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The innovative technology has been billed by one industry expert as a potential remedy for home owners looking to circumvent the myriad of issues presently plaguing the construction industry.
Ahmed Mahil, chief executive officer at Luyten 3D Concrete Printing, believes the method of construction, which can cost up to 70 per cent less than a normal build, should be adopted by the construction industry.
“Supply chain issues, rising labour costs, skills shortages, and the increasing cost of materials and finance are impacting the viability of many building and construction companies,” he said.
Moreover, 3D-printing technology “reduces 60 per cent of construction waste, 70 per cent of production time, and 80 per cent of labour costs when comparing [to] hands-on construction projects”.
“In addition, the technology is proven to increase construction site efficiency, with 60 per cent guaranteed costs savings, 300 to 500 times shorter execution times, and an 80 per cent total reduction in monetary expenses,” Mr Mahil said.
Luyten oversaw the first build of a 3D-printed home in the southern hemisphere when it constructed the “Heptapod” project in Melbourne in 2021, which was compliant with the Australian and New Zealand building code.
The project further ratified Mr Mahil’s position that 3D printing not only reduces construction costs but also saves considerable time, given that elements for the Heptapod project “were printed in two days and assembled on day three”.
Additionally, “3D-printed homes are not only cheaper and faster to build, they also enable you to change up to your design preferences at the click of a mouse”.
With other countries around the world having already mandated minimum build requirements for 3D printing for residential and commercial structures, he believes the time is ripe for Australia to follow suit.
Mr Mahil has previously predicted that by the end of the decade, up to 30 per cent of homes across Australia’s outback and isolated regions could be 3D-printed in a move that could mitigate the tough climates of the nation’s red heart.
Luyten has already embarked on a project of that nature. In August 2022, the company printed the “Warle Akweke”, the first-ever 3D-printed house in situ printed in an uncontrolled environment (outdoor conditions). It was also the first 3D-printed Indigenous housing project in the world.
