Over the last decade, machines have migrated from printing clever 3D toys through more imaginative compact devices that include things as exotic as functioning firearms.
The excitement over 3D printed objects has spilled over to the possibilities of creating large objects, (needless to say using large printers). There are currently experiments world-wide to prove out the possibilities of economical house-building using such printers1.
Because government-supported ‘social’ housing is focused upon affordability for less affluent populations, it’s not difficult to imagine the attraction of inexpensive on-site 3D housing ‘manufacture’ extruded from a giant printing machine.
What kind of savings might trigger a surge of inexpensive, high-quality social housing? Potential savings are bandied about. Perhaps 50% better than conventional construction?
That’s a firm ‘maybe.’
Everywhere the technology is so new that experiments are by and large still underway to prove out the ‘printed house’ potential. Australia has recently joined the crowd with a project described in the following article. Printing/construction was due to start last month.
An aboriginal business is leading the construction project in Australia. Aboriginal leadership is unusual for social housing construction, despite significant interest.
Aboriginal communities have a great need for housing, particularly in remote communities. The result of the house-printing project in Australia should be of interest in other countries, for example, the United States and Canada.
The picture above shows a 3D printing project in the United States. The cream-coloured wall section that faces the viewer shows the promise of 3D house printing.
A horizontal line pattern is visible on the walls. The printer can create foundations, walls, and even roofs by extruding a building material2 as a continuous, precisely placed ‘toothpaste’ to create the basic structure of a house.
There are limits to this ‘on-site’ manufacturing. Printers are pretty good at foundations and walls, but can’t do glass windows.
Read more about Australia’s housing printer experiment in VoxelMatters: Australia turns to 3D printing for social housing
Footnotes
- For some examples try the category Modular Fabrication
- Concrete is commonly used in 3D printing. Other materials are also being tested. Try: Can Recycled Waste Build Dignified Houses For Homeless People?
