The Tallest 3D Printed Building in the World Unveiled in Saudi Arabia

It has been a busy year for 3D printed construction projects. From Zero Net Energy buildings to 3D printed schools and holiday parks and more, never before has additive manufacturing seemed to have such a crucial role in the building sector worldwide. COBOD, which is known for its BOD2 construction 3D printer and which has been involved in a number of projects, has yet another to add to its list. This week the company and Dar Al Arkan a real estate company in Riyadah, revealed what they claim is the tallest 3D printed building in the world, located in Saudi Arabia.

It is no surprise why 3D printing is becoming more and more popular in construction. Though it of course has drawbacks, notably relating to building regulations and accessibility, it is seen to be a potential solution to the global housing crisis thanks to its speed and cost-saving ability. In this specific case, the three story 3D printed building is located in Shams Al Riyadh, a development project of about 12million m2 of land. It is part of Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic project to develop sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation and tourism in the Kingdom.

The BOD2 printer form COBOD has already been used in a number of different projects (photo credits: COBOD)

Wael Al Hagen, the 3D construction manager from Dar Al Arkan, further explained, “Our efforts are focused on developing the kingdom’s real estate sector by integrating the latest trends and technologies, drawn from global best practices to enhance our industry locally and deliver on the objectives of vision 2030. The introduction of 3D construction printing enables us to focus on greater flexibility of design, strengthen productivity and achieve higher cost efficiency.”