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CyBe Construction has formed a joint venture with the South African Housing & Infrastructure Fund (SAHIF) to roll out three-dimensional (3D) concrete-printed homes in South Africa, Engineering News reports.

Netherlands-headquartered CyBe Construction is a pioneer of 3D concrete printing technology.

The joint venture will provide affordable housing in South Africa. The partnership was proposed after the University of Johannesburg received CyBe’s mobile 3D concrete printer and, during on-site training, printed a complete house in five training days. 

According to Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of the Department of Higher Education and Training, the country currently faces a shortage of more than 23 million homes. The 3D-printed housing venture could offer a solution to this problem. 

CyBe says that using 3D printing technology could lead to faster construction times, reduced costs and improved quality. The joint venture's first objective is to print 50 homes in a township south of Johannesburg, after which larger projects will be sought.

“This technology demonstrated its capacity to construct a complete house within just five days, marking a significant stride towards addressing the country’s pressing housing deficit. Introducing these innovative 3D-printed, earthquake-proof homes offers a sustainable solution to the country’s housing shortage and reassures residents of their safety,” said SAHIF CEO Rali Mampeule. 

The project aligns with number 11 of the United Nations Social Development Goals, which aims to provide access to adequate, safe, affordable housing and essential services for everyone by 2030 and upgrade slums.

Photo: South Africa's first 3D printed building (https://cybe.eu)