COUNTRY FOCUS: KSA
ONE TO WATCH
S
audi officials have begun
studying the use of 3D-printed
houses as a way to solve
the housing crisis in the Kingdom,
which is expected to affect almost
1.5 million people during the next
five years. The homes are printed in
prefabricated panels, which are fit
together on site.
Saudi officials met with
representatives of WinSun
Decoration Design Engineering, a
Chinese company that specialises
in 3D printing, to explore the
possibilities of this technology and
to discuss how it could be used
by the Ministry of Housing and
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other government bodies, as well
as by research and development
companies.
The firm gave a presentation on its
skills and showed models for houses
that have already been built in a
number of countries, in addition to
a building that was opened in the
UAE last May. They also shared
information on the first 3D-printed
building in the Gulf — Future Office.
Following the high-profile meeting, it
was not clear whether a deal will be
signed to make this technology part
of the housing crisis solution in Saudi
Arabia.
The company’s representatives,
however, said the use of 3D technology
decreases the cost of labour by 70%
and decreases construction waste by
60%.
The technology mixes waste
construction material, glass, steel and
cement together to form the houses,
which is then sprayed on each surface
to form a solid wall. According to the
company, a unit can be printed in one
day, and a small house can be built in
just 30 minutes.
Dubai is the first city in the Gulf to use
this technology. It says by 2030, 25% of
its homes will be 3D printed.
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