World’s first 3D-printed medical center completed

3D construction printing reached new heights this week as the world’s first 3D-printed medical center was completed in Thailand. Often associated with residential homebuilding, 3D construction printing (3DCP) is an industry innovation that aims to build homes faster, cheaper, and stronger.

The recently finished medical center in Saraburi, Thailand, spans 3,712 sf and is two stories tall—the first two story 3D-printed building in the ASEAN countries. The medical center was built by Siam Cement Group (SCG), the largest and the oldest cement and building material company in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Building the world’s first 3D-printed medical center

Using a BOD2 3D concrete printer from COBOD, the medical center bears a familiar wavy-wall design often seen in many 3D-printed structures. This building was specifically designed to support seismic loads as well. Due to the method of 3DCP, SCG was able to build the center at an increased speed with less labor required compared to conventional building methods.

3D-printed medical center from COBOD in Thailand — According to SCG, the building’s freeform design stands out for “only being possible due to the use of 3D construction printing.” Photo courtesy COBOD

The success of the Saraburi medical center was supported by SCG’s collaborative studies with Thailand universities. Chalermwut Snguanyat, 3D Printing and Fabric Concrete Technology Director from SCG, notes that the design of the 3D-printed medical center was approved by a senior professional engineer, and the materials used were SCG printing mortars with strength classes of C75/80 and C30/35 for load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls, respectively.

According to SCG, the building’s freeform design stands out for “only being possible due to the use of 3D construction printing.”

As an official distributor of COBOD in Thailand, SCG aims to continue increasing construction efficiencies, improving design, and reducing the environmental footprint by generating less waste on the construction site.

Two notable 3D-printed projects mark milestones in the new construction technique of “printing” structures with specialized concrete. In Athens, Tennessee, Walmart hired Alquist 3D to build a 20-foot-high store expansion, one of the largest freestanding 3D-printed commercial concrete structures in the U.S. In Marfa, Texas, the world’s first 3D-printed hotel is under construction at an existing hotel and campground site.

3D Printing | Sep 17, 2024

Alquist 3D and Walmart complete one of the nation’s largest free-standing, 3D-printed commercial structures

Walmart has completed one of the largest free-standing, 3D-printed commercial structures in the US. Alquist 3D printed the almost 8,000-sf, 20-foot-high addition to a Walmart store in Athens, Tenn. The expansion, which will be used for online pickup and delivery, is the first time Walmart has applied 3D printing technology at this scale.

3D Printing | Sep 13, 2024

Swiss researchers develop robotic additive manufacturing method that uses earth-based materials—and not cement

Researchers at ETH Zurich, a university in Switzerland, have developed a new robotic additive manufacturing method to help make the construction industry more sustainable. Unlike concrete 3D printing, the process does not require cement.

Aerial view of world's largest 3D-printed building, a luxury horse barn in Florida

3D Printing | Jun 20, 2023

World's largest 3D-printed building completed in Florida

Printed Farms, known for completing Florida’s first permitted 3D-printed house in Tallahassee, announces the completion of the world’s largest 3D-printed building: a luxury horse barn.

Simpliforge Creations 3D-printed place of worship in India

3D Printing | Jun 1, 2023

World's first 3D-printed place of worship being built in India

The 3D-printed temple is set to embark on an architectural revolution in the Nation.

Sustainability | May 1, 2023

Increased focus on sustainability is good for business and attracting employees

A recent study, 2023 State of Design & Make by software developer Autodesk, contains some interesting takeaways for the design and construction industry. Respondents to a survey of industry leaders from the architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, and entertainment spheres strongly support the idea that improving their organization’s sustainability practices is good for business.

University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory unveils Shell Wall 3D-printed concrete wall technology

3D Printing | Apr 11, 2023

University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory unveils Shell Wall—a concrete wall that’s lightweight and freeform 3D printed

The University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory has unveiled a new product called Shell Wall—which the organization describes as the first lightweight, freeform 3D printed and structurally reinforced concrete wall. The innovative product leverages DART Laboratory’s research and development on the use of 3D-printing technology to build structures that require less concrete.

3D Printing | Jan 12, 2022

Using 3D-printed molds to create unitized window forms

COOKFOX designer Pam Campbell and Gate Precast's Mo Wright discuss the use of 3D-printed molds from Oak Ridge National Lab to create unitized window panels for One South First, a residential-commercial high-rise in Brooklyn, N.Y.