Australian 3D printing company, Luyten 3D, has secured an almost $3 million federal grant to develop and deliver state-of-the-art, affordable housing across outback Australia.
The Cooperative Research Centres Projects Grants program, administered by the federal government, awarded Luyten 3D the significant grant to support a housing initiative that will benefit remote Australian communities. In partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Hanson Construction Materials, Luyten 3D aims to revolutionise the face of rural Australian housing.
The multi-year project carries a price tag nearing $6.5 million, with the government contributing $2,993,626 via the CRC-P grant.
Luyten 3D’s global CEO and cofounder, Ahmed Mahil, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be awarded the CRC-P grant for our project. If we as a nation want to address affordability, quality of stock, and adequate conditions of housing in Australia’s remote areas, we need to develop different manufacturing technologies. We aim to remove logistics as a bottleneck, bringing manufacturing on-site, and building with locally sourced zero-carbon/kilometre materials.”
Mahil further outlined the scope and benefits, stating, “Our project is a response to the needs of the mining sector and communities across outback and remote parts of the country. It addresses a critical aspect of the government’s commitment to deliver more homes for Australians utilising technology already of interest to construction companies.”
The tripartite collaboration among Luyten 3D, UNSW, and Hanson will see the development of a robust 3D printing system, complete with hardware and software, capable of constructing houses, faster and more cost-effectively, while using local materials.
Luyten 3D’s 3D printing technology has already gained global recognition. Major construction companies in the US, Canada, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East currently use it.
Commenting on Luyten 3D’s current global footprint and future expansion plans, Mahil said, “Luyten 3D is already helping to build affordable housing in the US and now we will be expanding our operations locally to help print affordable housing in outback Australia.”
Expounding on the advantages of their proprietary technology, Mahil explained, “We can transport our 3D printers to remote locations and print using local materials. We create a mix of terracrete, which requires less water than concrete and utilises local ingredients, making it both cost-effective and sustainable.”
Luyten 3D’s flagship printer, the Platypus X12, can be transported compactly and expanded on-site, reaching a height of six metres and a width of 12 metres – enough to print virtually any house in one go.
With the backing of the CRC-P grant, Luyten 3D is prepared to provide innovative housing solutions for remote communities that are affordable, durable, and aesthetically suitable for their environments.
Associate Professor Haeusler from UNSW, a partner in the project, emphasised the project’s alignment with the goals of the ARC Industry Transformation Training Centre for Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing. “Through the CRC-P project, we can extend our efforts to remote and very remote communities, addressing Australia’s housing crisis with sustainable and digital approaches,” said Haeusler.
Luyten 3D’s technological breakthrough in 3D concrete printing has significant implications for the construction industry. It drastically reduces construction waste, production time, and labour costs, while increasing site efficiency and cost savings.
In addition to these impressive operational benefits, Luyten 3D is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry. “Our technology employs up to 40 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions through proprietary mixes that reduce use of cement, and the robotic systems reduce construction site and logistics carbon dioxide footprints by 50 to 70 per cent,” stated Mahil.
