Dubai is all set to get the world’s first fully functional 3D printed building – a move which will position the emirate as a global technology hub in architecture construction and design
The building is the result of a partnership between Dubai and WinSun Global along with architecture and engineering firms Gensler, Thornton Thomasetti and Syska Hennessy.
The new office will be approximately 186 sqm in size and will be printed layer-by-layer using a 20-foot tall 3D printer, then assembled on site in Dubai in a few weeks, said project officials. All interior furniture, detailing, and structural components will also be built using 3D printing technology, combining a mixture of Special Reinforced Concrete (SRC), Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (GRG) and Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP).
According to the officials working on the project, the combination of the three materials will make the office the most advanced 3D printed structure ever built at this scale and the first to be put into actual use.
Located at a busy intersection in the heart of Dubai, the ‘Office’ will be the venue for several public events. In addition, the new building will also feature a small digital fabrication facility and a 3D printing exhibition space.
UAE National Innovation Committee chairman Mohamed Al Gergawi said, “This project reflects the vision of our leadership here in Dubai. We are keen to use the latest technologies to simplify people’s lives and to serve them better. This project is part of our overall innovation strategy to create new designs and new solutions in education, healthcare and cities. Our goal is to increase the happiness and wellbeing of our residents and to pioneer new solutions for the world.”
The project is the first major initiative of the ‘Museum of the Future’, launched earlier this year by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.
According to experts, 3D printing technology could reduce the production time of buildings by 50 to 70 per cent, reduce labour costs by 50 to 80 per cent, and save between 30 and 60 per cent of construction waste. These savings translate to enhanced productivity, higher economic return, and increased sustainability.
