The six-unit building took just 118 hours to 3D print, while the entire project, from start to finish, took about 1.5 years to complete. In future, as the construction 3D printing process becomes more standardized and integrated with conventional construction methods, one could envision homes being built at even more rapid rates.
WBG Lünen, a housing cooperative in Lünen was the key force behind the project, as it wanted to demonstrate construction 3D printing’s potential not only for building novelty structures or ultra-design-focused spaces, but also for standard, liveable homes.
The development reportedly cost 1.9 million euros, making the 3D printed housing more expensive than a conventionally built counterpart, however, that is somewhat to be expected for the first build. According to Jan Hische, a board member of the housing association, he expects there would be cost and time benefits for a standardized housing development with many identical structures.
For the tenants of the social housing development, however, the living cost will be kept low. The monthly rent prices will be six euros per square meter (or 366 to 486 euros per apartment). Besides the affordable rent, the new tenants seem to be enjoying living in such a unique spot. Constanze Lippmann told German media she thought the 3D printed home was extraordinary and only wished that more elements inside the apartment, such as the bathroom, also had the 3D printed look.
The German social housing project is among the first of its kind. Also recently, in Ireland, a 3D printed social housing project was completed, and more are underway in Australia and beyond. You can read more in a recent feature we wrote on the emerging trend of construction 3DP in social housing.
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