3D Print Your Construction Site

3D Print Your Construction Site

Construction by 3D printer isn’t something from science fiction or a trend piece of the future: WinSun in China is a company that just built the world’s first 3D-printed building in January. The 11,840 square-meter villa consists of nothing but 3D printed parts, except for such steel reinforcements and insulation local code laws require. The five-story building cost a total of $161,000 to fully erect.

While a form of this technology was first developed in the 60s, modern research and development into using 3D printing technology to make buildings began in 2004. Using two parallel rails and an XY printing gantry, 3D printed buildings are hailed as requiring lower labor costs, having less waste and being much quicker to build. They’re even touted as a way to build on Mars and the Moon.

While America doesn’t have any completed 3D-printed buildings as yet, it does have a castle, of sorts. The next time you’re in Minnesota, check out the 3D-printed castle made out of concrete. You can walk around and stand in it, though you probably wouldn't want to live in it. New York architect Adam Kushner seeks to build the first complete estate on a 3D printer, with four beds and even a pool.

Kushner is in fact taking things one step further. Rather than just printing out components, he’s planning to build the entire house in one go. Kushner easily received permission from local authorities to go ahead. The house isn’t a thought experiment to show curiosity seekers: It will have running water and electricity. It will be ready for occupancy. Kushner expects the total costs to be 45 percent less than a comparable house.

How much can your company save with 3D-printed components? The Chinese building in question saw 30-60 percent less waste, production time reduced by over half, and labor costs lowered by up to 80 percent. These giant savings not only open up a new world of inexpensive and adequate housing for all, they also offer a lower cost of entry and higher margin for small businesses in the construction industry.

What’s more, there’s a significant decrease in the environmental impact of new construction. Much of the Shanghai building was created from recycled materials. The filaments used in making 3D printing material come from cornstarch and sugar cane rather than traditional petroleum-based plastics. One house was even made out of a salt base. The energy involved in producing 3D printed materials is 60 percent more efficient than traditional methods.

Another business opportunity lies in selling plans for 3D printed houses. Once a house is designed, you can sell or lease digital copies of the plans to other firms. If you can become an industry leader in this incipient technology, you’ll have the mother of all head starts on your construction industry competitors.

While the 3D printed construction industry is still nascent Stateside, we’re rapidly approaching the day when building with printed components will be viable for your business. China’s WinSun plans to establish a U.S. factory within the next three years, so there’s time for your company to get in on the ground floor. It’s possible that 3D printing is poised to change the world. Will your company be there to take advantage? 

Nicholas Pell is a freelance small business and personal finance writer based in Southern California. His work has appeared on MainStreet, Business Insider, WiseBread and Fox Business, amongst others.