Emerging Objects

What Emerging Objects does

Emerging Objects is an independent 3D printing MAKE-tank (research, design, and fabrication studio) founded in 2011 in Oakland, California by Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello. The firm specializes in architectural-scale additive manufacturing using unconventional and sustainable materials, including a patented cement polymer, salt, sawdust, recycled glass, and wildfire ash (marketed as WUIware). Its work spans full-scale buildings (Cabin of 3D Printed Curiosities, Bloom, the Beijing-printed house, Skylos), conservation infrastructure (3D-printed ceramic coral reefs deployed globally with SECORE and California Academy of Sciences), limited-edition design objects sold through galleries, and educational software (POTTERWARE).

The studio operates a hybrid business model combining fee-based consulting and custom fabrication for enterprise and real-estate clients (Continuum Partners, Siam Cement Group, Jinhai Lake Development, Autodesk), recurring subscription revenue from POTTERWARE (priced $300-$500/year for K-12 users), and direct-to-consumer e-commerce for design objects priced $84-$299. Its wood-based binder-jetting process was commercialized through FORUST, a venture that became part of the Desktop Metal ecosystem. A core team of approximately three people executes this portfolio, supplemented by academic collaborators and project partners.

Customers include enterprises commissioning architectural research and prototypes, educational institutions licensing POTTERWARE, design collectors and galleries acquiring limited-edition objects, and conservation organizations deploying reef structures. Distribution leverages both direct channels (firm website, Shopify storefront) and institutional ones (Cristina Grajales Gallery, museums and biennales including Venice and Design Miami). The studio was recognized with the 2025 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Digital Design and the 2019 3D Pioneers Challenge award.

Name

Emerging Objects

Legal name

Emerging Objects

Website

https://emergingobjects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Emerging Objects is an Oakland-based 3D printing MAKE-tank founded in 2011, specializing in architectural-scale additive manufacturing using sustainable and unconventional materials. It serves enterprise clients, educational institutions, design collectors, and conservation organizations through consulting, its POTTERWARE software, and D2C products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural 3D Printing

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (54143)

SIC

Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAAAEAK

Construction & Architecture (Additive End-Use Components)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing for Production Parts (Industrial End-Use)

SECONDARYIMAAAFAL

Architecture & Construction Scale Models (Additive)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/3D Printing/Rapid Prototyping & Product Development (Additive)

SECONDARYIMAAABAK

Recycled & Sustainable 3D Printing Materials (Bio-based/Regrind)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/3D Printing/3D Printing Materials (Polymers, Metals, Ceramics, Composites)

SECONDARYIMAAADAC

Ceramic & Glass 3D Printing Services

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/3D Printing/3D Printing Services (On-Demand Manufacturing & Service Bureaus)

Keywords

• 3D printing architecture
• Additive manufacturing
• Ceramic design software
• Custom fabrication services
• Sustainable building materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: Consultation to companies seeking innovative 3D printing solutions. Expertise in material development helps customers create compelling designs unable to be achieved any other way. Core revenue stream for custom projects.
2. POTTERWARE Software Subscription: Annual and semester-based subscriptions for design software. Unlimited downloads for corporate, educational, or individual use. Tiered pricing based on user type.
3. Product Sales (E-commerce): Direct sales of 3D printed products including lighting (Starlight series), tiles, and vessels through the online shop. Products range from $84 to $299.
4. FORUST Wood Technology (Subsidiary): Wood technology company creating 3D printed wood products for sustainable interiors. Now part of Desktop Metal ecosystem. Revenue from wood material products and licensing.
5. Custom Fabrication & Art Sales: Sale of custom 3D printed artworks and architectural elements. WUIware vessels in permanent collections at SFMOMA and LACMA. Newer pieces available through Cristina Grajales Gallery in New York City.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Emerging Objects is an independent, creatively driven 3D printing MAKE-tank that designs, develops, and fabricates architectural-scale objects and building components using unconventional and sustainable materials such as salt, wood, cement polymer, clay, and adobe. The company delivers custom 3D printed architectural installations, building components, and material innovations for enterprise clients, and it sells the POTTERWARE design application for 3D printing ceramics, retail 3D printed products through its online shop, and art through gallery representation.

Product overview

Emerging Objects is an independent 3D Printing MAKE-tank specializing in architectural-scale additive manufacturing and material innovation. The portfolio comprises the core Emerging Objects MAKE-tank services offering consultation for innovative 3D printing solutions; POTTERWARE, a design application for 3D printing ceramics; FORUST, a wood technology company for sustainable 3D printed wood products; and the book 'Printing Architecture.' The company produces a diverse range of 3D printed products including building components (Seed Stitch tiles, Cool Brick, Picoroco Blocks, Cement Polymer materials), architectural projects (Cabin of 3D Printed Curiosities, Bloom pavilion, Casa Covida, Skylos), consumer products (Starlight lighting series, ceramic vessels), and artistic installations. Materials developed include cement polymer, wood, salt, nylon, acrylic, rubber, paper, chocolate, and tea-based filaments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FORUST: Wood technology company created by the founders of Emerging Objects, Figulo, and Boston Ceramics, focusing on sustainable wood manufacturing using sawdust through additive manufacturing. FORUST is now part of the Desktop Metal ecosystem.
• POTTERWARE

Quantifiable outcome

• First permitted 3D printed earthen building in the world (Skylos)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SECORE InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Strategic partnership for coral reef restoration. SECORE (SExual COral REproduction) is a leading conservation organization for coral reef protection. Together with Emerging Objects, California Academy of Sciences, and Autodesk Foundation, they created ceramic seeding units for coral larvae habitat. Project deployed 3,600 units globally in Guam, Curacao, Barbados, Australia, and Mexico.
• The California Academy of SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Emerging Objects and SECORE International to design coral reef seeding unit prototypes. Provided scientific consultation and support for the coral restoration initiative.
• Autodesk FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered in the coral reef restoration project, providing support and funding for the development of 3D printed ceramic seeding units for ocean sustainability.
• Boston CeramicscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProduction partner that manufactured 3,600 3D printed ceramic coral reef seeding units for the global restoration project. Also a founding partner of FORUST wood technology company.
• Desktop MetalcoreTechnology or IntegrationFORUST, the wood technology company created by Emerging Objects founders, is now part of the Desktop Metal ecosystem. FORUST uses Desktop Metal's additive manufacturing systems to produce 3D printed wood products for sustainable interiors.
• Bold Machines (Stratasys)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project to create one of the largest PLA-based 3D printed structures - the Star Lounge. Bold Machines printed and assembled the 2,073 hexagonal blocks using over 100 3D printers at their Brooklyn, NY headquarters.
• Siam Cement Group (SCG Thailand)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary sponsor and partner for the Bloom pavilion project. SCG's team from Thailand provided support including research leadership, cement and cementitious group expertise, and project sponsorship.
• PrintFARM at UC BerkeleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Print Facility for Architecture, Research, and Materials at UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design. Enabled block production for Bloom using 11 powder 3D printers.
• 3D SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject sponsor for Bloom pavilion. Provided technology support for the experimental additive manufacturing research.
• MakerBotflagshipTechnology or IntegrationStar Lounge was printed at the MakerBot BotFarm using desktop Replicator 2 3D printers, demonstrating architectural potential using small-scale desktop printers.
• Cristina Grajales GallerycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGallery representation for Emerging Objects' art pieces including WUIware vessels and Co-Botic Vessels (Sexy Beasts). Located in New York City, the gallery provides access to collectors and exhibition opportunities.
• Digital Stone ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Stone Pouf project. Stone Pouf exhibited as part of Digital Stone Project 2025 at Barga, Tuscany, Italy. Jon Isherwood and Garfagna Innovazione are key partners in this initiative.
• San José State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership through Professor Virginia San Fratello who is Chair of the Department of Design at SJSU. University provides research support and collaboration for various projects including Stone Pouf and Smoke Screen.
• WASP3DminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the Future Archeologies 2049 exhibition at Faenza, Italy, in partnership with Faenza Center for Ceramic Art.
• 3D PottercoreTechnology or IntegrationHardware partner providing SCARA HD robot and Potterbot systems for clay 3D printing. Danny Defelici developed the portable SCARA robot for on-site adobe printing used in Casa Covida and Mud Frontiers projects.
• Google Arts and Culture LabflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on the Future Relics project for the 'India and the World: A History in Nine Stories' exhibition at CSMVS museum in Mumbai. Created 3D printed vessels representing objects important to contemporary culture.
• Jinhai Lake Development (Beijing)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for 3D Printed House 1.0 case study project in Beijing. Demonstrated integration of traditional construction methods with 3D printed manufacturing using salt and cement polymer materials.
• Continuum PartnersflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Skylos land art installation - 8 3D printed earthen silos in Colorado's San Luis Valley. First permitted 3D printed earthen building and largest 3D printed earthen structure in the world.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• COBOD International: Danish manufacturer of construction-scale 3D printers and turnkey building printing systems used globally for concrete and cementitious construction. Direct peer in 3D printed buildings at architectural scale.
• Olivier van Herpt: Independent Dutch designer/artist producing large-scale functional ceramics via custom 3D printing hardware. Direct peer to POTTERWARE/WUIware in designer-driven ceramic 3D printing at scale.
• WASP (World's Advanced Saving Project): Italian maker of large-scale 3D printers for architecture using natural materials (clay, earth, sustainable feedstocks). Direct peer on architectural-scale additive manufacturing, and Emerging Objects has cited WASP-supported projects such as Future Archeologies at Faenza.
• ICON: US-based construction 3D printing company building permitted homes and structures using proprietary materials and Vulcan printers. Direct peer in permitted, large-scale 3D printed buildings.
• MX3D: Dutch company using robotic additive manufacturing to print large-scale architectural metal structures (e.g., the MX3D Bridge). Direct peer in robotic, large-format 3D printing for architecture and the built environment.
• WinSun (Yingchuang Building Technique): Chinese pioneer of 3D printed buildings using recycled and cementitious materials. Direct peer for large-scale architectural 3D printing and an early reference point for projects such as Emerging Objects' 3D Printed House 1.0 in Beijing.
• Mighty Buildings: US construction 3D printing company producing permitted 3D printed homes and building components using proprietary materials. Direct peer in permitted, materials-driven 3D printed construction.
• Branch Technology: US firm using robotic 3D printing (Cellular Fabrication) to produce large-scale architectural structures and facades. Direct peer in architectural-scale additive manufacturing with bespoke design orientation.
• XtreeE: French architectural 3D printing company producing large-scale concrete and structural building components from digital models. Direct peer in construction-scale additive manufacturing with a design-led approach.

Broad incumbents

• Desktop Metal: US-based additive manufacturing platform with binder-jetting and metal 3D printing systems; absorbed Emerging Objects co-founders' FORUST wood technology spin-off. Broad incumbent in 3D printing hardware and materials, with direct lineage to EO via FORUST.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EmergingObjects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emerging-objects-corp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Emerging Objects