A non-profit organization called Thinking Huts has created an innovative new 3D-printed school building that is designed to help play a role in addressing the serious shortage of school buildings in the East African island country of Madagascar.
Named 'Bougainvillea,' this 3D-printed school building is situated in the city of Fianarantsoa, and has an interior of approximately 700 square feet, which allows it to comfortably host 30 students at a time.
As far as construction was concerned, this building was crafted using a 3D printer that extruded materials out of its nozzle to construct walls, after which construction workers added a door, windows and roof. In all, the school building took only three weeks to put together.
'Bougainvillea' is set to be the first in an array of 3D-printed schools being envisioned by Thinking Huts.
Image Credit: BOTO Friddet
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- 3d-printed Buildings
- The use of 3D printing technology in construction presents an opportunity for faster and cheaper building solutions.
- Social Impact Construction
- There is potential for non-profits and other social impact organizations to use innovative construction methods to address infrastructure and housing shortages.
- Education Innovation
- The creation of 3D-printed schools shows potential for using innovative building techniques to provide education solutions in under-resourced areas.
Where This Applies
- Construction
- The construction industry can integrate 3D printing to create faster and more cost-effective building solutions.
- Non-profit
- Non-profit organizations can use innovative construction methods to meet social impact goals such as providing education or housing in under-resourced areas.
- Education
- The use of innovative building techniques such as 3D printing can provide new educational opportunities and solutions in under-resourced areas.
