Largest 3D-Printed Building In Europe Takes Shape Of A Unique, Winding ‘Shell’
With Dubai soon to welcome the world’s first 3D-printed mosque and a 65-acre hotel campground getting a 3D-printed makeover in the Texas desert, it’s safe to say 3D-printing technology has come a long way.
Now, Europe will welcome its largest 3D-printed building in Heidelberg, Germany. The project, which has yet to be named, will feature a winding, wavy exterior with a texture that’s reminiscent of a seashell.
The site will be used as a data center to host cloud-computing infrastructure. According to New Atlas, the 177-foot long, 36-foot wide, and 29.5-foot tall structure was built using the same COBOD BOD 2 printer that created a two-story house in Antwerp.
This project is a collaboration between real estate agent Kraus Gruppe, 3D printing firm Peri 3D Construction, architectural agency SSV Architekten, and planning office Mense-Korte Ingenieure + Architekten and DAW (Caparol, Alpina).
Much like other 3D-printed buildings, the structure will be formed from a cement-like mixture that’s put together in layers following a digital blueprint. In total, the construction is expected to take 140 hours and will only require two on-site builders to monitor its progress.
After which, human builders will be tasked with installing roofs, doors, wiring, and interiors of the building. In terms of being eco-friendly, Kraus Gruppe said the structure will be recyclable and by using 3D printing, carbon emissions will be reduced by 55% compared to a standard cement site.
“In this unique project Peri is emphasizing two of the key benefits of 3D construction printing; speed of execution and design freedom,” concluded Henrik Lund-Nielsen, Founder and General Manager of COBOD.
