The Largest 3D Printed Building in Florida
3D printing is increasingly being utilized in construction, yielding impressive results. Recently, companies COBOD and Printed Farms announced the completion of their joint project to build the largest building in the world fully made by a 3D printer. This impressive structure was erected in Florida and covers an area of approximately 940 square meters, which is nearly 50% larger than the previous record-holding building constructed in the Middle East. Not only does the Florida project boast record dimensions, but it is also resilient to harsh climatic conditions such as heat and storms.
Printed Farms has considerable experience in additive manufacturing in construction. In 2021, they built their first house using 3D printing in the state capital of Florida, Tallahassee. The other participant in the project, COBOD, is known for its equipment in this field, including printers like the BOD2. Additionally, it has an impressive list of buildings that have been 3D printed by them, including the tallest structure of its kind, standing at 9.9 meters. Now, both companies can add another landmark project to their portfolios – a large stable in Wellington, which has become the largest building in the world manufactured using additive manufacturing technologies.
How Was This Project Created?
As mentioned earlier, the area of this innovative stable is 939 square meters or 10,105 square feet. This impressive capacity was achieved thanks to the building’s length of 47 meters. It also has a width of 25 meters and a height of 4 meters. Despite its moderate height, the total area of the building significantly surpasses other structures created using 3D printing.
Moreover, the building was constructed with Florida’s weather conditions in mind, where hurricanes and tropical storms are frequent. Florida is known as the most hurricane-prone state in the U.S.; since 1851, it has experienced 125 hurricanes, including 40 major ones. The enhanced resilience of this structure serves as important evidence of the safety of using additive technologies in the construction industry.
Furthermore, the design took into account the extreme heat often found in this area. The 3D printed walls create air gaps and cavities for natural cooling of the interior space. This also expands the possibilities for implementing 3D printing in the construction of buildings with unconventional geometries.
Philippe Lund-Nielsen, co-founder of COBOD, stated that his company and Printed Farms have done outstanding work in constructing this massive building. He is proud that 3D printing is improving the development industry and changing it for the better.
