{"id":575971,"date":"2023-05-25T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-25T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/your-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how\/"},"modified":"2023-05-25T08:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-05-25T05:00:00","slug":"your-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/your-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how\/","title":{"rendered":"#Your next home could be 3D-printed. Here\u2019s how"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a373ce6bda58\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a373ce6bda58\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/your-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how\/#Building_better\" >Building better\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/your-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how\/#Taking_shape\" >Taking shape\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/your-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how\/#Beyond_the_hype\" >Beyond the hype<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/your-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how\/#Printing_the_future\" >Printing the future\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div id=\"article-main-content\">\n                            <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts estimate around 60% of buildings that will exist in 30 years\u2019 time have yet to be built. This equals constructing a city the size of Stockholm every week until 2050. However, the construction sector currently doesn\u2019t have the people or the skills to deliver the infrastructure and homes we need at the pace required. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But what if we could offload some of the work to robots?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enter 3D concrete printing \u2014 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an emerging <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> that uses 3D printers to create all manner of structures, from bridges and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sculptures<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to houses and even whole neighbourhoods. These huge printers work much like their desktop equivalents, but instead of using ink, they extrude concrete. A giant robotic arm deposits the concrete layer by layer, like a tube of toothpaste, according to plans laid out in a digital blueprint.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>lication of 3D printing technology has caused quite a stir in recent years, captivating millions on <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social media<\/a>. Just take Aiman Hussein, director of printing at US-based startup Alquist 3D. His TikTok videos of 3D concrete printers building homes have racked up tens of millions of views and scored him over 60K followers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thelayerlord\/video\/7062494406766808367\" data-video-id=\"7062494406766808367\" data-embed-from=\"oembed\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;\">\n<section><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"@thelayerlord\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thelayerlord?refer=embed\">@thelayerlord<\/a><br \/>\nGetting ready for live printing at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"ibs2022\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/ibs2022?refer=embed\">#ibs2022<\/a> with @blackbuffalo3d <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"3d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/3d?refer=embed\">#3d<\/a> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"3dcp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/3dcp?refer=embed\">#3dcp<\/a> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"oddlysatisfying\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/oddlysatisfying?refer=embed\">#oddlysatisfying<\/a> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"3dprinting\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/3dprinting?refer=embed\">#3dprinting<\/a> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"orlando\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/orlando?refer=embed\">#orlando<\/a> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"foryou\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/foryou?refer=embed\">#foryou<\/a> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"concrete\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/concrete?refer=embed\">#concrete<\/a> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"affordablehousing\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/affordablehousing?refer=embed\">#affordablehousing<\/a><\/p>\n<p> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c Tokyo Drift - Xavier Wulf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/Tokyo-Drift-6778275819362977794?refer=embed\">\u266c Tokyo Drift \u2013 Xavier Wulf<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But while the process of a robot depositing layer after layer of smooth concrete might be mesmerising to some, the real buzz around 3D concrete printing is in its potential to make construction faster, cleaner, and greener.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_better\"><\/span><b>Building better\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Construction is one of the oldest professions on earth and is vital to our everyday lives: it builds the houses we live in, the infrastructure we <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travel<\/a> on, and the schools our children learn in. But, the sector is plagued by cost overruns, chronic inefficiencies, and labour shortages. What\u2019s more, it has a gargantuan environmental impact \u2014 the built environment is <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/global-status-report-for-buildings-and-construction-2019\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">responsible<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for almost 40% of global CO\u2082 emissions and accounts for a third of all waste generated in the EU.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf we are to deliver the homes and infrastructure we so desperately need over the coming decades \u2014 in a way that is sustainable and cost-effective \u2014 something drastically needs to change,\u201d Rob Wolfs, professor in structural engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU\/e), tells TNW.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wolfs is <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one of the foremost global experts on 3D concrete printing. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This technology can help tackle some of the greatest challenges facing the construction industry today,\u201d he says, as we zip down the escalator into the basement of TU\/e\u2019s built environment department.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located down a narrow concrete stairwell behind a set of wooden doors is the department\u2019s R&amp;D lab. It smells like sawdust, fresh concrete, and potential. This is where bright ideas go to get tested and validated. It\u2019s also home to the university\u2019s very own 3D concrete printer. For almost a decade, the printer (which sadly doesn\u2019t have a cool nickname) has been used to refine and develop 3D printing technology and has laid the foundation of knowledge for many of the commercial-scale projects we see today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396722 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"3D printing in construction\" width=\"1640\" height=\"2187\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1640px) 100vw, 1640px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs.jpg 1640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-157x210.jpg 157w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-101x135.jpg 101w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-202x270.jpg 202w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-796x1061.jpg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-1592x2123.jpg 1592w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fecosystems%2F2023%2F05%2F25%2Fyour-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: Rob Wolfs stands in the shadow of TU\/e\u2019s 3D concrete printer during TNW\u2019s visit to the university\u2019s built environment lab.\" data-title=\"Share Rob Wolfs stands in the shadow of TU\/e\u2019s 3D concrete printer during TNW\u2019s visit to the university\u2019s built environment lab. on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share Rob Wolfs stands in the shadow of TU\/e\u2019s 3D concrete printer during TNW\u2019s visit to the university\u2019s built environment lab. on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>Rob Wolfs stands in the shadow of TU\/e\u2019s 3D concrete printer during TNW\u2019s visit to the university\u2019s built environment lab.<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396722 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs.jpg\" alt=\"3D printing in construction\" width=\"1640\" height=\"2187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs.jpg 1640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-157x210.jpg 157w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-101x135.jpg 101w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-202x270.jpg 202w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-796x1061.jpg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-concrete-printing-house-eindhoven-rob-wolfs-1592x2123.jpg 1592w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printing offers the ability for mass customisation that was previously too challenging or costly to achieve using traditional methods. Want to create a bespoke house design or a unique building component or even an artificial coral reef with complex twists and shapes? 3D printing offers that freedom of design. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou can really make everything unique, everything optimised, tailored to a specific application,\u201d says Wolfs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But crucially, because <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printing is an \u201cadditive\u201d process, building a product layer by layer,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> it can build structures using only the exact amount of material required. Numerous <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1359835X19302829\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">studies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have shown that<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 3D printing in construction can reduce waste by 30-60%.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The efficiency of the process also means less concrete is needed overall: Finnish startup <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hyperion Robotics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> claims that its <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printing micro-factories can reduce concrete use by 75%. If concrete were a country it would be the third largest emitter of CO\u2082 \u2014 so the less we use it the better. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"c-richText__pullQuote\">\n<div class=\"c-richText__pullQuoteGradient\">\n<p class=\"c-richText__pullQuoteQuote\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cRobots do the hard work, so you don\u2019t have to. <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">automates many of the tough tasks involved in construction, such as bricklaying, reducing the number of people needed on site. Given the chronic lack of workers entering the industry, many <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/344664926_sustainability_A_Review_of_3D_Printing_in_Construction_and_its_Impact_on_the_Labor_Market#:~:text=It%20is%20found%20that%203D,heavily%20dependent%20on%20immigrant%20workers.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">consider<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> automation and robotics to be the only solution to delivering the infrastructure we need at the pace and scale required.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cRobots are not going to take people\u2019s jobs,\u201d says Wolfs. \u201cThey\u2019re going to do the dirty, hard labour, freeing up people to do safer, more skilled work.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Automation also increases speed and efficiency, with some 3D printing companies claiming they can print the entire structure of a house in 24 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So 3D printing in construction has the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">potential<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to produce complex designs, boost efficiency, reduce waste, improve sustainability, and address workforce challenges. But can it deliver?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Taking_shape\"><\/span><b>Taking shape\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2021, Dutch couple <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elize Lutz and Harrie Dekkers, retired shopkeepers from Amsterdam, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">became Europe\u2019s first inhabitants of a 3D-printed house in Eindhoven. Their new home, which cost <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u20ac1,400 per month to rent at the time, is the first of five houses under Project Milestone \u2014 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a collaborative effort between TU\/e, the government, and the construction industry to validate and scale 3D construction printing. Here\u2019s some pics of their new abode:\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Construction company Weber Beamix printed the boulder-shaped house, which c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">onsists of 24 separate concrete elements, at its facility in Eindhoven. The elements were transported by truck to the building site, bolted together and secured to the foundation, after which the roof and frames were added and the finishing touches applied \u2014 the whole process took around 120 hours. The partners aim to construct the next four houses completely onsite using one giant printer.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weber Beamix has been working closely with TU\/e for years, to bring its research to market. So far the company, a subsidiary of French construction giant Saint Gobain, has printed all manner of structures: a 30-metre-long bridge in the Dutch city of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nijmegen, a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9-metre-tall<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pigeon tower in Qatar, and a skate park in Eindhoven.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But that\u2019s just a drop in the ocean. In the last couple of years, 3D-printed structures have been popping up all over the show, with some seriously ambitious projects in the works.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2021, Germany\u2019s first ever 3D-printed house was unveiled in the town of Beckum. In 2022, a two-storey apartment building, also in Germany, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was 3D-printed in just 72 hours by a two-person crew and is now occupied by five households. In the same year, French 3D printing startup XtreeE successfully constructed five social homes in the city of Reims.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396762 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"3D printing in construction\" width=\"1136\" height=\"852\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1136px) 100vw, 1136px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house.jpg 1136w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-280x210.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-796x597.jpg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-368x276.jpg 368w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-736x552.jpg 736w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fecosystems%2F2023%2F05%2F25%2Fyour-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: Germany\u2019s first 3D-printed house. Credit: PERI AG\" data-title=\"Share Germany\u2019s first 3D-printed house. Credit: PERI AG on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share Germany\u2019s first 3D-printed house. Credit: PERI AG on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>Germany\u2019s first 3D-printed house. Credit: PERI AG<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396762 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house.jpg\" alt=\"3D printing in construction\" width=\"1136\" height=\"852\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house.jpg 1136w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-280x210.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-796x597.jpg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-368x276.jpg 368w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/beckum-3d-printed-house-736x552.jpg 736w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps the world\u2019s most ambitious 3D-printed affordable housing project is in the small town of Accrington, England. The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a36m<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Charter Street scheme, developed by Irish architecture firm Harcourt Technologies and local social housing provider Building for Humanity, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will house homeless veterans and low-income families in 46 eco-homes that can each be printed in weeks. Full planning permission has already been secured for the site, and construction is set to begin imminently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the time of writing, Danish manufacturer of 3D concreteprinters, COBOD, is working with <span>humanitarian foundation Team4UA to 3D-print a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.voxelmatters.com\/3dcp-group-builds-europes-first-3d-printed-school-in-ukraine\/\">school in Ukraine<\/a>. Over 2,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed since Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine last year, and it is hoped that 3D concrete printing can expedite reconstruction efforts.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396745 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"3D printing in construction\" width=\"1640\" height=\"923\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1640px) 100vw, 1640px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine.jpeg 1640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-280x158.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-240x135.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-796x448.jpeg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-1592x896.jpeg 1592w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-1200x675.jpeg 1200w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fecosystems%2F2023%2F05%2F25%2Fyour-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: A prototype wind turbine base being printed by GE Renewable Energy using the world\u2019s largest 3D concrete printer developed by Danish startup COBOD. Credit: COBOD\/GE\" data-title=\"Share A prototype wind turbine base being printed by GE Renewable Energy using the world\u2019s largest 3D concrete printer developed by Danish startup COBOD. Credit: COBOD\/GE on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share A prototype wind turbine base being printed by GE Renewable Energy using the world\u2019s largest 3D concrete printer developed by Danish startup COBOD. Credit: COBOD\/GE on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>A prototype wind turbine base being printed by GE Renewable Energy using the world\u2019s largest 3D concrete printer developed by Danish startup COBOD. Credit: COBOD\/GE<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396745 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine.jpeg\" alt=\"3D printing in construction\" width=\"1640\" height=\"923\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine.jpeg 1640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-280x158.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-240x135.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-796x448.jpeg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-1592x896.jpeg 1592w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3d-rpinted-wind-turbine-1200x675.jpeg 1200w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But it\u2019s not just 3D-printed buildings that are making the headlines. The design freedom afforded by 3D concrete printers means they can create just about anything, from staircases and protective sea walls, to septic tanks and even <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wind turbine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> foundations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Henrik Lund-Nielsen, CEO at COBOD, the technology can deliver its \u201cbiggest bang for the buck\u201d not in housing but in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">industrial<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> projects where reinforced concrete makes up a much larger part of the project\u2019s total cost.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These applications are not just bound to Earth either. In December 2022, NASA awarded US startup ICON a $57m contract to develop 3D-printing technology to build roads, launchpads, and homes on the moon\u2019s surface, as part of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NASA\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Artemis<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program, which plans for long-term human exploration of the moon. ICON is currently developing a large 3D printer that could be transported to the moon, using lunar materials instead of concrete to print the lunar base.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396760 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"3D printing in construction\" width=\"1640\" height=\"1045\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1640px) 100vw, 1640px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars.jpeg 1640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-280x178.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-212x135.jpeg 212w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-424x270.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-1536x979.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-796x507.jpeg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-1592x1014.jpeg 1592w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fecosystems%2F2023%2F05%2F25%2Fyour-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: ICON has been collaborating with NASA on a number of projects. Here they are printing the structure for NASA\u2019s Mars Dune Alpha, where volunteers will spend a year simulating life on the Red Planet. Credit: ICON\/NASA\" data-title=\"Share ICON has been collaborating with NASA on a number of projects. Here they are printing the structure for NASA\u2019s Mars Dune Alpha, where volunteers will spend a year simulating life on the Red Planet. Credit: ICON\/NASA on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share ICON has been collaborating with NASA on a number of projects. Here they are printing the structure for NASA\u2019s Mars Dune Alpha, where volunteers will spend a year simulating life on the Red Planet. Credit: ICON\/NASA on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>ICON has been collaborating with NASA on a number of projects. Here they are printing the structure for NASA\u2019s Mars Dune Alpha, where volunteers will spend a year simulating life on the Red Planet. Credit: ICON\/NASA<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396760 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars.jpeg\" alt=\"3D printing in construction\" width=\"1640\" height=\"1045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars.jpeg 1640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-280x178.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-212x135.jpeg 212w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-424x270.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-1536x979.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-796x507.jpeg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/ICON-3D-printing-Mars-1592x1014.jpeg 1592w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More and more big players are entering the 3D construction printing space, lured by its potential benefits. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COBOD, which claims to be the largest provider of 3D printers to the construction industry, is backed by a number of global industrial giants, including <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">General<\/a> Electric, which recently built the world\u2019s biggest additive construction facility to 3D print concrete bases for wind turbines. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yet despite the impressive progress to date, according to a recent <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cobod.com\/global-inventory-3d-printed-buildings\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">report<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there are currently only 130 completed 3D-printed buildings globally. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clearly then, the 3D printing in construction is making its mark, although its true potential is not so concrete.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Beyond_the_hype\"><\/span><b>Beyond the hype<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhen this technology arrived on the scene around 10 years ago, people thought we were going to 3D print everything in the future \u2014 but it hasn\u2019t quite turned out that way,\u201d Wolfs told TNW.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wolfs\u2019 insights on the development of 3D printing nod to Gartner\u2019s Hype Cycle, which outlines the five distinct phases of a technology\u2019s lifecycle.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396750 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"3D printing construction\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle-280x186.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle-203x135.jpg 203w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle-405x270.jpg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle-796x530.jpg 796w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fecosystems%2F2023%2F05%2F25%2Fyour-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: Gartner\u2019s Hype Cycle offers a view of how a technology or application will evolve over time.\" data-title=\"Share Gartner\u2019s Hype Cycle offers a view of how a technology or application will evolve over time. on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share Gartner\u2019s Hype Cycle offers a view of how a technology or application will evolve over time. on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>Gartner\u2019s Hype Cycle offers a view of how a technology or application will evolve over time.<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396750 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle.jpg\" alt=\"3D printing construction\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle-280x186.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle-203x135.jpg 203w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle-405x270.jpg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/gartner-hype-cycle-796x530.jpg 796w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Wolfs pointed out, around 10 years ago, 3D printing as a whole was in the hype phase, or the \u2018peak of inflated expectations\u2019. Startups were popping up all over the place, VC capital was flowing, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printers were expected to be busily cranking out all the tools, human organs, and automobiles anyone could ever want or need<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then came the inevitable descent into the \u2018trough of disillusionment\u2019 somewhere <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/technical.ly\/uncategorized\/3d-printing-gartner-hype-cycle\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">around<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 2015 \u2014\u00a0flaws in the technology emerged, early adopters encountered performance issues, and there were low returns on investment.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast forward to the present day, and 3D printing as a whole appears to be on the up again, as kinks get ironed out, early adopters start to see returns, and the technology matures. However, there is a great disparity between different applications of 3D printing as to where they sit on the Gartner Hype Cycle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAlmost all dental implants these days are 3D printed. The technology is now mainstream because it\u2019s proven to be the best way to manufacture that product,\u201d says Wolfs. \u201cHowever, in construction, we\u2019re not there yet, not even close.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"c-richText__pullQuote\">\n<div class=\"c-richText__pullQuoteGradient\">\n<p class=\"c-richText__pullQuoteQuote\"> \u201c3D printing won\u2019t solve the housing crisis on its own.\n            <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps the biggest buzz around 3D construction printing lately has been its potential to solve the housing crisis. As countries worldwide face a shortage of homes, proponents believe houses that \u2018can be printed in a day\u2019 could be the solution. Wolfs is not so sure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c3D printing won\u2019t solve the housing crisis on its own \u2014 that issue is far too complex and is not just a technological problem,\u201d he says. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t make sense to replace all the traditional building methods with 3D printing either, but to find applications where 3D printing really makes sense.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two key areas that could propel 3D construction printing up the \u2018slope of enlightenment\u2019, according to Wolfs: standardising the technology and making it more sustainable.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe have to come up with ways to assess and guarantee the quality of our printed structures\u00a0 and move towards standardisation of this technology. It is moving so quickly it risks getting in its own way,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">W<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ill a 3D-printed home last as long as a traditionally built home? Will it be structurally sound and safe in the event of a fire or natural disaster? Since the development of the technology has outpaced updates to widely used codes and standards, it has left builders with few answers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At TU\/e, researchers are undertaking strength and material testing on a smaller scale in order to validate on a larger scale, with the idea that eventually the results will become enshrined in standards like the Euro code. For now, 3D concrete printing pioneers have to hope that their designs will pass building codes written up for structures built using traditional methods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396758 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"3D printing construction\" width=\"1440\" height=\"959\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing-280x186.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing-203x135.jpg 203w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing-405x270.jpg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing-796x530.jpg 796w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fecosystems%2F2023%2F05%2F25%2Fyour-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: In 2021, Italian startup WASP 3D-printed these two homes using local earth instead of concrete. Credit: WASP\" data-title=\"Share In 2021, Italian startup WASP 3D-printed these two homes using local earth instead of concrete. Credit: WASP on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share In 2021, Italian startup WASP 3D-printed these two homes using local earth instead of concrete. Credit: WASP on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>In 2021, Italian startup WASP 3D-printed these two homes using local earth instead of concrete. Credit: WASP<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1396758 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing.jpg\" alt=\"3D printing construction\" width=\"1440\" height=\"959\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing-280x186.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing-203x135.jpg 203w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing-405x270.jpg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/wasp-3D-printing-796x530.jpg 796w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then there\u2019s the sustainability aspect. While 3D construction printing cuts waste, it still relies heavily on cement. The scaling of low-emission cement alternatives \u2014 like those infused with graphene or made from local clay \u2014 will be key to ensuring 3D printing can meet its environmental credentials.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key to all of this is trial and error. As research advances, more projects break ground, and big players enter the industry, it seems only a matter of time before 3D construction printing can cement its place in the market.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Printing_the_future\"><\/span><b>Printing the future\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite an apparent decade-long inertia, the digital transformation of construction is now in <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/industries\/private-equity-and-principal-investors\/our-insights\/rise-of-the-platform-era-the-next-chapter-in-construction-technology\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">full swing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital twins, drones, robotics, and blockchain helping contractors deliver structures more efficiently and sustainably.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Going forward, Wolfs predicts that 3D printing will become part of this \u2018toolbox\u2019 of technologies, as construction moves toward increasing levels of automation and digitisation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the technology continually develops, opportunities will emerge to print bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. One day, 3D printers <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.nationaldefensemagazine.org\/articles\/2017\/10\/30\/defense-industry-moves-toward-multi-material-3d-printing&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1684995618545191&amp;usg=AOvVaw2C6E-LOLbNshLOhX0c8nOS\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">might<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> even be able to print multiple materials from the same nozzle, allowing the construction of not just concrete walls but steel frames, windows, and insulation, in one sweeping motion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is also the <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S2214860419308243?via%3Dihub\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">possibility<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that future structures will be printed by \u2018teams\u2019 of 3D printing robots of different sizes \u2014 one large printer for the structure, multiple smaller ones for elements like doors and windows, and swarms of flying <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/d41586-022-03012-z\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printing drones<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the finishing touches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printing in construction, then, is not so much of a revolution as an evolution. Either way, it seems likely that the buildings of the future will, in some part, be 3D printed.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/your-next-home-could-be-3d-printed-heres-how\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Experts estimate around 60% of buildings that will exist in 30 years\u2019 time have yet to be built. This equals constructing a city the size of Stockholm every week until 2050. However, the construction sector currently doesn\u2019t have the people or the skills to deliver the infrastructure and homes we need at the pace required&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":575972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw-blurple?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/05\/3D-printed-home-1.jpg&signature=5ec38877e07334e710581ceae2f4fa06","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-575971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/575971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=575971"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/575971\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/575972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=575971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=575971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=575971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}