Advancing Additive Manufacturing and Healthcare
For Materialise, a global pioneer in 3D printing, the expansion of its North American footprint represented more than just additional space. The company needed a facility that could accelerate innovation in additive manufacturing while supporting its growing role in healthcare personalization. The challenge was to create a highly technical environment capable of housing advanced metal printing equipment, rigorous post-processing workflows, and certified cleanroom spaces, yet do so within a compact footprint that balanced precision, adaptability, and sustainability. Working in partnership with Oliver / Hatcher Construction, the new 10,500-square-foot building emerged as both a showcase for cutting-edge technology and a platform for future growth.
The building’s centerpiece is a 3D metal additive printing lab, configured to accommodate state-of-the-art printers capable of producing highly complex geometries with remarkable precision. Unlike conventional labs, the space is designed with adaptability in mind. Its modular planning and robust infrastructure make it possible to integrate the next generation of additive equipment without disrupting operations. The lab’s environment balances technical rigor with openness: exposed structure and clearly organized systems reflect the building’s high-performance character, while ample daylight provides a sense of connection to the outside.
Directly adjacent, the post-processing metal lab supports the second stage of production. Here, components are refined and tested against the highest standards, with specialized equipment for machining, polishing, and verifying structural integrity. This adjacency between additive and post-processing functions creates a seamless workflow, reducing handling and enabling faster cycles of innovation.
Precision reaches its peak in the 500-square-foot ISO 7 certified cleanroom which provides air cleanliness levels of a maximum of 10,000 particles (≥0.5µm) per cubic foot and a minimum of 60 air changes per hour.. Designed as a crisp, white volume, the space is engineered to safeguard against even the smallest contaminants. Within this controlled environment, highly sensitive manufacturing for healthcare applications can take place with confidence, reinforcing Materialise’s role in delivering safe, reliable, and personalized medical solutions.
Sustainability was an equal priority to innovation. HED’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural engineering teams worked together to integrate upgraded HVAC systems that balance comfort with efficiency, a closed-loop deionized water system that reduces waste, and acid water retrieval systems that protect the environment while supporting critical lab processes. These systems are hidden from view yet essential to the building’s performance, demonstrating how invisible infrastructure contributes to visible impact.
The architectural expression of the building reflects this blend of precision and responsibility. The exterior presents a clean, modern identity, while the interior is organized to place technical processes on display. Visitors entering the facility can see into the heart of the additive labs, where printers and technicians work in carefully orchestrated environments. Exposed ceilings and clearly routed utilities reveal the complexity of the infrastructure without overwhelming the space, turning building systems into part of the educational and experiential fabric.
Every element—structural bays, lab adjacencies, material choices—was considered not just for today’s needs but for the flexibility required in tomorrow’s rapidly evolving field of additive manufacturing.
The Materialise North America facility stands as a highly focused yet deeply ambitious project: a place where advanced technology, sustainability, and design excellence come together to fuel the next generation of industrial and healthcare innovation.
