The Rise of 3D Printed Housing
Photo from PERI 3D Construction, Mense Korte Architekten
Tecla, the first prototype 3D-printed house made of clay, was built in April 2021. It was printed by a multi-levelled, modular 3D printer with 2 synchronised arms from a mixture of locally sourced materials such as soil, water, fibres from rice husks, and a binder; therefore being low carbon. The name Tecla was a combination of technology and clay and was designed by Mario Cucinella Architects, constructed and engineered by Wasp. It was printed in Massa Lombarda, Italy, made of 350 stacked layers of clay; arranged in a way that not only provides structural stability but also acts as a thermal barrier.
By using this technology, housing modules can be built within 200 hours (around 8 days) while consuming an average of six kilowatts of energy, reducing typical construction wastes almost entirely. This technology can also help labour shortages and broaden access to affordable housing. Also helping limit construction errors, as long as the data put into the printer is correct; providing new opportunities for new designs.
There are currently various 3D-printed housing projects. Ranging from 100 percent recyclable biodegradable material to tiny houses; “mid-century modernist ranch house aesthetics” to a two-story sustainable design that uses low energy floor, ceiling heating, solar panels and heat pumps.
All of these houses are eco-friendly, cheap, and have significantly more pros than traditional housing. The housing material, composites, can be strong as metal that can withstand sustained forces, impacts, and shaking; able to withstand high winds, float in floods and even be movable quickly and at low cost. Composites are also waterproof, resistant to mould and mildew; don’t lose strength in curves like other materials do, allowing more aesthetic designs without a cost. These are just a few of the many good things about this new type of housing.
With all these pros come some challenges; for example, a lack of engineers with the correct competencies; since 3D printers cannot use conventional blueprints, leading to few specialists showing interest in 3D-printed constructions. Building codes are the main challenge since there is no appropriate legislation or procedures created to obtain 3D-printed constructions licensed for home or commercial use. Lastly, the transformation of current construction professions is another challenge; since there are currently few jobs in the 3d printing industry, this technology also has the potential to eliminate a large number of current professions.
All in all, this technology has great potential for a better, sustainable future. Although still having a few challenges and obstacles to overcome. After all, this is still a young and developing industry; it will always be evolving and improving.
APA Bibliography
https://cobod.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-a-3d-printed-house/#:~:text=The%20main%20pros%20of%20a,broader%20implementation%20of%203DCP%20technology.
https://geoffnesnow.medium.com/can-3d-printed-composite-homes-help-us-survive-climate-change-55f37c78c37c#:~:text=Composites%20are%20waterproof%20and%20resistant,design%20again%20(and%20again%E2%80%A6)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_3D_printing#:~:text=Clay%20printing,-The%20Tecla%20as&text=In%20April%202021%2C%20the%20first,rice%20husks%20and%20a%20binder.
https://www.dezeen.com/2021/04/23/mario-cucinella-architects-wasp-3d-printed-housing/#https://builtin.com/3d-printing/3d-printed-house
