South Africa’s low-cost 3D-printed home. (Screenshot/Africa News)
- The first 3D-printed house in South Africa was constructed in January of this year.
- After eight months, regulatory approval is still pending and further testing will need to be done before an expanded roll-out can take place.
- It could revolutionize the way RDPs are built in this country.
- Tech and Trends has more information. homepage.
In the eight-month period since the first 3D printed house in South Africa was constructed, no more houses were printed. Regulatory approval is still pending for 3D-printed building techniques that could be revolutionary.
The 3D-printing technology can be used to create physical objects from digital designs. It has many applications including construction of houses.
In collaboration with Department of Science and Innovation(DSI), the University of Johannesburg built the first 3D house in South Africa in less than eight hours.
Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, said that the technology was a possible solution for the housing shortage in the country.
The whole process has a smaller environmental impact, he added.
The printer used for the initiative cost R6million.
Before it is widely used, the method of construction must undergo testing to determine if the buildings it produces are suitable.
According to Dr Ntebo Ngcobo of UJ’s Department of Civil Engineering Technology, which is leading the project of 3D printing houses for the University, this department has been tasked with the responsibility of coordinating the entire process.
The project pilot has also been slightly delayed. She said that eight months after the initial launch, there have not been any more homes built with the new technology. This is because the regulatory hurdles still need to be resolved.
She said that “any new technology in the housing industry, or any other sector for that matter, needs to be approved.”
Ngcobo said that those involved with the project had submitted proposals to Agrément, to get approvals for the new construction method and materials.
Agrément is an entity of the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Its main function is to ensure that construction products not standardised are suitable for their intended use by testing them and certifying the results.
Ngcobo stated that 3D printing houses would be subjected to a number of tests. These included testing the products resistance to water, fire and structural strength.
Pilot
Ngcobo stated that while the project is awaiting regulatory approval, a pilot program to print additional test buildings in KwaZulu-Natal would be in development.
Nzimande, in a published speech, said that before building houses, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements is involved with a project pilot to build a community centre within the uMhlathuze municipality.
Ngcobo said that this pilot could be built without the approval certificates from Agrément, but that there had been a delay in getting the pilot project underway.
We are behind schedule because KZN asked if we could move the project around August. Now we’re at the end August.
News24 tried to contact the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements for comment, but had not received a reply by the publication date.
Ngcobo stated that the university planned to construct more structures to enable students to continue practicing the technology, and experimentation with different materials.
She explained that her department has developed locally-produced material to build the homes. Imported material was used to build the first 3D printed house.
Ngcobo predicted that a larger scale rollout would be possible in South Africa after a period of one year.
She added, “I hope that by the end of next year I will be able to share good news with you.”