The United Arab Emirates has constructed the world’s largest 3D printed building.
The two-story building is now officially in the Guinness world record
More specifically, the 3D printed building in the Al Warsan area of Dubai has been recorded in the Guinness World Records as the first largest 3D printed two-story structure in the world.
Dawoud Al Hajri, Dubai municipality director-general, told The National: “This project is a major turning point in the construction sector. 3D printing technologies in construction will increase the speed of execution and [result in the] completion of buildings in record time.
“This will reduce construction costs and contribute to the development of solutions to demographic challenges by reducing the number of construction workers.”
The building is printed 9.5 meters tall and has an area of 640 square meters. The 3D printing technology used in the construction of building resulted in up to 60% lower materials usage and considerably lower labor. It was also estimated that this technology cuts construction costs by something like 60%.
Throwing Shapes
The building was printed on the site and meets all the relevant construction standards. The complex structure of the building truly tests the capabilities of the printer.
Mr. Al Hajri further commented: “Dubai’s 3D printing strategy aims to make it a global capital for this technology.”
Indeed, Emaar Properties – which was responsible for the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world by far – is planning a range of 3D-printed homes in the Arabian Ranches III development in Dubai. The idea is that customers will be able to “design, download and print” their own perfect home.
3D printing presents promising opportunities for the construction industry to become both greener and more cost-effective.
Elsewhere, it is clear that 3D printing will change construction forever. Whether this is in creating new aesthetic structures or providing low-cost housing, the buildings of the future are likely to look much different than those of today.
3D printing has many diverse applications, but it seems to be increasingly clear that construction will be a big part of the future for this technology.