Supersized 3D printers are now producing low-cost buildings in record time, with minimal human input required.

Click or scroll through our gallery to take a look inside some of these awe-inspiring completed structures, and to learn more about the 3D revolution that's going on right now in the architecture and construction industries. All dollar amounts in US dollars, unless otherwise stated.

San Francisco start-up Apis Cor caught the world's attention in 2017 when its team built an entire home in a Russian town in 24 hours, using prefabricated parts and a 3D printer.

Now headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has a waitlist for US buyers who want to snap up one of its printed properties. 

But let's focus on that groundbreaking first home that Apis Cor built in Stupino, Moscow, back in 2017.

The finished product was a 400sqft (37sqm) home, which cost just $10,314 (£8,455) to build. The interior was about the same size as a decently proportioned hotel room, with an airy open-plan layout.

Apis Cor used a 3D printer to produce the exterior concrete walls, as well as the partitions and the envelope that wraps around the building.

The printer didn't put the whole thing together though; builders had to manually paint the building in that distinctive shade of ochre and also had to install windows and insulation.

But still – a whole house, in just 24 hours? Genius. 

Designed for off-grid wilderness living, this futuristic prototype pod, masterminded by leading architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), is self-sustaining and portable.

Slightly bigger than Apis Cor's house, SOM's pod has a total area of 452sqft (42sqm) and measures in at 38ft (11.6m) long by 12ft (3.7m) wide by 12ft (3.7m) high.

Energy is provided by rooftop solar panels, which generate enough electricity to power the building both day and night.

SOM also designed a matching vehicle to wirelessly share energy with the pod, should it be required.

The cost-effective building is made up of segments, which are 3D printed and assembled off-site. A printer with an extra-large nozzle is used, pumping out layer after layer of polymer to form the solid structure. 

The design of the 3D-printed segments combines many functions of a conventional wall system, such as the cladding, insulation, and structure.

While the design is highly focused on its clean energy credentials, the pod's cladding comprises 20% glazing, which makes for a bright and spacious interior.

SOM showcased the pod at the 2016 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas.

The world's first 3D-printed concrete castle, this regal structure was designed and engineered by the Minnesota-based contractor and 3D printing trailblazer Andrey Rudenko in 2014.

Rudenko's company, Total Kustom, has developed a range of machines that 3D-print concrete in layers, much like those used in the castle.

Mega-expensive, these game-changing gadgets are priced from $300,000 (£250k) to $950,000 (£794k).

The core of Rudenko's visionary castle was printed in one piece on-site, while the turrets and ramparts were created separately by the machine and then cemented into place.

A showpiece for the company rather than a serious commercial structure, the castle demonstrates the potential of the technology.

Forget boring and boxy: rather, the castle is the perfect demonstration of how 3D-printed structures can feature unique shapes and intricate detailing.

Total Kustom's first big commercial project was to provide a printer for the Lewis Grand Hotel in the Philippines in 2015.

The printer was used by hotelier Lewis Yakich to create the world's first 3D-printed hotel suite.

Rudenko and his team customised their largest 3D printer and shipped it to the Philippines. Concrete made from local volcanic sand was used as the printer's "ink".

Once the printer arrived the the venue, the luxurious suite was completed in just under a week, which included wiring and plumbing.

The pièce de résistance of the project was a swish 3D-printed jacuzzi, which takes pride of place in the main social area of the suite.

Yakich, the hotel owner who commissioned Rudenko, had plans to introduce more 3D printing for further construction in the Philippines. However, he mysteriously disappeared without a trace in 2016.

Far from a flimsy structure, this 3D-printed two-storey house was unveiled by Chinese firm HuaShang Tengda in 2016.

The Beijing-based building firm claimed at the time that the property was strong enough to withstand an earthquake measuring up to 8.0 on the Richter scale.

The 4,305sqft (400sqm) house was constructed on-site in just 45 days between May and June 2016.

Construction workers built the frame and installed plumbing, and used a gargantuan 3D printer to layer concrete and create the walls.

HuaShang Tengda's unique method can be used to construct almost any type of building, from small summer houses to high-rise apartment blocks.

While HuaShang Tengda hasn't disclosed exactly how much its 3D-printed buildings will cost, prices are expected to be on the low side given the in-situ build, reduced labour expenses, shortened construction schedule, and cheap materials.

HuaShang Tengda's main rival in China is WinSun.

WinSun has made a name for itself in the construction of super-impressive 3D-printed buildings like this five-storey apartment block, which was the world's first of its kind.

The imposing structure was 3D-printed in pieces off-site in January 2015, using a printer that stood at 20ft (6.6m) tall.

The printer was loaded with a special fiberglass-reinforced concrete, then assembled on-site.

The company claims that 3D printing can save anywhere between 30-60% of waste, as well as reduce production time by up to 70%. 

Like HuaShang Tengda, WinSun expects to keep costs low thanks to its low-impact technique and use of affordable construction materials.

Along with its five-storey apartment block, WinSun showcased its technology to even greater effect when it unveiled this palatial 3D-printed mansion.

Using the company's gargantuan printer, WinSun produced the mansion in pieces at its factory. Construction workers installed the plumbing and wiring on location.

WinSun's specially engineered printer produces extra-thick walls that are built to last and provide excellent insulation.

The company has, however, attracted controversy over its designs and technique. In 2015, 3D construction printing pioneer Dr Behrokh Khoshnevis accused WinSun of stealing his patented technology.

The world's very first 3D-printed office building, this pod-like structure was designed and built for the United Arab Emirates National Committee as the HQ for the Dubai Future Foundation.

The UAE Government was also reportedly keen on the futuristic build as a means to assert the nation as an innovator in 3D printing.

Standing at 20ft (6m) tall, the building was completed in just 17 days off-site and took two days to erect.

The Dubai government collaborated with WinSun for the project, with the Chinese firm providing the printer and tech know-how that allowed the idea to become a reality.

Using this state-of-the-art 3D printing technology, labour costs are cut by around half compared to conventional building techniques.

No wonder the structure cost just $140,000 (£114k) to build...

Cutting-edge down to even the smallest of details, the office boasts the very latest in energy-saving technology to reduce running costs and minimise its carbon footprint.

Dubai is certainly making strides in its bid to become a world leader in 3D printing. In 2019, it celebrated the opening of a new municipality building, which was the world's largest 3D-printed property.

It's all part of the city's goal to produce 25% of its new buildings with 3D-printing technology by 2030.

Apis Cor 3D-printed the walls of the two-storey structure, and conducted extensive research to test its equipment under Dubai's harsh climate conditions. 

Standing at 31ft (9.5m) tall and with an area of 6,889sqft (640sqm), it remains the world’s largest 3D-printed building to-date.

In Europe, a variety of contractors and material manufacturers are exploring 3D printing for their upcoming construction projects.

Formwork supplier PERI Group built a five-family apartment building in Germany in 2020, with the property printed over a period of six weeks.

The team used a gantry printer for the apartment building. This set-up allowed manual construction activities to be ongoing within the footprint of the building during the printing process. 

The three-storey building offers approximately 4,090sqft (380sqm) of living space for residents.

While the project showcases the potential for 3D printing construction, PERI was clear with its intentions; the build wasn't simply a demonstration or research project. Rather, the five units are rented out in the same manner as any other property.

The technique is gaining serious attention in the US, too. For example, several construction and architectural companies have teamed up to use 3D printing to build a 100-home neighbourhood in Austin, Texas.

Construction technology company ICON has created the printing system that is being used to build the properties, and has collaborated with developer Lennar for the venture.

The technology is capable of delivering homes that boast around 3,000sqft (279sqm) of space, with all listings built according to the International Building Code.

The firm says these printed homes are better equipped to withstand extreme weather conditions when compared to more traditional building materials.

The team also sees 3D printing as a viable solution to America's ongoing housing crisis: after all, the method can circumvent labour and material shortages, both of which can drive up costs.

Interested in living in one of the 3D abodes? Visit the Lennar website, where you can register for updates.

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