3D Printing: Can imperfect solutions pave the way to a renewable future?
The construction industry's carbon footprint looms large, demanding immediate action to develop solutions and alternatives, if not a new approach to construction completely. 3D printing has the potential to transform the industry, but it is crucial we consider exactly how the practice contributes to sustainable development without creating unintended consequences.
Traditional construction practices are centered around mass production and rely heavily on concrete and steel due to it being the cheapest, fastest, and easiest solution. It is no secret that prioritizing these materials is disastrous for the environment. Within the building sector, embodied carbon - referring to CO2 emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of a project’s material components - is responsible for 13% of global greenhouse gas emissions [i].
In the search for solutions and alternatives to these methods, 3D printing is transforming the way we view each part of the architectural process. It has the potential to revolutionize the way we design and build. Katie Heywood, our very own industrial Ph.D. candidate, is actively making space for novel insights and adaptable methodologies within 3D printing.
“If executed responsibly, 3D printing can offer a valuable tool to steer the construction industry in a more environmentally conscious direction,” says Katie.
Amongst some of the most exciting aspects of 3D printing is the potential to significantly reduce the amount of materials and time needed when building [ii].
Since 3D printing is still in its early stages, concrete is currently the most 3D-printed material in architecture. There are also opportunities arising to print with raw materials such as mud and clay, and as research progresses, these tactics could provide viable alternatives to materials such as concrete.
