DECEMBER
2019
LAURUS
LAURUS INSIGHTS: HOW IS 3D PRINTING TRANSFORMING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? www.laurusprojects.com.au
NOVEMBER 2019
HOW IS 3D PRINTING TRANSFORMING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? AT LAURUS PROJECTS WE ARE KEENLY INTERESTED IN KEEPING AN EYE ON THE FUTURE AND UNDERSTANDINGÂ HOW OUR INDUSTRY MAY CHANGE, HOW WE CAN BEST ADAPT TO THE CHANGE AND EVEN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
It was just a few short years ago when being
There are plenty of ways that a 3D printer can
able to own a 3D printer on a commercial
assist in the construction field and many
basis was almost impossible. But with prices
businesses are starting to implement the
dropping as technology improves, it is now
technology and seeing benefits to their overall
more accessible for both small and large
profit margins.
businesses.
DECEMBER 2019
Green Construction
Increased Project Planning Efficiency
As the demand for eco-friendly homes build,
Everyone in the construction industry knows
the development of eco-friendly properties will
that one of the most important parts of every
start to happen more quickly. While it may not
project is the design; and one of the biggest
be possible right now, 3D printing does offer
delays is of course finding problem areas once
future benefits of being able to essentially print
construction has started. 3D printing allows for
building materials. It is a big advancement and
relatively inexpensive models to be created,
companies are starting to work on developing it
providing not only a visual of the overall project,
further. In 2019, Business Insider Australia
but a chance to evaluate for problem areas that
reported that architectural start-up Branch
may cause delays.
Technology, “developed a prototype of a 92 square metre 3D-printed home”. The cost was of
Meeting Client Expectations
course quite high, at around $410,000, due to developing technology, but costs are certain to
This point is of course one of the biggest
come down as the technology is developed
benefits to introducing 3D printing to your
further.
construction business. There are plenty of times when a customer hasn’t clearly expressed their
They also reported that in early 2019, “New
needs or can’t quite explain what they want. 3D
Story, a housing non-profit based in San
printing allows for the client’s idea to become
Francisco and ICON, a construction-technology
something more than just a drawing on paper.
company that designs 3D printers, unveiled what they said was “the first permitted, 3D-
3D printing allows you to get on the same page
printed home in America.” It was a 32 square
as your customer, bringing their ideas to life,
metre building that cost under $14,000 and
albeit in miniature form, ensuring that everyone
took 48 hours to build.
is working towards the same goal.
They also noted that “at the time, the printer
3D printing technology is streaming ahead, and
was running at only 25% speed so there is
it won’t be long before construction companies
certainly some room for improvement, with the
across the country are adding the technology to
companies calculating they could build a 55-75
their business models. With the ability to only
square metre home in 24 hours for $5,500 USD
meet clients needs in a more efficient manner,
or less.“
produce
more
eco-friendly
homes,
and
potentially one day produce homes much Imagine the possibilities once the technology is
quicker, the traditional construction industry is
available on a wider scale…
certainly set for a shake up in the years to come.