House of Waves: This is the largest building in Europe born from a 3D printer
In the heart of Heidelberg, Germany, stands a structure that challenges architectural conventions and proposes a new way of conceiving technical infrastructure buildings in urban environments.
I talk about the House of Waves (Wave House), a project that has recently been crowned the largest 3D printed building in Europe, a testament to human ingenuity that reflects a commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Before continuing with the topic, remember that this is not the first time we have seen 3D printed houses, I have talked a lot about the matter:
Anyway, you have dozens of articles on the subject searching here.
It is clear that 3D printing in construction is a field that has been gaining ground due to its ability to offer fast, efficient and less harmful solutions for the environment. The House of Waves is a perfect example of this. Designed by SSV and Mense Korte and made by Peri 3D Construction for KrausGruppe, the structure spans 600 square meters and was printed in approximately 140 hours. What comes next is a finishing process carried out by human hands, adding final details such as the roof, doors, lighting and all the wiring necessary for a modern data center connected to the internet.
One of the most striking aspects of the House of Waves It is, without a doubt, its design. With a façade that imitates the undulations of the sea, this building not only stands out for its aesthetics but also for its functionality. The choice of this design is not accidental; responds to the need to visually integrate technical structures, such as data centers, more harmoniously in cities. Traditionally, these buildings tend to be unattractive due to their closed design, motivated by security reasons. However, 3D printing has offered design freedom that has allowed us to break this monotony.
The construction method used in the House of Waves leaned on a COBOD BOD2 3D printer, capable of extruding a cement-like mixture in layers to form the exterior walls of the building. This technique not only significantly speeds up the construction process but also reduces CO2 emission compared to traditional methods.
This project represents an important step towards construction automation, with COBOD aiming for at least 50% of construction processes on construction sites to be automated in the future. This vision of the future is doubly beneficial: on the one hand, it promises to improve efficiency and reduce costs; On the other hand, it raises serious reflections on the impact on employment and the skills required in the construction sector.
Unfortunately we have not yet made it cheap to make houses with 3D printing, but I am sure we will get to that point sooner or later.
You have photos of this project in kraus-heidelberg.de.