Home Applications & Case Studies Ireland builds Europe’s first 3D-printed social housing project in record time

Ireland builds Europe’s first 3D-printed social housing project in record time

Europe’s first 3D-printed social housing project has been successfully completed in Dundalk, Ireland. The three three-bay houses were built in just 132 days and mark an important milestone for the use of additive manufacturing technologies in the construction industry. The project demonstrates how 3D printing can help tackle the ongoing housing crisis in Europe.

The project is the result of a collaboration between Harcourt Technologies (HTL.tech), materials supplier Roadstone, Louth County Council and the Louth & Meath Education and Training Board. The BOD2 3D printer from COBOD International A/S, one of the leading providers of 3D construction technologies, was used. With a living space of 330 square meters each, the houses were not only built in record time, but also cost-efficiently. The walls of the buildings were printed in just 12 days and the entire construction phase took just 18 days.

Ireland’s housing shortage, triggered by years of undersupply and rising demand, has led to a crisis that is reflected in nationwide protests and political debates. The use of 3D printing offers a promising solution here by drastically reducing construction times and costs. According to COBOD, the construction time of the houses was 35 percent less than that of traditional methods. In addition, the construction complies with EU masonry standards, underlining the scalability of this technology.

Justin Kinsella, Managing Director of HTL.tech, emphasized that this project plays a pioneering role in Europe. It shows how 3D printing enables sustainable and efficient construction methods that can create urgently needed living space. Looking at similar developments in countries such as Sweden and Germany, there are many indications that 3D-printed buildings could play a greater role in the future.

The project in Dundalk is more than a technological experiment – it offers a viable solution to pressing societal challenges. As a pioneer of 3D printed housing in Europe, Ireland could create a model for other countries facing similar issues. The results underline the technology’s potential to fundamentally change the housing sector.


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