A wave of innovation is sweeping across Australia’s housing sector, bringing with it the promise of relief for a market under pressure. In Perth, where house prices have reached a staggering $750,000 and available homes are scarce, a groundbreaking approach is taking shape. Robots are now building houses using 3D printing, a technology that could revolutionize construction and help alleviate the housing shortage.
The PLATYPUS X12, a giant robotic crane 3D printer, is making history in a serene Melbourne suburb. This cutting-edge machine is constructing Australia’s first multi-story 3D-printed house, a 350-square-meter, two-story structure. The printing process involves layering concrete to form the walls, showcasing the impressive capabilities of this technology. The home’s design incorporates sound-dampening walls, utilizing sophisticated acoustic methods. In addition, a pre-planned elevator core is being integrated into the structure, demonstrating the precision and versatility of 3D printing in modern construction.
What further amplifies the significance of this project is that construction has proceeded uninterrupted, despite the extreme summer heat in Melbourne, where temperatures have reached as high as 42 degrees Celsius. The 3D printer is powered by advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, allowing it to maintain exceptional precision and quality with every layer of concrete it prints. These layers play a crucial structural role, ensuring the durability and stability of the building, rather than merely serving an ornamental function.
As the leader of LUYTEN, the company responsible for developing this revolutionary 3D printing technology, Ahmed Mahil stands firmly behind the project’s capabilities. His commitment to the innovation is reflected in his decision to move into the 3D-printed home himself. By choosing to live in a house created using his company’s technology and robots, Mahil seeks to address the skepticism and mental hurdles that could hinder others from embracing this new form of housing.
Contec, a company in the northern Perth suburb of Tapping, is building a single-story home with 3D printing. The robots that Contec uses, similar to those in car factories like BMW and Mercedes, can assemble walls five times quicker than traditional bricklayers. Mark D’Alessandro, the company’s founder, highlighted that the aim of the technology is not to replace workers but to enhance and accelerate the construction process by offering support.
The statistics are a testament to why this technology is becoming so popular. In the Perth project, wall construction expenses are reduced by 25%, thanks to a more efficient use of materials and a reduction in the need for scaffolding and labor. LUYTEN’s system goes beyond this, slashing waste by 60%, shortening build times by 70%, and decreasing the number of workers needed by 80% when compared to standard construction practices.
Roger Cook, the Premier of Western Australia, considers 3D printing a key element in a broader strategy to alleviate the housing crisis. He notes that several companies are investigating innovative building techniques, including 3D printing. Cook adds that the government is also considering other options such as compact living spaces and flexible housing designs.
LUYTEN’s Melbourne project demonstrates a significant acceleration in home construction, with anticipated completion in a mere five weeks, a stark contrast to the typical eight to eleven months required for conventionally built residences. This innovative approach facilitates the creation of curved walls and complex 3D designs, features often difficult or impossible to achieve using traditional methods. The company has collaborated with Bollinger + Grohmann, international engineering specialists, and researchers from the University of New South Wales ARC Centre for Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing to guarantee the structural integrity and safety of these homes. Beyond residential applications, this technology is also being implemented in the construction of diverse structures, including park benches, sea walls, and warehouses, showcasing its versatility.
Amid Australia’s continuing housing crisis, robot-built homes are emerging as a potential solution, providing a faster route to cost-effective living spaces without compromising on modern design approaches. The federal government has also recognized the significance of this technology, with Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic visiting LUYTEN’s factory to observe its capabilities up close and explore its broader impact on the housing market.
