Construction has begun on New South Wales' first 3D-printed social housing project in Dubbo, aimed at providing affordable homes for Aboriginal tenants. The project will transform a vacant plot of land into two modern duplexes, each with two bedrooms. This cutting-edge construction technique promises to halve the time required to build the homes and significantly reduce costs, providing much-needed housing sooner.
The development, led by Indigenous company Aboriginal Sustainable Homes in collaboration with Contour3D, will use 3D-printed concrete to construct the duplexes. The printed concrete structures are expected to be completed in just 16 days, using about 70 tonnes of Contourcrete, a specialized concrete designed for 3D printing. Once the structure is in place, the roof will be added, followed by interior fitting, with the homes ready for occupancy by February 2025.
In addition to speeding up construction, 3D printing produces less waste and uses eco-friendly recycled materials, making it a more sustainable choice. The method also reduces long-term maintenance costs by creating more durable and energy-efficient homes.
The total construction time for the project is just 16 weeks, compared to up to 40 weeks using traditional building methods. If successful, this approach could pave the way for more affordable and faster housing solutions across the state. The project is supported by the Dubbo Regional Council, which approved the development application in July 2024.