Apis Cor, a company specialising in 3D Printing for the construction industry, recently completed a 3D printed house delivered in 24 hours.
Using their mobile 3D printing technology the circular, single storey 38 sqm home was built in Stupino town, Moscow. Printing of self-bearing walls, partitions and building envelope were done in less than a day with pure machine time of printing amounted to 24 hours. After completing the wall structures, the printer was removed from the building with a crane-manipulator.
Here’s a summarised description of the construction process culled from the apis cor website.
How it was built: Technology, Materials and Cost
Construction
Construction is based on Apis Cor 3D printing technology — a unique equipment, which has no analogues in the world today: mobile construction 3D printer and automatic mix and supply unit.
A distinctive feature of the printer is its design, which is reminiscent of the tower crane, allowing the printer to execute the printing process of constructing the building both inside and outside. The printer has a small size, easily transportable and does not require long preparation before the commencement of the construction works because it has a built-in automatic horizon alignment and stabilization system. The printing process is automated as much as possible and almost eliminates the risk of human error.
Insulation and Roofing
The roof of the home is essentially flat, and able to withstand high snow loads, storm run-off and durability requirements. The roofing carpet is made of polymer membranes, whose patches are welded together with special equipment using hot air. As overlap insulation we used rock wool, a thermo-acoustic insulating material.
Windows
We installed double windows with climate control. Instead of regular glass these windows use 2 low emission glass panes which allows to significantly improves insulation, light permeability and heat gain.
Finishing
For the printed walls finishing we additionally used a mineral decorative plaster. The material has high adhesion and vapor permeability, excellent for internal and external finishing works. The composition of mineral plaster consists of white cement and ball-shaped marble and granite crumbs, so it can serve as an additional heat insulation and goes well with the thermal insulation systems. It can act as a top layer, especially if the insulation used is mineral wool. It also performs the function of a thin-layer decorative plasters on walls that do not require insulation and possesses good hydrophobic properties.
For painting of the entire building in a corporate yellow color we used high-quality exterior paint that is easy to apply and easily fills the roughness, after drying up it forms a solid matte surface without cracks, is eco-friendly and resistant to weather conditions.
Final Result
On the inside the printed house is no different from an ordinary one — cozy and comfortable. House interior includes a hall, a bathroom, a living room and a compact functional kitchen with the most modern appliances from Samsung company.
Construction Costs
The construction cost of the printed house amounted to $10134 (about N3, 190, 000), which is approximately $275 (N870000) per sqm, taking in account that partners have provided the highest quality materials, and building itself has a peculiar shape.
This cost includes all the works that were done to make a complete house: work and materials for the construction of foundation, roof, exterior and interior finishing works, installation of heat insulation of walls, windows, floors and ceilings.
A square house made using materials of an average price category would be even cheaper ≈ $223 per square meter.
- Foundation: $277
- Walls: $1624
- Floor and roof: $2434
- Wiring:$242
- Windows and doors: $3548
- Exterior finishing: $831
- Interior finishing (incl. suspended ceiling): $1178
- TOTAL: $10134