One construction company is so keen on 3DCP that they printed their own headquarters.
The company in question is Matthäi Schlüsselfertigbau, located in Selsingen, Lower Saxony, who recently established their own “construction 3D printing” division. This is a subsidiary of a larger company, Matthäi, which just happens to be the 20th largest construction company in Germany.
Why set up a division dedicated to this new technology? It turns out they were so energized by the experience of 3D printing their own headquarters building that they wanted to push the technology further.
To perform the construction, they have been using equipment from COBOD, specifically the BOD2. That’s COBOD’s flagship 3DCP device, and one of the largest models of 3D printer of any type. It is capable of printing multi-story concrete structures.
Managing Director of Matthäi Schlüsselfertigbau Bernd Mergard explained:
“The entire Matthäi Group is proud to be able to realize the first 3D printed building in Northern Germany. Together with our partners at PERI 3D Construction, we are taking an important step into the future of construction. Once again, this shows how strongly Matthäi combines entrepreneurial growth with innovation and progress.”
The new headquarters isn’t small; it’s a two-story affair measuring 7.4m tall, 22.5m long, and 13.5m wide.
Inside, the walls are “raw”, showing the extrusion lines made during printing. This is quite typical of today’s 3D printed structures.
There’s another benefit here: the headquarters itself can serve as a kind of “demonstration” for prospective customers that are considering 3DCP projects with the company. They can see and touch an actual 3DCP building easily.
Finally, this is a classic example of how a company eats its own dog food.
Via COBOD and Matthäi Schlüsselfertigbau
