World's first 3D-printed houses debut in Shanghai

The world's first group of fully 3D-printed houses created entirely out of recycled materials with a 3D printer have made their debut in Shanghai. The picture is a model drawing of a 3D-printed house. (Photo source: Shanghai Morning Post)

(CNS) -- The world's first group of fully 3D-printed houses created entirely out of recycled materials with a 3D printer have made their debut in Shanghai.

The small community of 10 houses printed within only one day were shown in the city's Qingpu district.

A 3D printer measuring 32-meters long, 10-meters wide, and 6.6-meters deep was used to print each of the structural components of the houses.

Ma Yihe, CEO of the Shanghai-based decoration design and engineering company that built the houses, said he and his team finished the design of the special printer several years ago.

"We purchased parts for the printer overseas, and assembled the machine in a factory in Suzhou," said Ma.

The houses, with each covering an area of 200 square meters, are printed with special "ink" that has been transformed from industrial construction waste.

Such a new type of 3D-printed structure is environment-friendly and cost-effective, according to Ma.

Ma pointed out that construction waste accounts for more than a third of the urban waste in China's cities. The 3D-printed houses can reduce dust and waste at construction sites, he added.

Using recycled material to print houses can also cut costs for construction companies in half. Compared to traditional construction materials like concrete and steel, the new material is lighter and more durable, according to Ma.

Ma's next plan is to open 100 recycling factories in China and continue transforming waste into cost-effective "ink" for 3D printers.

He said that if these 3D-printed houses catch on, the company also hopes the technology could provide affordable housing for the impoverished.