US City to Feature First Full 3D Printed Neighborhood

The outside of a proof of concept 3D printed house is pictured in Long Island, New York, US, February 11, 2021. (Reuters)
The outside of a proof of concept 3D printed house is pictured in Long Island, New York, US, February 11, 2021. (Reuters)
TT

US City to Feature First Full 3D Printed Neighborhood

The outside of a proof of concept 3D printed house is pictured in Long Island, New York, US, February 11, 2021. (Reuters)
The outside of a proof of concept 3D printed house is pictured in Long Island, New York, US, February 11, 2021. (Reuters)

Construction of the largest 3D-printed neighborhood will begin in Austin in 2022. An entire neighborhood of 100 single-story, 3D-printed homes will be built.

This method of construction is faster, cheaper and less polluting than conventional construction methods, according to the three companies behind this unique project.

This development is set to be the largest neighborhood of 3D-printed homes ever built. Behind this project are Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), home building company Lennar and 3D printing construction technology company ICON.

The construction of one home takes about a week. But the advantage of these 3D-printed constructions doesn’t stop there. Equipped with photovoltaic roofs, these individual houses also present benefits from an ecological point of view.

ICON’s 3D printing technology produces resilient, energy-efficient homes faster than conventional construction methods with less waste and more design freedom – keeping construction projects on schedule and on budget.

According to the company, the printers can fabricate houses of up to 280sq m. It has already printed the walls of a house measuring between 37sq m and 500sq m in 24 hours, spread over several days.

As strong and durable as traditional housing, these printed homes are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.

“Additive manufacturing has the potential to revolutionize the built environment as it gets adopted by the industry at scale,” The Star website quoted Martin Voelkle, partner, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group as saying.



ImpaQ Forum Kicks Off in Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah

Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary and other officials are seen at the opening of the event in Diriyah. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary and other officials are seen at the opening of the event in Diriyah. (SPA)
TT

ImpaQ Forum Kicks Off in Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah

Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary and other officials are seen at the opening of the event in Diriyah. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary and other officials are seen at the opening of the event in Diriyah. (SPA)

Under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary, the Impact Makers Forum (ImpaQ) kicked off in Diriyah on Wednesday, attracting a host of influencers, experts and content creators from around the world.

The opening ceremony featured a modern theatrical performance titled "The Butterfly Effect," celebrating the forum's message and its significance in various fields of influence.

In an opening speech to over 1,500 guests at the Diriyah Arena, Al-Dossary emphasized the growing role of influencers, highlighting the importance of leveraging this influence to foster creativity and innovation and to stimulate community and economic development.

"The Kingdom's Vision 2030, led by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, is a vision that has inspired the world and created impact," he stated.

"Influence can be a single word from a passerby that might forever change someone's life for the better. It could come from a street vendor striving to provide for his children, a loving father, or a great mother who performs miracles to instill values in her children," he remarked.

"Influence is not confined to platforms and screens alone. Look around you at work, in your club, in your neighborhood, at home, and you will see who has shaped your personality and life. ImpaQ celebrates them and all of you," stressed the minister.

The Impact Makers Forum, the largest of its kind in the Kingdom, is being held on a 23,000-square-meter venue and includes three main areas: "Innovation Space" hosting panel discussions and major events, "Impact Space" where influencers share their inspirational experiences, and "Lab Space" for creative and technical workshops.

The two-day forum features over 40 diverse activities across 14 areas of influence, including media, artificial intelligence, sports, tourism and culture. The event will attract over 30,000 visitors, making it a leading platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing success stories in various fields of influence.

The forum also allows international influencers through special tours organized in cooperation with the Saudi Tourism Authority, aiming to highlight Saudi Arabia's uniqueness and appeal. The opening ceremony was digitally streamed to over one million viewers.

The forum features a diverse and engaging agenda, including panel discussions and workshops, while fostering substantial interaction among participants and attendees. This dynamic atmosphere underscores the Kingdom's role as a global hub for inspiration and innovation in the area of influence.