Ireland has unveiled Europe's first 3D-printed concrete social housing in Grange Close, Dundalk. This milestone project signifies a significant leap in construction technology, positioning Europe to catch up with the US in utilising 3D printing to address critical housing shortages. 

 

Project overview

The innovative housing project is a result of a collaboration between Harcourt Technologies (HTL.tech), material supplier Roadstone, Louth County Council & Louth & Meath Education and Training Board. 

The three two-storey, three-bedroom terraced houses were built over the course of six months between last May and November. 

Developers have said that the COBOD 3D construction printing technology used in the project automates the concrete laying process, resulting in time and cost savings, improved structural integrity, and the more efficient use of resources.

Using the COBOD International A/S BOD2 3D construction printer, the project comprises three three-bedroom homes, each spanning 330 square metres (1,184 sq ft). 

Ireland's housing crisis, driven by a decade of under-construction and rising demand, has reached critical levels, leading to widespread protests and influencing national elections.

The rapid construction made possible by 3D printing offers a promising solution. The homes in Dundalk demonstrate how this technology can address housing shortages by dramatically reducing construction time and costs. 

Efficiency and speed

The walls of the homes were printed in just 12 days, with the entire structure completed in 18 days. Cobod attributes these impressive time savings to the efficiency of 3D printing, which allows for meticulous pre-planning and faster execution. This method not only meets European Union masonry standards but also showcases the potential for scalability in addressing housing needs. 

Justin Kinsella, MD and co-founder of HTL.tech, highlighted the transformative potential of 3D printing in providing sustainable and efficient solutions to Ireland’s housing challenges. Cobod emphasised that 3D printing contributed to a 35% faster completion time compared to conventional methods, underscoring the technology's efficiency. 

Each of the three houses has a gross internal area of 110 square metres and an A2 energy rating.

In monetary terms, the company said the construction cost of each home was a little bit more than €250,000 excluding VAT and this equates to existing traditional construction costs. 

As the first 3D-printed social housing project in Europe, the Grange Close development sets a precedent for future housing solutions.

With countries like Sweden and Germany also experimenting with 3D-printed homes, this technology is poised to become a standard approach for addressing housing shortages. Governments across Europe may increasingly adopt 3D printing to deliver faster, more cost-effective housing solutions for low-income residents.