Since its invention in 1939, 3D printing of concrete buildings (3DCP) has been largely restricted to the onsite production of small buildings. However, the recent development of much larger printers and the growth of off-site manufacturing has quickly increased wider 3DCP adoption.

The World Economic Forum also supports the 3DCP concept for its speed of construction and its size and shape adaptability in remote or difficult-to-access areas.

Lately, onsite 3DCP buildings are getting bigger and more creative.

Maryland-based PERI Formwork Systems built the first multi-storey 3D printed house in the United States near Houston in May 2023. It’s a four-storey, 30,000-square-foot custom home with several geometry changes and architectural features, including a 3D-printed kitchen island, fireplace and a 40-foot-tall chimney.