Published on November 1, 2024 by Julia S.
In a historic milestone for construction in Chile, the country’s first 3D printed house has been inaugurated in the Biobío region. The project, known as Casa Semilla, marks a significant advance in the adoption of new technologies in the housing sector, with the use of 3D concrete printing as the central axis. The house is the result of a collaboration between the Universidad del Bío-Bío and the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) in charge of financing.
The housing situation in Chile is a growing problem that affects hundreds of thousands of people. According to data published by the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism at the end of 2023, the country has a quantitative housing deficit of 554,046 homes. That is to say that a little more than half a million houses are “unrecoverable housing or overcrowded nuclei.” This situation is aggravated by the increase in construction costs and the scarcity of available land. The deficit not only reflects the need for more housing but also for solid solutions that make it possible to build more quickly and affordably. Faced with this challenge, technologies such as 3D printing with concrete emerge as a possible answer to reduce the housing gap.
Photo credits: Ahora Biobío
Key Points of the Project
The construction of the walls of the Casa Semilla took only 29 hours, with two additional days for installation. This reduced time represents a breakthrough in construction efficiency and reinforces the viability of this technology for future buildings. The design of the house follows circular economy and carbon-neutrality principles, making it a model of sustainability. In addition, the house has been designed to be seismic-resistant and with optimal thermal properties, allowing it to be installed in any region of Chile, a country known for its seismic activity and diverse geography.
One of the pillars that made this breakthrough possible is the Atenea-UBB industrial printer, the most advanced of its kind in Latin America, along with the KUKA KR120 industrial robot. This equipment, funded by ANID, has enabled the creation of 3D printed structures, from street furniture to full-scale columns and walls.
This type of technology, driven by academics from the university’s Faculty of Architecture, Construction and Design, has allowed Chile to position itself at the forefront of additive construction in the region. By 2023, the team had already printed a 2.20-meter-high surveillance booth, demonstrating the team’s capabilities for projects of various kinds.
Photo credits: BioBío Chile
Innovation and Collaboration
The rector of the Universidad del Bío-Bío, Benito Umaña, emphasized that this project is the result of years of research and interdisciplinary work and declared: “we have all the capabilities to develop this type of project and contribute to the development of the region and the country, as we could contribute to the reduction of the housing gaps that exist today.” The project had the participation of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as the collaboration of private companies such as Cementos Bío Bío, SIKA-Chile and Ventanas Tehmco, demonstrating how university research can generate synergies with the private industrial sector.
The Seed House is not just a prototype, but a glimpse into the future of construction. The house will be open to the public for one year, with the objective of offering a space where the practical applications of 3D printing in the housing sector can be explored. In this way, more people and students will be able to take a closer look at this innovative technology that promises to transform the construction landscape in Chile.
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*Cover Photo Credits: Ahora Biobío
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Publish date : 2024-11-01 04:11:00
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