Europe’s first: affordable social housing is being printed on a 3D printer in Germany (photo)
The popularity of 3D printed construction continues to grow around the world, and another example of this is a new apartment building in Germany. The project incorporates advanced 3D printing technologies as well as wood and will be used to provide affordable social housing for the country’s residents.
3D printer manufacturer COBOD describes the project as Germany’s first social housing building to be printed on a 3D printer. It is being built in Lünen by Peri 3D Construction. The building will consist of three floors, each with two apartments for rent, subsidized by the local government. The area of the six apartments will vary from 61 square meters. m to 81 sq. m, and the total area of the building will be 651 square meters. м.
Structurally, the building will be a bit more complex than most 3D printed buildings. The first two floors will be built using a COBOD BOD 2 printer. The machine will perform on-site construction work by squeezing cement-like mixture out of a robotic nozzle in layers, creating a structural shell for the first two floors, following the drawing. The entire printing process is expected to take 100 hours.
The upper third level will be made of wood and installed by human builders. The exterior of the first two floors will feature an original concrete structure printed on a 3D printer with a characteristic ribbed appearance, and the upper wooden floor will be finished with facade cladding. In addition to the wooden floor and roof, the builders will also install windows, wiring, plumbing, and everything else.
“We are pleased to be able to demonstrate how quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively a 3D printer can create living spaces and the potential that is opening up in the multi-family segment,” said Fabian Meyer-Bretz, Managing Director of Peri 3D Construction.
“We are convinced that the technology is ready for widespread use on modern construction sites and especially in social housing projects.”
