The town of Holstebro in Denmark just got a new landmark: Europe’s largest 3D printed housing project. The ambitious build, called Skovsporet (“The Forest Trail”), will ultimately consist of 36 student apartments, whose walls are made using COBOD’s BOD3 construction 3D printer. The project has just completed its 3D printing phase and is now preparing to move into the interior construction phase.
The now-complete 3D printing phase of the Skovsporet development was led by 3DCP Group, a Danish company specializing in construction 3D printing that has worked on a number of other builds including a residential fitness and utility pavilion in Copenhagen and a 507m² school, 3D printed in Ukraine in 2023. Its latest project is its largest, consisting of six buildings spanning a total of 1,654 m². When complete, each building will house six student apartments ranging in size from 40 to 50 m² (431 – 538 square feet). NordVestBO, an affordable housing organization in Western Denmark, is behind the overall project.
Using COBOD’s BOD3 3D printer, 3DCP Group was able to construct the walls for the six buildings on a continually accelerated timeline. That is, while the print for the first building took several weeks (presumably to establish a workflow and iron out any kinks), the final building took just five days to complete.
“The results at Skovsporet show how 3D construction printing can deliver large-scale projects faster and more efficiently than ever before,” said Henrik Lund-Nielsen, Founder and GM of COBOD International. “With the BOD3 printer, we achieved continuous improvements in productivity from one building to the next, confirming that the technology is ready for multi-unit residential developments. This project is a strong example of how automation impacts the speed of construction.”
Manufacturing on Demand
Diving deeper into the technical details of the student housing development, the walls were 3D printed using D.fab concrete, a universal, cost-efficient 3D printing material developed by COBOD and CEMEX, with FUTURECEM, a low-carbon cement based on limestone and calcined clay developed by Aalborg Portland, a Danish cement manufacturer.
Thanks to the BOD3’s capabilities and autonomy, only three operators were required to print the wall sections, which were executed with millimeter-scale accuracy. COBOD’s BOD3 solution was released last year and integrates a ground-based track system that allows the printer to extend along the Y-axis, ideal for multi-building projects.
The housing project, designed by SAGA Architects, intentionally strikes a balance between function, aesthetics and sustainability. On the sustainability front, the use of construction 3D printing has reduced material waste substantially compared to conventional construction approaches. Moreover, the site layout was designed in such a way that it respects its natural verdant surrounding: only 5% of the trees on the building site had to be cleared for the build to take place.
From a functional perspective, each student accommodation will feature a full kitchen, lounge, bathroom, double bed and a study area. Students will also have access to shared courtyards. Aesthetically, the housing design emphasizes elements like natural materials and light. For instance, each apartment unit features large roof windows and slanted ceilings designed to let light pour in. Materials like coated plywood and glass also contribute to a warm yet open environment.
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Author: Tess Boissonneault
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