Dubai plans a 3D printed office building

Dubai - Dubai plans to become the first in the world to build a small office building using a 3D printer. The new technology is expected to reduce costs and save time, Reuters reported.
    In 3D printing, three-dimensional printers are used to print three-dimensional objects from digital designs. This method is beginning to be implemented in the manufacturing industry worldwide, but it has been used very little in construction so far.
    A single-story prototype building in Dubai will have a floor area of approximately 185 m². The building will be printed layer by layer using a printer that is 20 feet (6.1 meters) tall. These layers will then be assembled on-site within a few weeks. Furniture and structural elements will also be created using the 3D printer. Materials used will include reinforced concrete, plaster reinforced with glass fibers, and plastic.
    The project was created through collaboration between Dubai and the Chinese company Winsun, which was a pioneer in using 3D printers for building houses. According to studies, the new technique could reduce construction time by 50 to 70 percent and labor costs by 50 to 80 percent.