A three-dimensional porous electrode architecture for a microbattery includes a substrate having first and second conductive patterns disposed thereon where the first and second conductive patterns are electrically isolated from each other, a three-dimensional porous cathode disposed on the first conductive pattern, and a three-dimensional porous anode disposed on the second conductive pattern. The porous cathode includes a first conductive scaffold conformally coated with a layer of a cathode active material and having a porosity defined by a network of interconnected pores, where the first conductive scaffold has a lateral size and shape defined by the first conductive pattern and porous side walls oriented substantially perpendicular to the substrate. The porous anode includes a second conductive scaffold conformally coated with a layer of an anode active material and having a porosity defined by a network of interconnected pores.