3D printing of houses with concrete is no longer a futuristic innovation, but a rapidly emerging reality in the construction sector – both in Europe and in Bulgaria. Large-scale projects such as the three-story residential building ViliaSprint in France and the largest 3D-printed house in Germany prove that the technology is successfully used to create multi-family buildings and offices. The first demonstration building with 3D printing was also realized in our country by PERI Bulgaria – an illustration of the sector's growth in the entire region.
The essence of this revolution is the ability to erect buildings literally in days – a two-story house can be "printed" in under 24 hours, eliminating the need for classic formwork, relying on the layering of concrete mortar using a robotic printer. According to international analyses, 3D printing leads to a reduction in labor costs by over 60%, and material waste – by over 50%.
A key factor is environmental sustainability – the new concrete mixtures can be produced with recycled materials and geopolymers, and the flexible design allows the construction of energy-efficient homes. Modular 3D-printed buildings are already being used not only for housing, but also for schools, public buildings and emergency construction.
Experts predict that by 2030, 3D printing will occupy over 5% of the global volume of construction of new buildings, and in megacities like Dubai, the goal is for 25% of buildings by 2030 to be 3D-printed. In Bulgaria, the growing interest in prefabricated and fast-built houses is already leading to a boom among entrepreneurs – the price of a 3D-print house is 30-40% lower than classic construction, and the deadlines are incomparably shorter.
On a global scale, forecasts point to a sector growth of over 20% per year, and by 2030, annual construction with 3D printers will exceed $40 billion. According to analysts, the price reduction and speed will make a home more accessible to young people and will reduce housing crises in urban centers.