NSW Government drives innovation utilising 3D printing to deliver much needed social housing
Published: 12 August 2024
Released by: Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Housing
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The Minns Labor Government is pursuing innovative solutions to address the housing and homelessness crisis with the use of 3D printing to deliver more housing.
This groundbreaking method of construction aims to reduce costs and cut construction time by 50 percent and will be used to build the first social housing property of this type in New South Wales.
Housing affordability and availability are the biggest pressures facing the people of NSW. As social housing waitlists continue to soar, the implementation of this rapid construction method promises to significantly accelerate the delivery of desperately needed social and affordable homes across the state.
Construction is expected to be completed within 16 weeks, a stark contrast to the roughly 40 weeks required by traditional methods.
The NSW Government has engaged Aboriginal Sustainable Homes, who will work in partnership with Contour3D to harness 3D printing technology. Together, they will transform a vacant block of land in Dubbo into two two-bedroom duplexes, providing Aboriginal Housing Office tenants with a safe and secure place to call home.
3D printing produces significantly less waste, and the concrete mix uses eco-friendly, high-recycled materials to produce robust and energy-efficient homes with substantially reduced life cycle maintenance costs. This revolutionary technology heralds a new era in construction and could form part of the solution to provide homes sooner for people who need them most.
Construction of the first 3D printed social home in New South Wales is expected to commence in late September 2024.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
“Using cutting edge technology for this project is a prime example of the NSW Government’s commitment to ‘think outside the box’ by exploring every possible option when it comes to delivering more housing for those who need it.
“Utilising Modern Methods of Construction like this 3D printing technology is critically important to delivering social and affordable homes sooner, especially in regional and remote areas.
“Our government is leading the way with this project. The construction of a 3D social housing property is the first of its kind in the country. For it to be led by the AHO reflects their dedication to exploring new and efficient ways of building more quality homes for community.
“The success of this project will help to determine whether this construction method becomes one of the many ways we can deliver more social housing right across the state in a bid to help us tackle the growing crisis.”
Member of the Legislative Council, Stephen Lawrence said:
“This trial by the state government of 3D printing of social housing is very exciting. The results will be carefully examined and used to guide future use of the technology where appropriate.
“It is entirely appropriate for the state government to trial the use of this technology for larger scale building such as houses, where there is substantial evidence to suggest the technology is appropriate and represents value for money.”
Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Mathew Dickerson said:
“Dubbo Regional Council is supportive of this project that is embracing new ways of construction with the objective to boost housing availability in our region.”
Managing Director of Aboriginal Sustainable Homes (ASH) Brad Draper said:
“ASH is delighted to be involved in this project and applaud the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) for pioneering new ways to deliver social housing. As an Aboriginal company, we are proud to deliver these quality homes that will have far-reaching benefits for residents long into the future.
“ASH has a strong track record in working with the AHO and we look forward to delivering another successful project for the local community.”
Founder and CEO of Contour3D Nick Holden said:
“We're excited to showcase our innovative building method that prioritises sustainability, design freedom, and efficiency by bringing automation to the forefront of housing construction.”
The “technology company that builds” is Contour3D, established in 2020, which engineered its own 3D printer and developed a concrete mix, Contourcrete, with UNSW.
The company is collaborating with Group Architects and Dubbo Regional Council (DRC), the first Australian council to use 3D printing for its infrastructure.
A 148 sqm public amenities block in Dubbo (pictured) including the walls, roof and internal structure, was built last week in 25 hours using 25 tonnes of Contourcrete with its printer, Opus One.
According to Contour3D, the planned eco cabins for a site adjacent to Dubbo’s Western Plains Zoo are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the Australian climate and provide thermal control and a strong, durable structure.
“The vision for the park is to incorporate 50-100 spacious luxury 3D printed eco-cabins, large caravan areas with 3D printed ensuites, small water park, 3D printed kids’ playground, BBQ, kitchen and amenities facilities and sprawling landscaped areas,” the company stated.
“The cabins are designed to complement the landscape and be like nothing else ever seen in this market space.”
The DRC is looking at using the technology for housing, with land already allocated for a 3D housing project in the near future, according to ABC News. Earthworks on the holiday park site are expected to start this year.
Aboriginal Sustainable Homes (ASH) has been engaged by the state government to work in partnership with Contour3D to build two two-bedroom duplexes on a vacant block of land. The finished project will provide tenants of the Aboriginal Housing Office with homes.
“3D printing produces significantly less waste, and the concrete mix uses eco-friendly, high-recycled materials to produce robust and energy-efficient homes with substantially reduced life cycle maintenance costs,” the NSW government stated.
Construction of the Dubbo project has just started and is expected to take 16 weeks as opposed to 40 with traditional methods.
NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson, said: “The success of this project will help to determine whether this construction method becomes one of the many ways we can deliver more social housing right across the state in a bid to help us tackle the growing crisis.”
In July 2023, we reported on Contour3D’s 3D concrete-printed toilet block in Dubbo along with its plans to build up to 100 holiday cabins in central western NSW.
Image: The 3D printer arrived on-site in Dubbo last week. Source: ABC Western Plains, Ondine Slack-Smith.
Regional NSW council leads the way in 3D printing our housing future
14 August 2024 | Chris Roe3d-printed house An artist’s impression of the 3D-printed duplexes that will begin construction in Dubbo in September. Photo: Supplied.
A western NSW council is leading the way in innovative housing solutions, with the NSW Government backing the push to roll out the state’s first 3D-printed houses.
Aboriginal Sustainable Homes (ASH) will work in partnership with Contour3D to transform a vacant block of land in Dubbo into two two-bedroom duplexes.
The innovative step was made possible by Dubbo Regional Council’s decision two years ago to allocate land specifically for a 3D-printed prototype and to test the technology.
READ ALSO A 3D-printed dunny in Dubbo could hold the key to unlocking the Riverina’s housing crisis
“The idea was to reserve four blocks of land in a council-owned housing estate, and we just thought it made so much sense given that we’ve got a housing crisis,” he said.
“As we progressed forward, we needed to get our planning staff on board to make sure they could actually process a DA [development application] and then the opportunity came up for an amenities block that needed to be replaced.
“We thought it made a lot of sense to use 3D printing and it actually became a bit of a spectator sport watching the process.
“I think it really captured the imagination of many people and the proof was in the pudding.”
Dubbo City Mayor Mathew Dickerson (centre) opened the new 3D-printed amenities block in Dubbo in 2023. Photo: Supplied.
The project involved 25 tonnes of concrete over 149 sqm, the printing was completed in just 25 hours and the final product came in under the allocated budget.
Wagga City Councillor Richard Foley has been advocating for the Riverina to get on the front foot with 3D-printed houses and said he hoped local governments would take note.
“It’s fantastic to see that a regional council like Dubbo has taken the lead and it’s something I will continue to push forward to see if we can get it on the agenda,” he said.
“There are real solutions and cost savings here, not to mention how quickly you can get it done.”
Cr Foley works in the construction industry as a plasterer and said the technology would not have a negative impact on local tradespeople.
“We just don’t have people coming up as bricklayers anymore and it doesn’t put finishing trades or other trades out of work,” he said.
“We are now entering the third decade of the 21st century and we may need to discard some of the older ways and get on with the future.”
Construction of the first 3D-printed social home in New South Wales is scheduled to start in late September and is expected to be completed within 16 weeks as opposed to the roughly 40 weeks required by traditional methods.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said a more widespread rollout could form part of the solution to address the housing crisis.
“Utilising modern methods of construction like this 3D-printing technology is critically important to delivering social and affordable homes sooner, especially in regional and remote areas,” she said.
ASH managing director Brad Draper said it was an exciting project to be involved in.
“As an Aboriginal company, we are proud to deliver these quality homes that will have far-reaching benefits for residents long into the future,” he said.
“ASH has a strong track record in working with the AHO [Aboriginal Housing Office] and we look forward to delivering another successful project for the local community.”
- Are 3D printed houses cheaper?Though the price of a 3D printed house can vary significantly based on various factors, the short answer to this question is: Yes, 3D printed houses are cheaper. Using 3D printing technology as your building method can save costs in different domains, like labor hours, material usage, indirect costs, and certain steps from the traditional construction process that are omitted. 3D printed houses are, however, generally only cheaper when they are designed as a 3D printed house from the beginning. This way, you can make sure you enjoy optimal material usage and timelines.
- Are 3D printed houses safe?Yes, 3D printed houses are safe. Generally, they are safer than traditionally constructed homes. 3D printed houses meet and exceed virtually all building codes, and offer protection against natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. They also offer improved fire-resistance. 3D printed houses offer the safety you and your family deserve.
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