Commemorative 3D Printed Installation for the RCDeportivo

Reproducing a Movement Full of Emotion

Can emotion be printed?
That was the challenge we faced at LAMÁQUINA when tasked with making an installation to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a goal that made history.

A Celebration that Marked the History of a Football Club

Back in 2000, RCDeportivo – the football team of La Coruña, a city in northern Spain – played a league match that would change the club’s trajectory. On 19 May, just three minutes after the referee signalled the start of the match, the player Donato Gama da Silva scored a goal with a header. The response of the Riazor stadium was epic and the player’s celebration captured the raw emotion of a glorious moment.

That match sealed the 2000 Spanish League title, crowning Dépor – as the club is affectionately known – as the winner. Twenty-five years later, supporters still remember that day as one of the most iconic moments of their club’s history.

Modelisation of a Gesture

LAMÁQUINA led the production process to recreate the reaction of the player following this moment that stirred deep emotion among his team’s supporters. To capture the precision of his movements, advanced computational tools were employed to analyse and simulate them in detail. Based on this data, a 3D digital model was created that reproduces the original gesture with detail.

The model was then refined to soften the edges and ensure a smooth surface suitable for 3D printing. The integration of additive manufacturing technology allowed for optimisation of both material usage and production times. The testing phase was completed in just two days, focusing on verifying the assembly system and the definition of the design pattern. 

Streamlined Production and Responsible Materials

Each figure was printed in two parts to streamline production and facilitate transportation. A custom joinery system was developed to allow for easy and secure assembly. The upper part was printed in PLA, a material made out of organic materials that can be biodegraded at the end of its use. The lower part was printed in PETG, a durable polymer that can be shredded and converted into pellets for future reuse. 

Full production was completed in only four days, resulting in ten pieces that pay tribute to an iconic milestone. The installation is open to the public at the Parrote esplanade until 10 June 2025, as part of the commemorative events marking this special anniversary for RC Deportivo and the city of A Coruña. This project highlights how 3D printing combined with computational design, can transform a fleeting emotion into a tangible form that resonates with collective memory.

3d printing, assembly, biodegradable, computation, installation, La Coruña, lamaquina3d, PETG, PLA, recycle, Spain