3D printing technology is rapidly expanding beyond recreational or scientific use. New materials and equipment are allowing designers all over the world to create structures that blend art, sustainability, and technology. Where will these new building techniques take us?

What is the appeal of 3D-printed architecture?

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, provides new and exciting design options through complex geometric shapes and innovative materials. Globally, architects and building firms are finding ways to test the possibilities of large-format 3D printing. In Amsterdam, the stainless steel MX3D Bridge is a beautiful example of multi-axis 3D printing. This fully functional pedestrian bridge demonstrates the potential of 3D-printed structures. It serves both an aesthetic and practical purpose.

On a larger scale, Dubai Municipality set a world record with its two-story 3D-printed office building. Dubai has committed itself to promoting this form of architecture with a certification program and a building strategy to increase the number of its 3D-printed buildings by 25% by 2030. The increasing number of projects using additive manufacturing has also led to the invention of new materials to enhance the process.

What materials are used in 3D-printed buildings?

While traditional 3D printing relied on plastic polymers, people can now use 3D printing with materials like ceramics, metals, and concrete. As new materials are developed, 3D-printed buildings and structures will continue to improve. At MIT, engineers have developed reusable, 3D-printed glass bricks that can handle the same pressure as a concrete block. These bricks interlock like children’s building blocks.

If a structure built with these materials needs to be moved or demolished, the blocks can be taken apart and reused or refashioned into another shape. Artists and architects are embracing the experimentation 3D printing allows. They’re testing the technology's limits by incorporating more natural materials, like clay, into their designs. These new materials do more than create visual interest. They also help 3D printing become a more eco-friendly building option.

What is the environmental impact of 3D-printed architecture?

Large-format 3D printing can reduce the carbon footprint of building projects. There’s less need for transporting traditional building materials, and it reduces the use of screws and nails. Building a 3D-printed structure requires less overall waste and energy. As more people and businesses search for eco-friendly building alternatives, the interest in 3D printing grows. According to MIT’s Sustainability Hub, 3D-printed homes will produce lower carbon emissions over their lifetimes than standard stick frame homes.

Using low-carbon concrete for large-scale 3D printing further reduces the carbon footprint. With these benefits in mind, design and building firms, like ICON in Austin, Texas, are developing their own concrete mixes. ICON uses a low-carbon, fast-printing concrete called CarbonX to build energy-efficient homes. Adapting 3D printing for both public and residential uses will enable communities to grow with less harmful effects on the environment.

How will advances in 3D printing technology influence housing trends?

Perhaps no area of 3D-printed architecture has more opportunity for growth and innovation than home design. The demand for affordable, sustainable houses is driving the development of additive manufacturing homes. These homes offer energy efficiency and reduced cost in addition to unique design. There are two different methods for creating 3D-printed housing. One is to use large, on-site printers to build the structure layer by layer.

The second is building modular homes by printing pieces off-site and assembling them at the location. German company Mense-Korte built the country’s first 3D-printed house. It took 8 months of printing concrete to build the three-bedroom, three-bath smart home. This example of the capabilities of on-site construction even includes a fireplace and balcony.

However, the modular method is growing in popularity. Prefabrication affords control over physical conditions and allows homes to be constructed more quickly, reducing costs. Traditional modular homes have been built this way for years, allowing 80%-90% of a house to be created off-site. Now, additive manufacturing companies are seeing results with a similar process. California-based Mighty Buildings produces 3D-printed modular home kits. These zero-net-energy kits are being used to create a housing development in Desert Hot Springs, California.

These homes include many standard features homeowners expect, like patios and decks, but they also include accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The inclusion of ADUs offers residents an opportunity for rental income or additional housing for ageing family members. As design and building firms develop new processes for including 3D printing in private residences, their designs will influence even more people.

Embracing the future with 3D-printed designs

3D-printed architecture combines innovative design, technology, and materials. It offers opportunities for experimentation that combine traditional building concepts with newer, more complex forms. It also addresses more than just aesthetic needs. Its sustainability and cost-efficiency speak to today’s housing and environmental concerns. As we look to the future of architecture, 3D printing is here to stay. It will inspire designers all over the world for years.