Combining Old and New Technology - The New Paradigm for Building?

Images: Contour Crafting - Concrete is “printed” in layers through a nozzle
that moves around the building site with the help of a gantry;
Those behind Contour Crafting believe it could be used to develop entire neighbourhoods
Source: dailymail.co.uk: Contour Crafting builds house in 24-hours
Credit: Contour Crafting + TEDxOjai

3D printing technology could build a 2500 square foot house in one day, complete with fixtures and fittings

Who could have imagined inkjet printer technology would one day grow-up, off the two-dimensional page and into the world of three dimensions? Scientists and engineers, that’s who.

Now, an engineer from the University of Southern California is looking to grow the 3D printing phenomenon even further—to a size capable of building a house.

Professor Behrokh Khoshnevis calls the process of depositing layers of specially formulated concrete “Contour Crafting.” Combined with incorporated robotic assembly of pre-fabricated mechanical, plumbing and electrical modules, Professor Khoshnevis claims his Contour Crafting could build an entire house complete with fixtures and fittings in under 24 hours.

That may sound far-fetched, but consider the fact that 2D inkjet printers have only been around a few decades. Already, 3D printing is fast becoming the new standard for 3D modelling, rapid prototyping, even custom part manufacturing. So why not scale-up the technology for buildings?

Wo-Built believes we are due for a new building paradigm. It is one of the reasons we are pushing ahead with our Peapod Life initiative. Given finite resources and the incredible waste and greenhouse gas emissions conventional building methods produce, we applaud any approach that pushes the boundaries and encourages new innovation.

Consider the potential of Contour Crafting to lead to the discovery of new, more environmentally friendly and sustainable building materials. Wo-Built can foresee a biotechnological angle to such material development—producing sustainable, durable, even photosynthetic structures that are maintenance free and beyond carbon-neutral.

Attila Lendvai
VP of Strategic Development
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

TEDxOjai - Behrokh Khoshnevis - Contour Crafting: Automated Construction
Published on Apr 28, 2012 by TEDxTalks

links:
contourcrafting.com: Contour Crafting (CC)
Contour Crafting (CC) is a layered fabrication technology developed by Dr. Behrokh Khoshnevis of the University of Southern California.

dailymail.co.uk: science & tech: Contour Crafting builds house in 24 hours
The end of the builder? The giant 3D printer that could create a HOUSE in 24 hours
• Printer can create all fixtures and fittings as it creates house layer by layer
• Could be used to build a 2500 square foot house in a day
PUBLISHED: 13 August 2012

gizmodo.com.au: 3D Printer Can Build You A House In 20 Hours: Welcome To The Future
Luke Hopewell, Gizmodo AU August 9, 2012

idesigntimes.com: Amazing Innovations: 3D Printer Can Build a House In 20 Hours
By Jacob Kleiman | August 13, 2012

smartplanet.com: A giant 3D printer builds a livable house
By Amy Kraft | August 11, 2012

core77.com: Contour Crafting: 3D Printing an Entire House
Posted by hipstomp | 2 Aug 2012

wobuilt.com/blog: A New Construction Paradigm for Buildings