Durable and Affordable Home 3D-Printed in Only Five Days

This remarkable newly finished project demonstrates that 3D-printed homes can withstand extreme weather conditions and seismic activity. Constructed in just five days, it also cost significantly less than a traditional brick-and-mortar home.

Located in Almaty, Kazakhstan, this unnamed house is hailed as Central Asia’s inaugural 3D-printed residence. BM Partners designed it, and it was constructed using COBOD’s BOD2 model, the same model recognized for building Europe’s largest data center.

Robust Cement Mix for Seismic Resilience

The process of printing the home’s walls involved the COBOD 3D printer extruding a cement-like mixture in layers through a nozzle, similar to other 3D-printed architecture projects we’ve covered.

However, due to Almaty’s stringent seismic regulations, the team utilized an exceptionally robust cement-like mixture to ensure it could withstand local conditions and earthquakes measuring up to 7.0 on the Richter scale.

“In order to bolster the structural integrity of the building, BM Partners utilized a specialized high-strength concrete mix with a compression strength of nearly 60 MPa (8,500 PSI), significantly surpassing the 7-10 MPa (1,015-1,450 PSI) typically found in conventional brick and stone materials used in Kazakhstan,” COBOD explains.

Customized Concrete Formulations for Regional Needs

“This mixture, composed of locally sourced cement, sand, and gravel enhanced with the D.fab admixture—a collaborative effort between COBOD International and Cemex—allows for tailored concrete formulations to meet regional requirements. Given Kazakhstan’s extreme climate, ranging from minus 57 to plus 49 degrees Celsius (minus 70.6 to plus 120 degrees Fahrenheit), the building incorporates expanded polystyrene concrete for wall insulation, improving both thermal and acoustic performance.”

Adding Finishing Touches to the 3D-Printed Home

After the walls were finished, human workers took over to install windows, doors, and any necessary furnishings, completing the entire project—including furniture installation—within two months from the initial printer setup.

The interior spans 100 square meters (1,076 square feet) on one level, featuring a straightforward layout with ample glazing and a spacious living area. Currently serving as a showcase to demonstrate the potential of 3D-printed construction, the home was constructed in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

According to a COBOD representative, the total cost of the home amounted to approximately €20,500 (approximately US$21,800), significantly lower than the local average.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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