The UAE has launched of the world’s first fully functional 3D-printed building in Dubai on the premises of Emirates Towers.
The unique building which will house the temporary office of the Dubai Future Foundation, was inaugurated on Tuesday by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday, reported state news agency Wam.
“We implement what we plan, and we pursue actions, not theories. The rapidly changing world requires us to accelerate our pace of development for history does not recognise our plans but our achievements,” Sheikh Mohammed said at the launch of the building.
“The UAE has become one of the world’s most important incubators for innovation and future technology through its initiatives and steady steps towards shaping the future and creating a global model to be emulated by others in all sectors.
“We announce today the opening of the Office of the Future, the first 3D-printed office in the world, after less than a month of launching the Dubai 3D printing strategy which showcases a modern model of construction.”
“This is an experience we present to the world on implementing future technology in our lives, and it represents a new milestone for the UAE as a global leader in strategic achievements.”
The full model took only 17 days to print after which the internal and external designs were adopted. The office was installed on site within two days, which is significantly faster than traditional construction methods involving A category office buildings in such an innovative project, it added.
The 3D-printed office was constructed using a special mixture of cement and a set of building materials designed and made in the UAE and the US, the report said.
These materials have undergone a range of tests in both China and the UK to ensure their reliability. An arc shape was adopted for the building for safety purposes and to ensure the stability of the building, it stated.
A 3D-printer measuring 20 ft high, 120 ft long and 40 ft wide was used to print the building. The printer features an automated robotic arm to implement printing process, stated the Wam report.
The initiative comes as part of Dubai’s 3-D printing strategy, which is a unique global initiative aimed to harness this promising technology for the service of humanity and promote the status of the UAE and Dubai as a leading global centre of 3-D printing by 2030, said the Wam report.
The strategy focuses on three main sectors: construction, medical products, and consumer products, it stated.
Sheikh Mohammed pointed out that the competitive advantages of 3D printing in terms of lower costs and faster delivery will make the UAE one of the most important sustainable economic hubs, enabling the effective use of this technology to establish future cities in all sectors.
The world’s first 3D-printed office space covers up to 250 sq m, while the exterior design reflects the most innovative forms of the future workplace.
The design has been conceived to achieve a shift from the traditional form of work environments and provide greater opportunities to stimulate innovation and communication between workplace teams.
Innovative features have been adopted in the office building to reduce energy consumption such as window shades to offer protection from direct sunlight and keep the building cool, stated the report. Latest technology has been used in the management of information systems within the building, it stated.
