Global expansion of 3D concrete printing technology

The global adoption of 3D concrete printing (3DCP) technology is expanding across diverse residential sectors, ranging from luxury developments to rural housing.

In the United States, the builder ICON is scheduled to begin constructing 88 luxury homes and duplexes in Texas. European projects demonstrate the technology’s capacity for scale and height, including a 14.14-meter-high tower in France and the ViliaSprint² project, noted as the largest 3D-printed apartment building in Europe.

Recent developments in Denmark highlight the technology’s shift toward large-scale residential applications. In Holstebro, SAGA Space Architects and MS+ Arkitekter completed ‘Skovsporet’, which consists of 36 student apartments across six buildings. Utilizing a COBOD BOD3 printer, the project achieved increased efficiency, with printing times for later clusters dropping to five days. The development emphasizes sustainability, using lower-carbon concrete and experimental elements that offer an “84% reduction in CO2 emissions” while preserving 90% of the site’s existing woodland.

In China, the technology is being applied to rural residential construction, such as a 106-square-meter residence in Wujiazhuang, to provide quicker and more cost-effective housing. Meanwhile, in Argentina, the startup Grondplek is utilizing 3D printing for rapid construction, claiming the grey structure of a 120 m2 house can be completed in 48 hours. Similar advancements have been noted in Japan and the United States, where the technology is being applied to commercial spaces and entire residential neighborhoods.