Malawi Begins Classes In World’s First 3D-Printed School

A joint venture formed by cement group LafargeHolcim and UK development financier, CDC Group, has unveiled a 3D-printed school in Malawi.

Switzerland-based Holcim announced the launch of the school – the world’s first built with 3D printing (3DP) – in the Salima District.

The company said the walls were printed in just 18 hours, compared to several days it takes when using conventional building materials, and children began learning in the new school on June 21.

According to data from UNICEF, Malawi has an estimated shortage of 36,000 classrooms.

The green construction joint venture, 14Trees, has said this shortfall could be eliminated in just ten years with 3DP, as opposed to 70 years using conventional construction methods.

But even though 3D printing could transform construction around the world, its high cost is a challenge.

While the school cost about 15% less to print than to build, the 3D printing machine costs about $500,000 but the project implementers say costs will go down as materials begin to be locally produced.

Meanwhile, 14Trees plans to continue demonstrating the power of the technology by printing more schools and houses in Malawi as well as in Kenya and Zimbabwe.