Russian company Apis Cor has successfully 3D printed a full-scale house in just 24 hours. The structure was created at Apis Cor’s base in the Russian town of Stupino, outside Moscow. According to the company, the total printing time amounted to a full day.
Apis Cor developed the 3D printer specifically to construct large concrete structures. They used the technology to build the first 3D printed house in the USA last year. While elsewhere, Dutch company CyBe developed a concrete 3D printer. However, the CyBe device places a 3D printer on rubber wheel tracks in order to give it added mobility.
Cold climate
Apis Cor 3D printed the house in Russia at the coldest time of the year, proving the machine’s ability to cope with adverse weather conditions. The equipment can operate at temperatures as low as -35°C (-31°F), however the concrete ink requires warmer conditions. To solve this, the team erected a tent to cover the machine and its planned 3D printed structure.
Insulation
Apis Cor says their 3D printing method can be adapted to specific environments. Since this project took place in Russia, insulation was very important. For this Apis Cor used, “loose dry insulating material on one part of the house, and polyurethane filler composition on the other.” This meant that while the methods used were unconventional, Apis Cor was still able to provide the appropriate insulating functions of a typical Russian house.
Unorthodox methods
In order to provide structure to the house, Apis Cor placed horizontal fibreglass reinforcements in the walls. Coupled with the specific flat roof design means the house can handle heavy snowfall.
The surface quality of the 3D printed walls meant finishing work, like painting, could be performed immediately and according to Apis Cor, this reduced finishing costs.
Costs of construction
Apis Cor compare the cost of the house to traditional techniques for a structure of the same size. The construction costs for this project totaled $10,134, including windows, doors, internal and external finishing, roof, floors and electrical wiring. The size of the house is 38m2 which means it cost $275 per square meter to construct.
Furnishings
To help furnish the house, Apis Cor teamed up with Samsung. The electronics company provided all the appliances, which included a refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, stove and microwave. As well as a curved television which matched the curvature of the walls.
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Featured image shows the 3D printer in operation in Stupino. Photo via Apis Cor.
