3D printing: Pushing the limits of architecture

The construction industry as we know it is entering a revolutionary era, with the world’s first 3D printed skyscraper expected to take shape in less than five years.

The man behind the project will appear at The Big 5, the largest construction event in the Middle East, running from 26-29 November at the Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Speaking at the Excellence in Construction Summit on November 26, Chris Kelsey, the CEO of Cazza will unveil how Dubai is gearing up to pioneer this potentially disruptive technology.

During his presentation titled “Tomorrow is Here: Discover First Hand All You Need to Know About 3D Printing in Construction”, the 20-year-old will provide exclusive insight into the economic impact of this promising technology.  

“3D printing means a total disruption on how we build with concrete. We are no longer bound to straight shapes or to moulds, nor labor-intensive methods that represent safety risks for workers,” says Kelsey. “We are able to design any shape that you can think of, increasing creativity and pushing the limits of architecture.”

From an economic perspective, 3D printing means a more efficient approach to building that enables cost savings, reducing labour requirements and the impact on the environment, says Kelsey.

“Using topology optimisation and the freedom given by 3D printing with design, we can make stronger structures using less material,” he says.

“We are now able to make structures that blend with the environment,” Kelsey adds. “We can easily create structures that take advantage of the local wind flow, provide natural cooling for the interior, save energy and reduce the carbon footprint of our buildings.

“At the moment, all those features are essentially luxuries, as the labour and tooling required need to be customised; this is something that with 3D printing does not represent an issue.”

Anticipating the major opportunities for 3D printing in the construction field, Kelsey says these emerge essentially from “the capacity to make a square or a circle with the same cost. This means that we are here facing a new paradigm, where we are not bound by complexity but by approach.”

Cazza is currently collaborating with top architects to create a new approach to housing with a strong focus on safety, sustainability and cost efficiency while keeping the designs creative and appealing.

Beyond building the first 3D printed skyscraper in Dubai, Kelsey is also committed to supporting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision to print 25% of all buildings in the UAE by 2030, as well as to have 30% of the GCC companies using Cazza’s technology within the next five years.

Confirmed VIP speakers at The Excellence in Construction Summit include Ahmed Al Khatib, vice president of real estate & delivery at Expo 2020 Dubai; Bibop G. Gresta, chairman and co-founder of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies; and PNC Menon, chairman and founder of Sobha Group.

The 38th edition of The Big 5 will also offer 70+ complimentary and CPD-certified world-class educational sessions, The Big 5 Talks. Delivered by industry leaders, the Talks will focus on six themes: MEP, Architecture, Sustainability, Business, Technology and Project Management.

Furthermore, a two-day “Big 5 Innovation in Precast Summit” will run on November 26 and 27, exploring the latest technologies, innovations, standards and regulations in precast concrete.

Featuring over 2,500 exhibiting companies from around the world, The Big 5 is expected to attract over 78,000 visitors across the four days of the show, offering unique networking, learning and business opportunities for construction industry professionals.

Organised by dmg events, Middle East, Asia & Africa, The Big 5 will run from 26 to 29 November 2017 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, and will be co-located for the first time with The Big 5 Solar.