China's construction industry is exploding, and 3D-printing is the catalyst.
Buildings are faster, cheaper, and greener in the 21st century.
10 houses sounds like a lot to build in one twenty-four hour period. Maybe for a traditional construction crew, but for China’s WinSun construction agency armed with 3D printers, the job is a piece of cake. They were in fact able to accomplish this last year, and their abilities have only improved since then.
Buildings are faster, cheaper, and greener in the 21st century.
10 houses sounds like a lot to build in one twenty-four hour period. Maybe for a traditional construction crew, but for China’s WinSun construction agency armed with 3D printers, the job is a piece of cake. They were in fact able to accomplish this last year, and their abilities have only improved since then.
This week the Chinese firm completed the world’s tallest 3D printed building, a five story apartment building, and the world’s first 3D printed mansion. The company uses a mix of traditional construction crews and a six meter tall 3D printer to erect these buildings in record time. The parts are printed on site, and then assembled by workers like giant 3D puzzles.
The buildings are made of a mix of concrete, recycled materials, and binding agents. That’s right; the buildings are environmentally friendly, and cost effective. This breakthrough in 3D printing could represent the future of construction, barring any unforeseen problems.
WinSun says they plan to continue to expand their 3D printing capabilities, completing more projects in less time. They even plan to build a 3D printed skyscraper. These ambitious plans parallel China's rapidly growing economy and urbanizing population. Western companies will likely start to consider 3D printing a viable option for construction as these examples prove that the technology can be green, cheap, and fast.
WinSun says they plan to continue to expand their 3D printing capabilities, completing more projects in less time. They even plan to build a 3D printed skyscraper. These ambitious plans parallel China's rapidly growing economy and urbanizing population. Western companies will likely start to consider 3D printing a viable option for construction as these examples prove that the technology can be green, cheap, and fast.
In a country whose population is still largely rural, this lightning fast building could represent a solution to problems caused by natural resources, labor, and pricing, in bringing China’s agricultural mainland into the 21st century.
-Nicholas Farrell, Editor in Chief
-Nicholas Farrell, Editor in Chief