The world is becoming increasingly urbanized, with the UN projecting that by 2050, around 66% of the global population will live in cities. This rapid urbanization is driving demand for residential and social housing, as well as the expansion of infrastructures and office and utility buildings to accommodate the growing population.
Infrastructure construction is vital for the economy, industry, and society, encompassing essential structures such as transport systems, utility networks, and increasingly crucial, data centers. These data centers are becoming indispensable due to significant increase in the global volume of data. By 2024, global data production is projected to increase by 1.5 times compared to two years prior, driven by the rapid advancement in cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
The United States currently leads in data center infrastructure, hosting approximately 5,400 facilities that serve major technology firms like Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. Following are Germany and the United Kingdom, with 520 and 510 data centers, respectively, as reported by Statista in March 2024. According to McKinsey & Company, the demand for data centers in the US is expected to grow by about 10% annually through 2030, with global investments in data center construction anticipated to reach $49 billion by the same year.
A modern data center – The wave house
One prime example of 3D construction printing is the Wave House Data Center, constructed by PERI 3D Construction and KRAUSGRUPPE in Heidelberg, Germany. This data center spans approximately 600m2 (6,600 SF) with a height of 9m (30 ft), offering 500kW and capacity for about 100 racks. Remarkably, the walls of this facility were printed in just 140 hours, achieving an impressive speed of 4 square meters per hour.
The structure’s unique shape and parametric design highlight the design freedom achievable by 3D construction printing. This technology not only allows for practical and functional buildings but also transforms these structures into works of art. Importantly, the advanced design did not incur additional costs, demonstrating that achieving an aesthetically pleasing result can be economically viable with 3D printing, mentioned Hans-Jörg Kraus, managing partner of KRAUSGRUPPE Heidelberg. This project exemplifies how 3D construction printing can blend functionality with art, offering significant benefits without compromising on cost.
Given the critical role of infrastructure projects for the global economy, it is essential to employ reliable and efficient construction methods. 3D construction printing with concrete material is emerging as a formidable solution, producing structures that match the strength and durability of traditional methods while also offering greater design flexibility. This technology allows for the construction of facilities that can handle heavy loads and resist wear and tear, making them durable and long-lasting. Furthermore, unlike traditional construction, 3D printing enables smart design based on typology analysis, which facilitates more efficient and reliable use of materials.
This approach is not only applicable to data centers but also extends to other infrastructure projects, such as the water tank project by Abyan in Kuwait.
A new school for Lviv
In 2023, the Danish 3DCP Group, in collaboration with the humanitarian foundation Team4UA, printed a school building in Lviv, Ukraine. The school is a one-story building with a total area of 370 m² (3982 ft²) and includes four classrooms designed to accommodate approximately 100 pupils. Importantly, the school was created as an inclusive space for all pupils, including those with special needs.
For sturdiness, the building was printed using concrete, with 99% of the printable concrete material sourced locally. The faster construction speed of 3D construction printing is particularly valuable in areas where a significant amount of construction is needed, as is unfortunately the case in war-torn regions or areas affected by natural catastrophes.
This project highlights the potential of 3D construction printing to provide rapid, sustainable, and inclusive infrastructure solutions in challenging environments.
Summary
3D construction printing is a viable solution to meet the growing demand for infrastructure, office, and utility buildings in the coming years. This innovative technology offers new opportunities for design freedom and the possibility to combine functionality with art. Projects like the Wave House Data Center in Germany and the school in Lviv, Ukraine, demonstrate how 3D construction printing can quickly address construction needs, blend practical use with aesthetic appeal, and create durable structures using locally-sourced materials.
Emerging as a transformative approach, 3D printing offers speed, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, making it an ideal choice for future construction projects.