Qatar builds world’s largest 3D printed building using printers the size of planes
SMRTR summary
A towering 3D printer, the size of a Boeing 737 hangar, hums to life in the Qatari desert. This colossal machine is part of an ambitious project to construct the world's largest 3D-printed buildings: two public schools, each spanning 20,000 square meters.
The project, a collaboration between UCC Holding and Qatar's Public Works Authority, dwarfs previous records in 3D-printed construction by a factor of 40. Custom-built BODXL printers from Denmark's COBOD extrude specialized concrete, layer by layer, shaping walls that mimic the flowing dunes of the desert.
To combat Qatar's extreme climate, printing occurs primarily at night, improving structural integrity and reducing environmental impact. The team has spent eight months conducting over 100 full-scale test prints, fine-tuning every detail from concrete mix to nozzle design.
Expected to be completed by the end of 2025, these schools will not only set new benchmarks in additive construction but also reinforce Qatar's position as a hub for innovation and sustainable infrastructure.
SMRTR provides this summary for quick context. The original article belongs to Interesting Engineering.
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