Are 3D printed buildings the future of sustainable construction?

As the industry focuses on green building to alleviate environmental stresses caused by construction – the sector uses 48% of global energy, depletes natural resources and is responsible for 38% of global greenhouse gas emissions – professionals Construction companies around the world are looking for ways to make their efforts more sustainable.

As a result, some companies are turning to 3D printing as a possible solution to current construction methods to mitigate environmental impacts, reduce energy consumption, increase efficiency and achieve cost savings.

Let's discuss the benefits and challenges of 3D printed buildings and whether or not they are the answer to the problem of sustainable construction.

The benefits of 3D printed buildings in sustainable construction

Compared to traditional buildings, 3D printed buildings have some significant advantages.

1. They are efficient. In fact, Habitat for Humanity and Alquist 3D recently built a 3D printed home in 28 hours, which is typically a four-week project for the organization. It wasn't a small house, either—the 3D-printed building was 1,200 square feet, had three bedrooms, and two bathrooms.
2. They are affordable. With optimizations to save materials, 3D printed buildings reduce the demand for cement, lower energy consumption and improve efficiency. With the 3D printed building mentioned above, Habitat for Humanity reduced overall construction costs by 15% per square foot.
3. They are green. Companies can collect printing materials from local sources and recycle any industrial and construction waste. With a smaller carbon footprint and lower environmental impact, 3D printed buildings can help significantly reduce waste in industry. This graphic is an excellent demonstration of how 3D printed buildings can lead to more sustainable building practices.
4. They are safe. 3D-printed concrete buildings are more durable than most traditionally constructed buildings, weigh less, and offer better resistance to earthquakes, extreme temperatures, floods, fires, and high-speed winds. Not to mention, they follow the same building codes, laws, and regulations as any other structure.

The challenges of 3D printed buildings in sustainable construction

Even with the benefits that 3D printed buildings can bring to sustainable construction, there are still some challenges to face.

1. A new design system: 3D printed buildings require the reconstruction of the existing architectural design systems we currently use. While we traditionally design buildings to meet the requirements of current construction processes and functions, the design for 3D printed buildings is very different. 3D printed buildings are constructed with special concrete, and it is up to industry professionals to consider the characteristics of these materials during the design process. So, for 3D printed buildings to become the future of sustainable construction, we need to rethink our existing architectural design systems and construction standards.
2. A more complex and involved process: creating 3D printed buildings requires multiple sectors (engineering, manufacturing, infrastructure, construction, etc.) to work together, and the process is more like producing a product in the manufacturing sense than than with traditional construction. This results in 3D printed buildings that require near-perfect precision and automation, which presents challenges for the manufacturing industry, especially for large machine tools.
3. High material requirements: 3D printed buildings have high requirements regarding construction materials. The high speed at which we can print, which is one of the biggest advantages of 3D printed buildings, means that we have to use materials that can solidify extremely quickly. The traditional building materials we currently use cannot meet this need and the industry still needs more R&D in this area if we are to create these buildings on a large scale.

A Look at Dubai's 3D Printed Building: The “Office of the Future”

The “Office of the Future”, designed to be the headquarters of the Dubai Futures Foundation, was one of the first showcases of what we can do with 3D printed buildings. It is a fully functional building, equipped with telecommunications, water, electricity and air conditioning systems.

• The 3D-printed building spans 2,700 square feet with offices for 16 people.
• It was printed in 17 days and installed in two.
• The project cost was $140,000.

The entire project team consisted of 18 people – Dubai authorities stated that the project reduced labor costs by 50% compared to a traditional project of the same scale.

Additionally, WinSun, a leader in 3D printed buildings, believes that 3D printing in construction can reduce labor costs by up to 80% and construction waste by up to 60%.

The Future of Sustainable Construction: Are 3D Printed Buildings the Answer?

We believe that 3D printed buildings have a bright future in an industry that is trending towards sustainable construction. However, the technology still has a long way to go.

Will we see large 3D printed commercial buildings in the coming years? Probably not, but creating affordable and durable housing with 3D printing in the near future is a realistic possibility – it's already being done, albeit on a small scale.

As logistical barriers are established and companies begin to address some of the challenges associated with 3D printing, we expect 3D printed buildings to become more popular in the future and lead the way towards sustainable construction by reducing the city's carbon footprint. industry and using more sustainable or recyclable materials.