Printing the Unseen: Endurance at Goodwood Future Labs

For the third year running, LUMA-iD had the incredible opportunity to contribute to Goodwood Future Labs 2025, and this time, we embarked on a truly unique and ambitious project: building a fully 3D printed, textured, painted, and weathered 1:30th scale model of the Endurance, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s lost ship.

This project was a deep dive into the concept of digital preservation – bringing to life something that no human can physically reach, allowing us to view and interact with history in a truly innovative way. The inspiration, of course, comes from the remarkable discovery of the Endurance shipwreck and the meticulous 3D data acquired from it, as detailed by the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust – you can find more about the 3D data here.

A Race Against Time: Two Weeks to Bring History to Life

One of the most impressive feats of this project was the turnaround time. From concept to a fully realized model, we managed to complete the entire project in under two weeks! This incredible speed was a testament to our team’s dedication and the power of additive manufacturing.

However, such a tight deadline presented its own set of challenges:

Speed and Scale: Producing a 1:30th scale model of the Endurance meant printing parts of considerable size. To meet the deadline, we ran four of our in-house 3D printers non-stop for over a week. The largest single piece of the model took a staggering four days to print, a true test of endurance for our machines!

Wrangling the Data: Working with the raw 3D scan data of the shipwreck was an intricate process. The model required extensive clean-up and optimization to ensure it was suitable for 3D printing, demanding meticulous attention to detail from our design team.

Capturing the Depths: Perhaps the most creatively challenging aspect was matching the color tones of the ship to evoke the feeling of it resting in the frigid depths of the ocean. We experimented with a complex palette of dark blues, greys, and browns. The goal was not just to replicate the colors, but to use them strategically to lift the intricate details of the model, truly depicting the cold, dark environment in which the Endurance now lies.

The result is a stunning and evocative model that not only showcases the incredible potential of 3D printing and digital fabrication but also serves as a poignant reminder of human endeavor and the power of technology to preserve our past for future generations. We are incredibly proud of what we achieved and are already looking forward to our next innovative project with Goodwood Future Labs!