The global construction industry is entering a revolutionary era, with the world’s first 3D-printed skyscraper expected to take shape in less than five years, according to global experts.

This game-changing technology that promises to disrupt today’s building techniques will have its set in Dubai, and - just like anything yet unseen - is drawing public attention as well as many questions, said the experts ahead of The Big 5 expo in Dubai, UAE.

The largest construction event in the Middle East, The Big 5, will run from November 26 to 29 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Those in search of the answers will have the chance to listen to the man behind the first 3D printed skyscraper project, Chris Kelsey, at The Big 5.

Speaking at the Excellence in Construction Summit, the high-level conference organised by The Big 5 on November 26, Kelsey, the CEO of Cazza, the world’s leading 3D printing company, will unveil how Dubai is gearing up to become the next hub of this world-changing innovation.

During his presentation titled “Tomorrow is Here: Discover First Hand All You Need to Know About 3D Printing in Construction”, the 20-year-old millionaire will provide first-hand information on 3D printing robots, and exclusive insights into the economic impact of this new, promising technology.  

According to Kelsey, "3D printing means a total disruption on how we build with concrete. We are no longer bound to straight shapes or to moulds, nor labour-intensive methods that represent safety risks for workers.”

Today, “We are able to design any shape that you can think of, increasing creativity and pushing the limits of architecture,” he added.  

From an economic perspective, 3D printing means a more efficient approach to building design that enables cost savings.

According to Kelsey, "Using topology optimisation and the freedom given by 3D printing with design, we can make stronger structures using less material all the while, reducing labour requirements and negative effects on the environment."

3D printing is considered one of the most environment-friendly building solutions today.

"We are now able to make structures that blend with the environment. We can easily create structures that take advantage of the local wind flow, provide natural cooling for the interior, save energy and reduce the carbon footprint of our buildings. At the moment, all those features are essentially luxuries, as the labor and tooling required need to be customized; this is something that with 3D printing does not represent an issue," added Kelsey.

Cazza is currently collaborating with top architects to create a new approach to housing with a strong focus on safety, sustainability and cost efficiency while keeping the designs creative and appealing.

Beyond building the first 3D printed skyscraper in Dubai, Kelsey is also committed to supporting HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision to print 25 per cent of all buildings in the UAE by 2030, as well as to have 30 per cent of the GCC companies using Cazza’s technology within the next five years.

Anticipating the major opportunities for 3D printing in the construction field, Kelsey states that these emerge essentially from “The capacity to make a square or a circle with the same cost. This means that we are here facing a new paradigm, where we are not bound by complexity but by approach.”

Beyond featuring Kelsey’s keynote speech, the Excellence in Construction Summit will host visionaries and forward-thinking leaders who have expanded the horizons of excellence in strategic innovations and construction.

Some of the confirmed VIP speakers at the summit include Ahmed Al Khatib, the vice-presidnet of Real Estate & Delivery at Expo 2020 Dubai; Bibop Gresta, the chairman and co-founder of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies; and PNC Menon, the chairman and founder of Sobha Group.

The 38th edition of The Big 5 will also offer 70-plus complimentary and CPD-certified world-class educational sessions, The Big 5 Talks.

Delivered by industry leaders, the Talks will focus on six themes: MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing), architecture, sustainability, business, technology and project management.

Furthermore, a two-day “Big 5 Innovation in Precast Summit” will run on November 26 and 27, exploring the latest technologies, innovations, standards and regulations in precast concrete.-TradeArabia News Service