- The city has a track record of building extravagant landmarks to entice visitors, and it's also home to the world's tallest building.
- The 3D-printed office building was an engineering feat, using only three workers and one printer. The city plans to have one quarter of all buildings built with 3D printing by 2030.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .
ADVERTISEMENT
This building in Dubai is the largest 3D-printed structure in the world — and it took just 3 workers and a printer to build it
Dubai is now home to the largest 3D-printed building ever constructed.
dubai 3d building
ADVERTISEMENT
Dubai is known as a city of opulence that constantly tries to outdo other tourist destinations.
With the largest population in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai already has the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which stands 2,717 feet tall, or 160 stories.
Now, the city has become the site of a new architectural feat: the largest 3D printed building in the world. The building will be used for administrative purposed by the municipality.
ADVERTISEMENT
These photos show how the construction of this innovative structure came together.
Dubai became the home of the worlds first 3D printed office building in 2016, according to Reuters.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Apis Cor
Source: Reuters
ADVERTISEMENT
Now, the city is also home to the worlds largest 3D-printed building.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Apis Cor
US company Apis Cor built the structure using only one 3D printer, which was moved around the site by crane.
BusinessInsider USA Images
ADVERTISEMENT
Apis Cor
Source: Apis Cor
The two-story administrative building will be used by the Dubai municipality.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Apis Cor
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Apis Cor
Only three workers, plus the printer, were need to construct the entire building.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Apis Cor
Source: Apis Cor
ADVERTISEMENT
The 3D printed walls were placed on concrete foundation, and reinforced with more traditional construction materials of rebar and more concrete, Curbed reported.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Apis Cor
Source: Curbed
Contractors were also brought in to install windows and the roof, according to Curbed.
ADVERTISEMENT
BusinessInsider USA Images
Apis Cor
Source: Curbed
The walls are 31 feet tall and the structure is 6,900 square feet, making it the largest 3D-printed building ever, according to the Apis Cor.
BusinessInsider USA Images
ADVERTISEMENT
Apis Cor
Source: Apis Cor
Not only is it the largest 3D-printed building in the world, the government of Dubai also says that this is the first two-story structure of its kind.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Apis Cor
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Dubai Media Office
The building is a move toward sustainability, using local materials and efficient insulation to reduce energy consumption, the Dubai government said.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Apis Cor
Source: Dubai Media Office
ADVERTISEMENT
Dubai has plans to continue innovating in this area. Under the direction of the prime minister, the city has a goal of 3D printing 25% of all buildings by 2030.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Apis Cor
Source: Dubai Media Office
See Also:
ADVERTISEMENT
- I made spaghetti with meat sauce using Impossible Foods 'beef' to see if it tasted like the real thing here's the verdict
- 'Fortnite' was the most important video game of this decade, and it will be for the next one too
- These are all the ways smartphones got even better in 2019, from triple-lens cameras to foldable screens
SEE ALSO: 8 gadgets from the 2010s you won't believe you actually used
FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
Africa may just have the lowest level of cyber threats compared to other regions
A look into Kenya’s Shs1.1 billion climate funding from the UK
FCMB: A corporate journey of resilience, evolution, and growth
Congo is spending 22% of its scarce revenue on security - Minister
Another African country is set to get a Russian embassy
Medic West Africa 2024: A resounding success in fostering collaboration and innovation for a brighter healthcare future
10 African countries with the most troubling external debt in 2024
10 African countries with the least soft power influence over the world