Independent Hotel Show Team speak with Aectual, winner of Pitch Live about their inspiration behind the innovative brand, how their sustainable initiative helps the hotel industry and what they are heading towards in the future!

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Can you tell us about the inspiration behind Aectual's 3D printed architectural products and how the company got started? 

All three of us founders of Aectual have a background in architecture, and we saw massive opportunities in XL 3D printing to create totally custom architectural designs made from recycled materials. We then developed one of the Worlds’ first large scale 3D printers, this was back in 2012, and we 3D printed a temporary Canal House, which got a lot of international acclaim – it was even presented to President Barack Obama when he visited the Netherlands! As more and more clients and designers became interested in our solution, we founded Aectual in 2017 to enable everyone to use the technology.

How can Aectual's customizable flooring and wall designs help hotels create unique and memorable interior spaces for their guests?

3D printing is really a modern craft and a great way to bring personal touchpoints back into interior design. All our products are custom tailored exactly to your hotel brand. For instance, we can create room dividers with a three-dimensional pattern exclusively for your hotel, and in every room, we can incorporate slight variations on the pattern theme, creating unique personal stories. This level of personal detail goes for all our products, from walls and flooring to furniture panels to window blinds. The amount of design freedom is amazing, and designs can be very subtle and elegant, or bold and cheeky, it is totally up to the hotel.

How does Aectual's focus on sustainability align with the growing trend among hotels to prioritize eco-friendly practices and materials?

We notice that hotels especially are in need for interior solutions that are sustainable and aesthetically pleasing, and our products really combine both. Our materials are plant-based or made from recycled waste materials, and are fully recyclable after use, because we take them back, shred the material and directly use it to reprint new items. This fully circular loop brings a novel and super sustainable way to cater to the changing needs of hotels and their guests. We also get a lot of positive feedback on our recycled materials, since they are very tactile and have a luxurious feel.

Can you speak to any cost benefits that hoteliers might experience by choosing Aectual's 3D printed products over traditional building materials?

When you compare our products to conventional hand-crafted or timberwork products, we are very competitive. Also, in some cases we offer a deposit on our products after use, as we re-use the material for new products.

What sort of maintenance or upkeep is required for Aectual's products in a hotel setting, and how does this compare to other types of architectural products?

Our products are virtually maintenance-free and do not differ in upkeep from more conventional materials like wood or hardboard panels. The materials are water-resistant and can easily be dusted.

Aectual is a relatively new brand in the market. What sets the company apart from other architectural product providers and where do you see the brand going in the future?

The fact that our products are made on-demand and are fully customizable, whilst also being fully circular and made from recycled materials, is what really sets us apart. In the future we hope to become the ‘hub of all designs’, providing an array of 3D printed and circular solutions, to cater to virtually any interior request. We’d love to fulfill everyone’s design dreams!