I first encountered 3D printing over fifteen years ago through Mark Ganter in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Washington. At that time, 3D printing was starting to gain mainstream recognition but was far from being a practical tool in the construction industry. While it sparked intrigue, its applications seemed more relevant to small-scale, experimental projects. That early exposure stayed with me as I transitioned into my role at LMN Architects, where I co-founded LMNts, our integrated research and development group responsible for exploring the potentials of emerging technologies like 3D printing, aiming to push the boundaries of architecture and construction.
At LMNts, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Our work involves a constant exchange of ideas between architects, engineers, fabricators, researchers, and technologists. In that sense, the 3D printing industry has evolved in much the same way, driven by interdisciplinary collaboration and shared innovation. This brings me to Liya Anthraper’s essay on the role of 3D printing in construction. Liya spotlights a range of professionals and organizations, from the postdoctoral researchers at ETH Zurich to industry leaders at ICON in Texas and unions like Seattle’s Local 528, all of whom are contributing to the advancement of large-scale 3D printing.
Each of these groups represents a different stage in what’s often referred to as the five stages of technology adoption. ETH Zurich’s Tor Alva project, for example, places Ana Anton and her team squarely among the Innovators. Their work pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with digital and prefabricated construction methods. At the other end, ICON stands out as an Early Adopter, translating 3D printing research into practical, scalable applications like housing developments. Their projects in Texas demonstrate how the technology can address real-world problems such as housing affordability, bringing it closer to mainstream use.
But while we’ve seen incredible progress, many challenges remain before large-scale 3D printing becomes widely adopted. In her article, Liya mentions some of these, from material limitations to technical issues like temperature and structural consistency. Beyond the technical, there are significant economic and cultural barriers to overcome, especially in an industry that is often slow to embrace change. Even in forward-thinking regions like Seattle, professionals like Mike Raymond at Local 528, a Cement Masons and Plasterers Union, emphasize the need for training and infrastructure investment to support this transition while relying on the passion of individuals like Lindsey Heller to help foster these connections. The potential is immense, but the pathway to wide adoption still has hurdles.
These challenges are not unique to 3D printing—they are part of a familiar innovation cycle. In many ways, we are now at the point where early lessons from pioneers like ETH Zurich and ICON must inform the next phase of development. What comes next will be driven by collaboration, not only within the construction industry but also between policymakers, technology companies, and educational institutions. We will need to overcome the technical barriers while building an ecosystem that supports innovation and practical application.
As we stand on the cusp of a new era in construction, the future contains exciting new potentials. The work being done today will form the foundation for future breakthroughs. And, in that future, 3D printing may not just be a tool for select projects, but a standard part of the construction process—one that is faster, less wasteful, and more responsive to the needs of the communities it serves. The innovation cycle will continue, and the lessons we learn now will shape the next generation of builders, thinkers, and creators.
Have you ever found yourself frustrated by the incessant noise of construction next door? The high-intensity drilling, relentless hammering, and truck back-up beeps making constant interruptions to your daily life? Imagine a future where these disruptions are minimized, replaced by a quieter, more efficient process. This is the future of 3D printing construction.
Though 3D printing technology has been around for 40 years, today it is rapidly evolving and being adapted to various landscapes, from the tranquil Swiss mountains to the flat deserts of Texas and the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest. This technology is being implemented worldwide at an unprecedented pace, revolutionizing the construction industry with enhanced efficiency, speed, reduced labor requirements, and greater design flexibility.
In Switzerland, the Tor Alva project stands as a testament to the innovative potential of 3D concrete printing. Designed by Benjamin Dillenburger and Michael Hansmeyer and currently under construction, this 30-meter tall structure was designed to utilize advanced 3D printing technology. Programmed by the cultural foundation Nova Fundazium Origen, the project helps serve their aims to revitalize the rural region with cultural activities and architectural restoration interventions in the village of Mulegns. Tor Alva integrates prefabricated elements that are transported to the site and assembled, showcasing the flexibility and efficiency of this construction method.
Ana Anton, a postdoctoral researcher at the chair for Digital building technologies (DBT) under Institute of technology in architecture (ITA) for ETH Zurich, highlights how research turned into a project on site. “Digital technologies are a disruptor of the least productive and least efficient industry construction,” she says. “This technological movement offers huge potential for improvement of innovation, making things faster, of better quality, easier to handle, and also more efficient.”
According to Anton, 3D printing technology helped in automating the construction process for the Tor Alva project, and helped create optimized structures that are intricately designed. Each assembly for the structure’s five different levels is 3D printed and has a different pattern and structural form. Although the technology used here is still in research stages, what is clear is that it enforces an interdisciplinary collaboration between the design, structural engineering, and civil engineering teams. The structure’s columns are hollow, but they channel around vertical and horizontal rebars to provide strength. This method completely eliminates any need for form work. Tor Alva has explored the best use of prefabrication strategy, allowing for it to be dismantled and placed in another location down the line if needed.
Beyond the advanced engineering possibilities, 3D printing also facilitates designs that help buildings connect to their context. “The concrete printing process reminds me a lot of local sugar bakeries here, where they craft rich, puff-textured sweets full of cream,” says Anton. The textures on the branched columns have intricate patterns that would otherwise take much longer to implement through traditional construction methods, thus bringing back ornamentation details using a high-tech method that can help connect buildings to place.
At ICON 3D in Austin, Texas, the company is using 3D technology to address a different issue: the housing crisis. Using a gantry system allows the company to mass-produce 3D printed homes with rapid, on-site construction that requires minimal labor, significantly reducing both cost and environmental impact. ICON’s mission is to address the global housing crisis by leveraging advanced 3D printing techniques to build affordable and scalable communities. Aside from the strategy, the technology, efficiency, and interdisciplinary collaboration is very similar to Anton’s experience at DBT.
ICON has been able to hone their use of the technology in Texas with projects like the Wolf Ranch, Wimberley Springs, and El Cosmico Sunday homes. You can even purchase a 3D printed home of your own through ICON’s website. Melodie Yashar, the vice president of architecture and building performance at ICON, shares her experience being part of the design, implementation, and execution teams. She has also received feedback from clients who have purchased a house and started living in it. One client states, “I didn't realize the construction was still going on as we didn’t hear the usual hustle and bustle.” Yashar discusses how the in situ process lowers labor costs, which parallel the low costs of operating the homes once they are finished. “The clients living in these buildings are only paying $20 for monthly utilities,” she says. Together, ICON’s projects demonstrate the scalability and practicality of this technology. ICON will be expanding this technology to the West Coast and may soon make their way to the state of Washington.
As we look closer to home in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, with its weather conditions akin to Switzerland's, stands on the cusp of embracing this transformative technology.
The Cement Masons and Plasterers Union, known as Local 528, is fully committed to advancing technology and skilled labor in the city of Seattle. Traditionally, Seattle’s construction industry has been characterized by lengthy timelines, high costs, and significant environmental impact. However, Local 528 believes the integration of 3D printing technology could revolutionize this landscape, allowing the city to address its housing shortage more efficiently and sustainably.
To successfully adopt this technology, Seattle must invest in local infrastructure and training programs. Feedback from local industry professionals indicates a readiness to embrace 3D printing, provided there is adequate support and investment in skill development. Local 528 plays a crucial role in preparing the workforce for this transition. Mike Raymond, apprenticeship coordinator at Local 528, has been pushing 3D printing through outreach events, apprenticeship programs, and comprehensive training, ensuring that both new and existing workers are equipped with the necessary skills for the future.
Local 528’s training is comprehensive, covering various materials and machines, including a 3D printer, to ensure apprentices are well-rounded in their skills. When it comes to 3D printing integration, Local 528 along with Lindsey Heller, principal owner and landscape architect at SKAPA, has been instrumental in collaborating to introduce and refine the process of 3D concrete printing, translating blueprints into 3D models. This transition involves overcoming initial printing challenges such as temperature adjustments and material composition, and emphasizing safe machine operation and understanding material properties to ensure high-quality prints. The team has partnered with Alquist 3D and RIC Technology to create a space where they can explore different possibilities of the technology.
"It's about everyone meeting in a place and communicating on how we can get there", says Raymond, highlighting the collaborative efforts necessary to make this transition successful. The team has worked on different finishing techniques for 3D printing concrete, refining the process to such a degree that the finished pieces lack the usual layered texture, making it hard to believe they were 3D printed.
Looking ahead, Local 528 aims to establish training hubs across the U.S. to support the widespread adoption of 3D printing in construction. They emphasize the importance of retaining skilled labor while introducing new technologies to improve efficiency and reduce labor hours. Local 528 also highlights the community and environmental impact of 3D printing, seeing it as a way to reduce material waste and improve sustainability in construction. Efforts are underway within the group to meet stringent building codes and gain broader acceptance for 3D printed structures in the U.S. On a personal level, the motivation for many at Local 528 is the excitement of being at the cutting edge of construction technology. They strive to create an inclusive environment where diverse skills and backgrounds contribute to the success of new technologies in construction.
As we stand at the threshold of a new era in construction, 3D printing is emerging as a pivotal force reshaping the industry. What once seemed like a distant possibility is now a reality, transforming not only how we build, but also how we live. From the intricate designs of Switzerland's Tor Alva to affordable homes in Texas, this technology is proving its versatility and potential to address some of the most pressing challenges in construction around efficiency, sustainability, and affordability.
The future of construction in cities like Seattle will be quieter, cleaner, and more connected to the needs of its people. As we adopt these digital technologies, we are not merely building structures; we are crafting a future where innovation and tradition converge to create spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful. The noise of traditional construction may be fading, but the echoes of progress are louder than ever.
