Katharina Regenthal

May 9, 2023, 1:55 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

While others are still creating small items like wrenches, brackets, and similar objects with a 3D printer, an entire house is being built in Heidelberg using an oversized 3D printer. The real estate company Kraus Group, along with other local companies, is constructing what they claim to be the largest 3D-printed building in all of Europe. The duration of the work and the number of employees involved are comparatively low.

Update from 01/30/24: The 3D-printed building is now complete–here’s what it looks like.

Layer by Layer, an Entire Building Emerges

The 3D building is set to be completed in just 140 working hours, with construction running from April to the end of July. Layer by layer–just like with regular 3D printers–the building material is applied.

Unlike typical construction sites, the 3D printer construction site is relatively quiet. There are only a few workers, who do not need to physically intervene but instead monitor and oversee the process via computers on-site. This method addresses ongoing challenges such as labor shortages or stagnant productivity. It also allows for safer working conditions on the construction site, as fewer people and trades are present, according to Kraus Group.

Currently, 3D printers can only construct buildings up to three stories high. High-rises or bridges are not yet feasible with this technology, but the real estate company believes this could be possible in the future.

Also interesting: How can 3D printers be effectively used in the household?

Sustainability Takes Priority

Sustainability is a focus from the start of construction: A 3D-printed concrete, which is a mineral-based material that is 100 percent recyclable, is used. Additionally, less material is used overall because there is less waste. Slots and other recesses are already considered during the printing process, explains a spokesperson for Kraus Group to myHOMEBOOK.

The 3D printer building is 54 meters long, 11 meters wide, and 9 meters deep. It will also feature a unique, wave-shaped facade. In the future, it is set to house a data center. This video shows the construction of the 3D-printed building in time-lapse:

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Even after the building is completed, sustainability remains a focus: The waste heat from the servers in the computer rooms will be used directly for heating.