Mar 3, 2017 | By Tess
Mike Draghici, a software engineer of Romanian origin, is hoping to build a full-scale replica of Romania’s famous Bran Castle (often associated with Dracula) on his Washington estate with the help of 3D printing. Draghici has teamed up with Minnesota-based engineer Andrey Rudenko, the man behind the Rudenko 3D concrete house printer, to bring the castle to life.
The ambitious project is trying to raise funds ($1 million to be exact) through a Kickstarter campaign to get the plans and building in motion. Obviously, 3D printing a full-size castle is no easy feat, so Draghici is also seeking out investors, engineers, inventors, builders, carpenters, and more to partner with him.
Draghici’s 40-acre estate, located in Washington’s wine country, is called “Vampire Hills,” a nod to his Romanian heritage. (Dracula fans will know that, while the tale was written by Irish author Bram Stoker, the famous fictional vampire is from Transylvania, a region now located in central Romania.) By 3D printing a replica of the famous Bran Castle on his estate, the software engineer is aiming to one day open a luxury estate winery that will host events and cater to upscale guests.
According to Draghici, he was able to get his hands on plans for the Bran Castle from Romanian relatives, and his team has already created the digital 3D models of the castle, bringing him one step closer to realizing his goals. Significant challenges remain, however, namely the funding for the project. As of writing, the Kickstarter campaign has only raised $8.66. It seems likely that funding for the 3D printed castle might have to come from other sources, such as deep-pocketed investors.
The real Bran Castle in Romania
The 3D printing technology for the castle will come from Andrey Rudenko, an innovator and maker who we’ve written about numerous times. Rudenko first came onto our radar in 2014 with a project that is still impressive by today’s standards of 3D printed construction. Readers will likely remember his 3D printed backyard castle that was made using a modified 3D printer Rudenko himself built. The castle, which measures 3 x 5 meters, is featured on our list of top 3D printed housing and construction projects.
Andrey Rudenko's 3D printed backyard castle
Since then, Rudenko has also spoken about his plans to build a full-sized, fantasy-inspired 3D printed village, and teamed up with the Lewis Grand Hotel in the Philippines to develop the world’s first 3D printed hotel. On February 16 of this year, Rudenko announced that his most recent concrete 3D printer, the Stroybot2, was complete and is a “a more advanced, faster, lighter, and user-friendly 3D Concrete Printing machine.”
If the funding and land approvals come through for Draghici’s 3D printed Romanian-style castle, there is no doubt that Rudenko and his Stroybot2 3D printer will be on board to help build it. Naturally, it might be years before the 3D printed castle even breaks ground, though we do hope it comes to fruition.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- T-Bone Cape motion control board launches on Indiegogo
- New extruder could lower costs of 3D printing cellular structures for drug testing
- New Ninja Printer Plate for consumer 3D printing
- mUVe3D releases improved Marlin firmware for all 3D printers
- Zecotek plans HD 3D display for 3D printers
- Add a smart LCD controller to your Robo3D printer
- Maker Kase: a handy cabinet for 3D printers
- Heated bed for ABS printing with the Printrbot Simple XL
- Next gen all metal 3D printer extruder from Micron
- Pico all-metal hotend 100% funded in 48 hours, B3 announces Stretch Goal
- Create it REAL announces first 3D printing Real Time Processor
- A larger and more powerful 3D printer extruder on Kickstarter