Australia’s first multi-storey 3D concrete printed home completed in WA Construction 3D Printing

Western Australia has reached a significant national milestone in construction innovation with Contec Australia completing the country’s first multi-storey 3D printed concrete home. This project also marks the first of its kind in Perth. As WA’s only operational 3D concrete printing company, Contec Australia used mobile robotic technology to print the full structural walls of the Tapping home in just 18 hours of active printing time. The entire two-storey build, from the laying of the slab to final completion, was achieved in only five months.

This development comes at a time when Western Australia is experiencing ongoing labour shortages and escalating construction costs. Contec’s innovative approach demonstrates how automated 3D concrete printing can provide a scalable and practical alternative to conventional building methods. The technology brings advantages in speed, accuracy, and design flexibility while simultaneously reducing costs and construction waste.

Contec founder Mark D’Alessandro highlighted the significance of this innovation, stating, “Meeting future housing demand will require more than traditional approaches alone. 3D concrete printing offers an innovative solution that complements existing methods, delivering projects with greater speed, cost efficiencies, sustainability, and design flexibility.”

The 3D printing process uses a specialized concrete mix that is applied layer by layer, eliminating the need for formwork or scaffolding. The mix is self-supporting, hardens in under three minutes, and achieves a compressive strength of 50 MPa, which is more than three times stronger than standard bricks, rated at 15 MPa. The resulting walls are cyclone-rated, thermally efficient, termite-proof, and both fire and water resistant, making them highly suited to WA’s urban and regional environments.

Contec’s mobile robotic printer automates a significant portion of the construction process. Its compact, forklift-sized build allows it to operate on-site or off-site with minimal setup, which is ideal for space-constrained construction locations. By printing at speeds of up to 500mm per second, the structural walls of the Tapping project were completed in less than a day. The full home was delivered within five months, demonstrating the potential of this method to shorten project timelines dramatically.

Cost efficiency is another significant benefit. Traditional formwork, propping, and scaffolding are eliminated, allowing for the printing of complex architectural elements, such as curves and patterns, at no additional cost. The digital precision of the process also results in minimal material waste.

Design flexibility is a hallmark of the technology. Features such as curved walls, structural columns, and detailed architectural finishes are seamlessly incorporated during the printing process. Electrical conduits and service openings are integrated in real-time, eliminating the need for time-consuming retrofitting and increasing overall project efficiency.

Sustainability is built into every aspect of Contec’s method. Their proprietary concrete mix generates 30 percent less CO₂ emissions than standard concrete. Each project produces just a single wheelbarrow of waste, a stark contrast to the substantially higher volumes generated by traditional construction methods.

The safety and performance of printed structures are equally impressive. In-situ printing reduces the need for manual labour and transport on site, improving safety outcomes. Additionally, the printed structures provide excellent thermal and acoustic performance and are resilient against harsh environmental conditions, including cyclones, fire, water, and termites.

Importantly, in-situ 3D concrete printing aligns with traditional construction lending models, unlike some modular building approaches that often face financing hurdles. This makes the technology more compatible with existing industry frameworks and more accessible to builders and developers.

Contec Australia’s Mark D’Alessandro is a qualified builder and quantity surveyor with nearly 20 years of experience delivering residential, commercial, and high-rise developments across WA. He also heads JCM Property Group, a full-service commercial construction company. His combined expertise ensures that Contec’s 3D concrete printing solutions are not only innovative but also compliant with industry regulations and construction standards.

“With firsthand experience in the construction industry, we understand the challenges the sector faces. Our delivery method provides a compliant and efficient alternative to support the timely, cost-efficient, and scalable delivery of housing and critical infrastructure in WA,” D’Alessandro said.

Contec Australia now offers 3D concrete printing as a service to builders across Western Australia, enabling them to deliver projects faster, more efficiently, and with significant cost savings compared to traditional building methods.

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Author: Davide Sher