“Office of the Future”
On May 23rd 2016, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai inaugurated the “Office of the Future”, an entire building literally printed by one of the most advanced technologies of 3D printing.
First in the world, The “Office of the Future” is first 3D-printed building of its kind. A 3D-printer measuring 20 feet high, 120 feet long and 40 feet wide was used to print the building. The printer features an automated robotic arm to implement printing process. The entire structure was printed using a giant cement printer, then assembled on site. Printing took 17 days and was installed on in 2 days. Subsequent work on the building services, interiors, and landscape took approximately 3 months.
The initiative dates back to April 2016 and aims to improve the lives of the residents of the Emirates. The vision is to use 3D printed buildings for 25% of the urban sector by 2030.
“With 3D printing technology, to be implemented locally using international expertise, we are also supporting the vision of the leadership to build ‘smart and sustainable cities’ that are tech-driven and meet the aspirations of the new generation of customers. It will also help accelerate the innovation ecosystem in Dubai, inspiring start-ups to contribute towards advanced construction technology.” said Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties.
Building
And today, October 23rd 2019, the Dubai Municipality reveals a new printed building. Located in the Warsan area, in the heart of the Emirate, the two-storey building measures 640 sq. m in area, and is 9.5m high and it will be used as an innovation centre.
The building was constructed – or printed – in a year’s time, and a project of this nature can cost anything between Dh800,000 to Dh1 million, which is 50 per cent lower than the cost of construction using conventional methods. 3D printing lets to cut real estate labour costs by 50-80 per cent and construction time by 50-70 per cent.
“This building is the first of its kind. Since we’ve overcome many of the initial challenges, we can now reach completion of a building of this kind in three months. The manpower used while 3D printing a building is also 50 per cent lower than the force needed in a conventional building” said Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality.
#DubaiMunicipality unveils the largest 3D printed two-story structure in the world. Located in the #WarsanArea, Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of @DMunicipality revealed the building to members of the media on October 23. Photos by Dhanusha Gokulan /Khaleej Times pic.twitter.com/xBgkCZVA7a
— Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) 23 ottobre 2019
