Dubai initiative 3D prints office workspace in 17 days

Researchers are constantly developing new and unique uses for 3D printing and the capabilities are endless. A 3D printed office building in Dubai is the newest demonstration of the vast potential of this technology.

© Dubai Media Office

A group of employees in Dubai are set to move into the 3D printed workspace that took only 17 days to print and two days to construct. How large did the 3D printer have to be in order to produce this life-size building? The 3D printer itself measured 20 feet high, 120 feet long and 40 feet wide and featured an automated robotic arm to implement printing process.

During the printing process, one person monitored the function of the printer while another group of seven people installed the building components. A team of 10 electricians and specialists took care of the mechanical and electrical engineering. As a result, the labour cost was cut by more than 50% compared to conventional buildings of similar size.

Additional mobile printers were located at the construction site, in addition to the use of advanced computers to help ensure quality control, facilitate the printing processes, and form effective and productive basement for different projects requirements.

The building was designed for actual use, taken into account the integration of a unique building design and 3D printing technology to offer key services within the building, such as electricity, water, telecommunications and air-conditioning.

The office space itself spans up to 250 square meters, while the exterior reflects a futuristic design. The office building includes many innovative features to reduce energy consumption such as window shades to offer protection from direct sunlight and keep the building cool.

The 3D printed office was constructed using a special mixture of cement and a set of building material designed and made in the UAE and the United States. An arc shape was adopted for the building for safety purposes and to ensure the stability of the building.

The office space on the Emirates Towers premises will house the temporary office of the Dubai Future Foundation.

© Dubai Media Office

“We see this project as a case study that will benefit regulators as well as research and development centres at the regional and international levels on real application of 3D printing technology,” Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum  said during the opening of the ‘Office of the Future’. “We are documenting this experience and building on it to take advantage of the most important lessons, which will serve as reference points to take this technology to new levels.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed pointed out that the competitive advantages of 3D printing, in term of lower costs and faster delivery, will make the UAE one of the most important sustainable economic hubs, enabling the effective use of this technology to establish future cities in all sectors.

The initiative comes as part of Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, which has the ambitious goal of using 3D printing in a quarter of all buildings by 2030.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer and a number of senior officials.