This thesis researches the gap between technical innovation and practical application with regards to 3D printing in the construction sector. It first identifies the importance of adopting a holistic approach to product design as to optimally exploit the advantages of 3D printing and meet immediate needs in the built environment. Thereafter, it evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of additive manufacturing, explores its potential large-scale adoption in construction, and defines the criteria for feasible 3D-printed solutions. In the second part of the thesis, the Tesla valve is researched as a case study to research how the strengths and weaknesses of 3D printing might be overcome in product design. In doing so, it also evaluates the effectiveness of Tesla valves in the regulation of natural ventilation and explores how 3D printing might compensate for the shortcomings of this concept.