A third of Aussie homes could be 3D-printed by 2030

The climate in the red heart of Australia is among the toughest in the world. There is minimal shade, and temperatures typically fluctuate from -5 degrees Celsius in the winter to close to 50 degrees Celsius in the summer.

Not only is it difficult to obtain conventional building materials in this region, but its extremely dry weather makes it unsuitable for traditional housing.

According to Ahmed Mahil, co-founder and chief executive of Australian 3D-printing building and construction company Luyten: “What many people do not realise is that the 3D printing of homes and other buildings is already underway in Australia.

“In fact, we are building the first 3D indigenous housing project in the world.”

That project is currently underway in Australia’s Northern Territory and involves the building of a number of houses using 3D building and construction printing technology.

Mr Mahil believes 3D printing is about to transform the Australian construction industry, following the lead of other countries across the globe.

In 2016, the UAE became the first nation in the world to promote 3D printing in its building industry, establishing a 25 per cent goal by 2030. Other nations are imitating this practice.

Over in the US, the America Makes Forward initiative aims to promote the growth of additive manufacturing in the US.

The program will see the US government and international corporations supporting 3D-printing activities in a variety of ways.

With 3D printers, construction jobs that used to take months or even years to finish can now be done in just a few days.

Mr Mahil highlighted that the breakthrough 3D-concrete printing technology decreases construction waste by 60 per cent, manufacturing time by 70 per cent, and labour expenses by 80 per cent when compared to traditional construction methods.

Studies have also revealed that the technology can increase construction site efficiency by 60 per cent guaranteed cost savings, 300–500 times shorter execution times, and an 80 per cent total reduction in monetary expenses in concrete construction without formwork.

With this data in hand, it is difficult to deny that an increasing number of individuals, governments, and businesses will opt for 3D-printed houses and buildings over conventional construction techniques.

They can now construct a three-bedroom residence in as little as three days. The method involves printing the parts of the structure in two days and putting them together on the third day.

While work is currently restricted to more isolated areas, Mr Mahil expects that “it won’t be long before you start to see the building of 3D printed homes in suburban areas around the country as well”.

“Why pay a builder $800,000 for a new home, when a 3D printed home only costs a fraction of this,” he concluded.