LANXESS pigments colour 3D-printed concrete at Venice Biennale

Specialty chemicals company LANXESS has supplied its premium Bayferrox pigments for a 3D-printed concrete sculpture showcased at the Venice Architecture Biennale.

The sculpture, titled “Phoenix”, was designed by architectural researchers at ETH Zurich and manufactured using robotic 3D printing. It demonstrates how colour can be integrated into innovative concrete construction methods, combining aesthetic appeal with sustainability.

LANXESS’s iron oxide pigments were used to colour the concrete during the printing process. The final structure uses a gradient of red, brown and black shades to highlight the geometric precision and textural detail made possible through advanced additive manufacturing.

Designed with circularity in mind, the sculpture was produced with 100% recycled aggregates and cement-free binder systems, underscoring the material’s environmental potential. The pigments themselves are noted for their durability and UV stability, ensuring the colour remains vibrant over time.

A spokesperson for LANXESS said the collaboration shows how pigments can support both creative design and sustainable building practices: “The sculpture at Venice demonstrates how colour can be part of the structural and expressive language of concrete, even in cutting-edge applications like 3D printing.”

The Venice Architecture Biennale is one of the world’s most prestigious exhibitions of built environment innovation, attracting global architects, engineers and construction specialists.