Dubai is the most populous city in the UAE. It already has the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which has 160 floors and a height of 2,717 feet.
Today, the city has a new architectural feat: the largest 3D printed building in the world. This building will be used as an administrative office by the local municipality.
These photos show the construction process of this innovative structure.
Dubai now has the world’s largest 3D printing building. The city has a record of constructing luxurious landmarks to attract tourists and is also home to the tallest buildings in the world. This 3D printed office building is an engineering feat, requiring only three workers and a printer. The city plans to have a quarter of the buildings in the city completed by 3D printing by 2030.
According to Reuters, in 2016, Dubai became the location of the world’s first 3D printed office building. Now, the city is also home to the largest 3D printing building in the world. The American company Apis Cor completed the construction with only a 3D printer, which was loaded and unloaded on site by cranes.
The two-story administrative building will be used by the Dubai Municipality. The entire building only needs three workers, plus printers to complete.
The 3D printed wall is placed on a concrete foundation and reinforced with more traditional steel bars and more concrete building materials. According to Curbed, contractors were also invited to install the windows and roof of the building.
According to Api Cor, the building is 31 feet tall and occupies 6,900 square feet, making it the largest 3D printed building to date. It is not only the largest 3D printed building in the world, but the government of Dubai also said it is the first 3D printed two-story building. The Dubai government stated that the building is a step towards sustainable development in the area, using local materials and efficient insulation materials to reduce energy consumption.
Dubai plans to continue to innovate in this area. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the City of London’s goal is to 3D print 25% of its buildings by 2030.
