COBOD x PERI
The first social housing flats in Europe to be manufactured using 3D printing technology are being constructed in a town that was formerly a coal mine.
The first social housing apartment complex in Europe to be manufactured using 3D printing technology will be located in Lunen, a town in Germany that was formerly known for its coal mining. A total of six flats, each sized between 61 and 81 square meters (670 and 890 square feet), will be included in the publicly funded three-story structure. In order to 3D print the first and second storeys of the building in concrete layers, it will take a total of one hundred hours. In order to preserve the original form and texture of the printed concrete, the first two levels will be erected using a hybrid timber technology, and the third storey will be encased with facade panels. PERI, which makes use of printing technology developed by COBOD, is in charge of carrying out the project, which was announced when it was revealed in November 2023. Within the realm of construction, the usage of three-dimensional printing is undergoing a transition from experimental applications to more widespread uses and a larger variety of structures. According to Henrik Lund-Nielsen, who founded "This project continues the trend that we have seen in the last couple of years, where the technology has made some remarkable leaps forward, moving away from just being used for small houses on one floor to also being used for larger and larger projects with multiple floors."