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3D Printing Construction

Making homes and schools accessible for the poorest countries

March 2021
Gallery 3D Printing Construction  1
Gallery 3D Printing Construction  1
01.

Identification

This solution aims to accelerate the provision of schools in one of the poorest countries in the world, Malawi. More than 36,000 classrooms are needed and thanks to 3D printing, all those buildings could be completed within 10 years. Through 14Trees, Holcim and CDC provide a solution to NGOs and international organizations which are currently delivering schools in that country. The solution is a printing service sold to organizations. Building design and construction execution is handled by the solution provider. This includes the manufacturing of Holcim 3D ink, and the operation of the printer, using only local staff. Pioneering in introducing 3D printing in Africa for the construction of schools and houses, 14Trees is now working on rolling out the solution in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

  • /
Label Date March 15, 2021
By Holcim
From Switzerland
Maturity stage Small scale commercialization
Looking For New clients
02.

Implementation Stories

3D Printing Construction by Holcim
Implemented by 14Trees in Lilongwe (Malawi) in 2020

The project – 3D printed house in Lilongwe, Malawi – was built in November 2020 to demonstrate the technical feasibility of 3D printing technology for residential houses. This Solution could tackle the lack of low-cost houses and schools constructions in the country. The 3D printed house had 36 m2 of floor area and consisted of 3D printed, double layer walls and a roof relying on steel trusses.

Result

The cost of construction is reduced by 20% & co2 emissions by up to 70% compared to kiln fired bricks

3D Printing Construction by Holcim
Implemented by Malawi in Salima district (Malawi) in 2021

The world’s first 3D-printed school has just opened in Malawi, created by the Labeled Solution 3D printing Construction by Holcim. This school was built in record time, with the walls 3D printed in just 18 hours. This technology can also reduce the building’s environmental footprint by more than 50%. Overall, this innovative 3D printing process significantly reduces the time, cost and materials used for building housing and schools. Globally, it has the potential to bridge the education infrastructure gap at scale.

Result

This technology can also reduce the building’s environmental footprint by more than 50%.

03.

The environmental benefits

  • The wall of a school can be printed in less than 18 hours and those of a house in less than 12 hours, meaning that from design to hand over, a project can be completed in less than two months for a school, and in less than a month for a house
  • Walls are printed with a width of 5 to 7cm which contributes to reducing by 50% the quantity of materials used
  • Use of 3D printing contributes to a 70% reduction in CO2 when compared with conventional methods (burnt bricks made school)
  • By printing homes, this solution saves 14 trees from being cut and burnt to fire the bricks (this is where the company name 14Trees comes from)
  • Thanks to the level of precision of 3D printing, material wastage on job site for wall construction is taken to almost zero compared to conventional constructions
04.

The Financial benefits

  • 3D printing is expected to be 20% cheaper than conventional methods when used in projects of several units
  • 3D projects are delivered up to 50% faster than conventional projects.
05.

Activity Region

  • /

Africa

Malawi,

  • Headquarters
  • Activity
06.

Company Profile

Holcim

Building progress for people and the planet

View company profile Solution website
Headquarters 6300 Zug, Switzerland
07.

Related Topics

Contact the Solution Provider Add to Favorites

The information set out above, is solely for the purposes of information and the Solar Impulse Foundation does not provide any guarantee as to its authenticity, completeness or accuracy. This information does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy into, transact or to enter into any agreement with any of the parties or persons mentioned above. Potential investors or interested parties are solely responsible for their investment or business decisions and for performing any due diligence required by the circumstances. The innovator Holcim has asserted ownership of the intellectual property rights for images, videos, and content showcased above, affirming full and unrestricted usage rights, and has provided explicit permission for the Solar Impulse Foundation to publish such information designated as "public" in the application form.