Can we 3D print a building?

 

Can We 3D Print a Building? Exploring the Future of Construction

The construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the advent of 3D printing technology.  Once considered a futuristic concept, 3D printing buildings is now becoming a reality, raising questions about feasibility, efficiency, and potential to revolutionise how we approach architecture and urban development.

 

What is 3D Printing in Construction?

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, involves creating a physical object layer by layer from a digital model.  In the context of construction, this technology employs large-scale printers that extrude materials such as concrete or other composites to form the structure of a building.  This method contrasts with traditional construction techniques that often involve cutting materials down to size and assembling them in a specific order. This extruded method could make the building process quicker – as a step toward satisfying the current demand for deliverable housing.  A traditional house can take months to build, but a 3D printed house could take just a few days. This improved level of efficiency may be especially helpful in areas that have a pressing need for more houses but difficulty in accessing the variety of materials houses need.

 

3D printed house in Austin – photo from Archdaily

 

What would the cost of 3D printing buildings be?

3D printing houses promotes rapid development, it may well be more cost effective than traditional methods – meaning cities which need to build more housing can utilise this technology to build more affordable homes.  One organisation that is already exploring the use of 3D printed buildings is the “New Story” project in El Salvador, which aims to provide homes for low-income families showing that this technology can be used to create affordable housing.

 

Image from https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/19/technology/3d-printed-house-new-story/index.html

 

3D printing homes means that fewer workers will be required and less expensive materials which will lower the overall cost of construction; this means that there will be a substantial reduction in the cost of building homes – leading to more affordable housing, which will enable more first time buyers to get on the property ladder.

 

Design Flexibility & Sustainability:

Not only would 3D printing allow for more buildings to be built, but it would also enable architects to create more complex and customised designs.  Designs that may be more difficult or impossible to create using current building methods.   3D buildings could be made to tailor made to people’s needs such as those with accessibility issues.  Currently construction tech company ICON’s Vulcan construction system, uses a robotic armature to layer Portland-cement-based material Lavacrete into striated surfaces to form the 3D shell of the houses shown above.

 

Alongside innovative design, 3D printed buildings could also achieve greater sustainability credentials by utilising recycled plastics, bio materials, clay, and even waste from rice production processes making buildings more eco-friendly.

 

Challenges to Overcome

Despite the promise of 3D printing in construction, the technology still faces several challenges – the initial investment into the technology and equipment being very expensive, which could deter potential investors or businesses from early adoption due high prices.

3D printing in construction is a technology that can only be used effectively by very large construction firms – rendering it financially unaffordable to smaller construction firms or businesses wishing to use the technology.

As the use of 3D rises so will the need for new skilled or retrained workers who understand both construction in the traditional sense and embrace the technology behind 3D printing.

Investment in development, training and education will become essential if this technology is to be used more widely.

 

In conclusion, while we are still in the early stages of fully integrating 3D printing into the construction industry, the progress made so far is encouraging.  With its potential to speed up construction, reduce costs, and create sustainable building practices, 3D printing could re-shape the way we build in the future. The question is not if we can 3D print a building, but rather how quickly we can scale this technology to meet the challenges of modern construction.

 

We may not be working on full size 3D projects just yet, but we have adopted 3D printed models as a tool to display design principles, or just as a surprise gift!

 

A project we completed in Kent to provide a two-storey rear addition, and full refurbishment;
3D printed model, just under 5cm wide.

Nat Hoskins