News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
The world’s largest 3D construction printer has been installed at a school construction site in Doha, Qatar. Manufactured by COBOD International and operated in partnership with UCC Holding, the BODXL printer was unveiled at a special VIP event this week.
While most 3D printed construction projects we cover rely on cement-based materials to build structures layer by layer, a Dutch company is proposing an alternative method that uses bio-based composites to print compact homes and office spaces. The company, Silva.builders, recently erected its first official build: a 3D printed break shelter for Qbuzz bus drivers in the town of Oosterwolde, southwest of Groningen.
National Grid, a British multinational electricity and gas utility company, is working with Hyperion Robotics, a 3D concrete printing company, and the University of Sheffield on a UK-first trial to manufacture, install, and test 3D printed substation foundations, which have the potential to reduce construction-driven carbon emissions and reduce costs to consumers of network construction. This is part of National Grid’s commitment to leverage innovation to future-proof the network.
Researchers at the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUCA), in collaboration with international partners, have launched a groundbreaking initiative to develop sustainable construction materials from the rubble of war-torn buildings. The project, titled ‘Development of New Approaches and Construction Materials for the Restoration of Ukraine’s Damaged Infrastructure with Consideration for Environmental Sustainability’, aims to create advanced concrete mixtures for both 3D printing and traditional construction techniques.
According to UCL, a paper in Science Robotics has introduced Aerial Additive Manufacturing (Aerial AM) as a disruptive force in the construction industry. Developed by researchers from EPFL, Empa, Imperial College London, and University College London, the study explores how aerial robots equipped for 3D printing can address global housing and infrastructure challenges through scalable, sustainable solutions.
Coastal cities like Miami are urgently looking for solutions to help combat ecological issues like flooding and erosion. One particularly promising answer is the installation of advanced seawalls designed to protect the coast from the impact of waves and tides while still fostering aquatic biodiversity. Such is the solution being explored at Florida International University (FIU), where a team of architects and marine biologists has developed BIOCAP (Biodiversity Improvement by Optimizing Coastal Adaptation and Performance), a 3D printed modular tile system that can minimize wave impact along existing seawalls while promoting the growth of local marine species.
When we talk about concrete 3D printing generally, the larger the build volume the better. It makes sense: the technology is typically used for large-scale applications, like printing walls or architectural features, such as the recent 5,000-square foot expansion of a Walmart supercenter. But there are also areas where size is less important and where cost and accessibility are far higher priorities. Such is the case in many R&D labs, particularly when it comes to material development. To meet these needs, Indian 3D printing company Deltasys E-Forming has launched a new tabletop concrete 3D printer.
Dutch robotic concrete 3D printing specialist company Vertico fabricated a scale model of the DIAMANTI bridge, a cutting-edge architectural and structural prototype showcased at the 2025 Venice Biennale as part of the Time, Space, Existence exhibition organized by the European Cultural Centre.
This year’s Venice Biennale of Architecture marks the 19th edition of the international architecture expo and it’s been a particularly exciting one for those of us in the 3D printing industry. The curator behind this edition, architect and engineer Carlo Ratti, has said he is inspired by the idea that “architecture must harness all the intelligence around us” in order to “face a burning world.” This has come through in many of the projects we’ve seen, including the Canadian pavilion where a series of 3D printed living structures made from carbon-sequestering cyanobacteria are on display, and a 3D printed structure by MIT architect Nof Nathansohn that will grow over time.
Aectual and Hermès have joined forces once again, marking a renewed chapter in their ongoing exploration of how architecture and digital fabrication can elevate the world of luxury retail. This second collaboration is a continuation of a shared vision, where imaginative design meets meaningful storytelling. Through innovative techniques and creative synergy, both companies reaffirmed their dedication to crafting immersive retail experiences that captivate the senses and stir the imagination.