Posts tagged: Construction 3D PrintingSustainability

Last September, we told you that the Czech construction company ICE was building the world’s first 3D printed cable car station. As ambitious and possibly far-fetched as that may have seemed, that project, the highest 3D-printed building, is now complete. The cable car station, designed by ATELIER3M, combines innovative design with sustainability, this project integrates prefabrication and on-site production to create a dynamic, functional structure that harmonizes with its natural surroundings.

The idea that some (or all) of the houses that burnt down in the dramatic LA fires will be rebuilt in concrete, possibly using 3D printing technology, may be strengthened by the revelation that Pikus is 3D printing all the concrete seating for a stadium, working with the specialists at HOK. While the stadium benches are being printed away from the final location, this large-scale concrete 3D printing level shows that the technology is now mature enough to undertake massive projects.

A 3D printed social housing development in Dubbo, Australia has been making significant progress. The project, which was announced this past summer, is spearheaded by the government of New South Wales and brings on local construction 3D printing company Contour3D, Crete-Tech Australia and Ash Group Holdings, an Aboriginal-owned organization specialized in sustainable housing.

Thousands of people experience homelessness every year in Austin, Texas. Fortunately, there are efforts underway to support these people by—as simple as it sounds—building housing for them. As part of this effort, construction 3D printing company ICON is once again teaming up with Mobile Loaves & Fishes, a local nonprofit that that has dedicated itself to supporting the Austin homeless community for nearly three decades, to build 100 more 3D printed homes in the Community First! Village.

Holcim Polska completed its first 3D printed concrete drinking water tank in Barczewko, near Olsztyn, Poland. This project, achieved in collaboration with GLOBTANK, COBOD International, and the general contractor EKO-WOD Kętrzyn for the investor ZWiK Barczewo, highlights Holcim’s emerging role as a leader in innovative additive construction technologies such as the BOD 3D printers.

Azure Printed Homes, a company 3D printing homes using recycled polymers, is expanding its operations by more than 100% – directly responding to the growing need for affordable and sustainable small home and ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) solutions. Launched in 2022, Azure Printed Homes is emerging rapidly as a category leader in the creation and production of high-quality small dwellings. Azure’s small houses and ADUs have been particularly successful due to their ability to use recycled plastic polymer as their primary building material.

Mega retailer Walmart has commissioned what is being recognized as one of the largest free-standing 3D printed commercial building in the United States. The large-scale construction 3D printing project, which spans nearly 8,000 square feet and is nearly 20 feet tall, was carried out in partnership with Colorado-based Alquist 3D, which specializes in robotic concrete 3D printing.

Researchers at ETH Zurich have pioneered a revolutionary robotic additive manufacturing technique – which they called impact printing – aimed at transforming the construction industry by using circular, low-carbon materials. This new method represents a significant leap forward in sustainable construction.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), whose mandate is to tackle poverty and reduce inequalities around the globe through sustainable development, is leveraging 3D printing in its next initiative. Specifically, the UNDP has acquired a construction 3D printer from Italian company WASP, which it will deploy in Colombia to construct buildings using locally sourced materials.

Construction 3D printing has long been heralded as a solution for building affordable housing and as the technology has advanced over the years, we are now starting to see that become a reality. The latest news on this front is coming out of Australia, where the government of New South Wales has announced its intention to use 3D printing to address a shortage in housing and build the first 3D printed social housing property in the Australian state.