The world’s first habitable 3D-printed homes are to be built in Eindhoven, the Netherlands – a step which developers hope will help transform the construction industry
The five 3D-printed concrete homes will be created later this year as part of Project Milestone, a joint venture between the Eindhoven University of Technology and various partners who will ensure the houses meet living standards and can be occupied.
A spokesperson for the university said: “The project is the world’s first commercial housing project based on 3D concrete printing.
“The houses will all be occupied [and] they will meet all modern comfort requirements.”
It is not the first time a 3D-printed home has been developed, although all previous attempts have been prototypes or part of research projects.
The first house built through Project Milestone will be single story but the team eventually hope to build houses up to three stories tall using the construction technique.
Initially, parts will be printed offsite at the university but the intention is to shift the entire operation to the construction site.
The group responsible for Project Milestone previously printed the world’s first 3D-printed concrete bridge, which is currently used by cyclists in the Dutch village of Gemert.
The team said that the precise nature of 3D-printing means less building materials are wasted during the construction process, while also making it easier to customise houses to meet individual wishes.
“3D printing of concrete is a potential game changer in the building industry,” a spokesperson for Eindhoven University of Technology said.
“Besides the ability to construct almost any shape, it also enables architects to design very fine concrete structures. Another new possibility is to print all kinds, qualities and colours of concrete, all in a single product.”
