The last time we checked, Kenya was the next country after Malawi to benefit from construction 3D printing in Africa. A recent announcement from the Department of Science And Innovation (DSI) in South Africa highlights a pilot project of 25 housing units that would be built using construction 3D printing.

The use of 3D printing as part of this project is not that surprising when we know that, among all countries in Africa, South Africa is one of the most advanced ones when it comes to adopting AM technologies. In this specific case, the project will be conducted in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements. It is launched as part of 10-year plan to establish sustainable human settlements across the country, a plan that focuses on science and technology to support the country’s recovery.

“In search of an innovation-based system to improve the delivery of human settlements, the DSI supported the demonstration of 3D printing of houses through the use of additive materials technologies. The initiative aligns to the countries effort to transition sustainable human settlements to smart, green and sustainable settlements in the context of 4IR and climate change,” it said.

To bring this project to fruition, the government has its eyes on the Vulcan II, the construction 3D printer from ICON, that has already 3D printed dozens of buildings across the world in 24 hours. The machine uses a specially-mixed concrete that hardens quickly, and prints layer by layer to form a ridge-effect in the walls.

According to ICON, this proprietary machine delivers safer, more resilient homes that are designed to withstand extreme weather, greatly reduce the impact of natural disasters, and be printed at high speeds and at scale.

 

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