbies to pros. The ramps' slopes work great for all types of boards, including surfskates and skateboards. Hortense added, “The slope of the ramps works with all types of boards: surfskate, skateboard… and makes the park accessible to all levels, from beginner to advanced. The pinball print adds a playful touch, without detracting from the quality of the ground.”
Architect and skateboarder Aubry Ramillon was a big part of bringing the initial ideas to life. Plus, there’s a cool mural by Olympic handball champ Luc Abalo featuring Team Saint-Gobain athletes. The skatepark will be open until August 11, 2024, and after the Olympics, it’s going to be moved somewhere else in the Paris area.
This 3D printed skatepark at the Paris 2024 Olympics is seriously groundbreaking. It's a perfect mix of sports and construction innovation, showing what’s possible when experts, artists, and athletes team up. And the best part? This inclusive, state-of-the-art skatepark will keep on serving the Paris community long after the games are over.
