A Chinese construction company last weekend unveiled its two largest 3D-printed buildings to date. One is a grand-looking, three-story mansion (well, McMansion), and the other is a more utilitarian five-story apartment block. Both are made entirely by 3D printers creating layers of materials that form walls and roofs.

The giant 3D-printed homes are made by Winsun, the same company that cranked out basic one-story homes last year.

This latest project is a proof-of-concept for now, with both the villa and the apartment block (which are undecorated inside) positioned side-by-side in an expo area, according to photos on Chinese sites such Caixin and Netease News.

Here’s the 3D-printed mansion, which covers an area of 1,100 square meters (11,840 square feet) and costs $160,000

http://www.3ders.org/images2014/china-winsun-3d-printed-villa-six-floor-building-3d-printing-3ders-7.JPG (Unsupported image host)

https://www-techinasia.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/china-3d-printed-mansion-and-tower-block-photo-1.jpg (Unsupported image host)

More info:

https://www.techinasia.com/china-3d-...d-tower-block/

Spoiler

They have to drywall and paint it, though so the inside isn't that pretty.

 

I can't imagine this actually being cheaper than just buying the materials...

I can see the benefit of 3D printing to save cost buy just printing out small replacement parts and such, but not building a ****ing house.  

Posted by Dusty

I can't imagine this actually being cheaper than just buying the materials...

I can see the benefit of 3D printing to save cost buy just printing out small replacement parts and such, but not building a ****ing house.

It costs $160,000 and is ~12,000 square feet, which is far more cheap than normal houses at that size. Since you don't have to do anywhere near as much construction work as its all made out of concrete and recycled construction materials, 3D printing could make houses much cheaper to make and thus lower their value. More sophisticated methods will be able to run electrical strips and plumbing/heating ducts as they print right into the walls. Also quite fire resistant.  

Really really cool, damn.  

Rofl, nobody is buying that until they test it's structural integrity.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to live in a 3D printed plastic house made by the Chineese.  

I'd do it, the Chinese are actually very smart no need to get racist  

Wasn't trying to be, I'm Chinese btw.

Regardless of who makes it, a house made of 3D printed plastic doesn't seem structurally sound.

They're gonna need a bunch of additional weights or underground anchoring to keep it from getting blown away and metal supports or something to help keep all together.  

Posted by Colin

I'd do it, the Chinese are actually very smart no need to get racist

That doesn't take away form their history of questionable production/manufacturing quality. Looking at companies like FOXCONN here.  

Concrete doesnt blow away in the wind rofl  

This is so weird. How does that even work?  

Posted by Talon

That doesn't take away form their history of questionable production/manufacturing quality. Looking at companies like FOXCONN here.

And those iPhones u peeps use...hmmm...quite questionable.  

Ik this is kinda off-topic but china made a my little pony sex toy... isnt that more questionable than anything.  

Posted by Livid

Ik this is kinda off-topic but china made a my little pony sex toy... isnt that more questionable than anything.

brah...talk about Spongbob Tampons.  

Posted by Livid

Ik this is kinda off-topic but china made a my little pony sex toy... isnt that more questionable than anything.

Pretty sure Japan tops the WTF?! sex market.  

Posted by Crono

Pretty sure Japan tops the WTF?! sex market.

10/10 will order one.