Manitobans may soon be living in 3D-printed homes, with one construction company already using the cutting-edge technology. The company is called Gardon Construction, and it’s developing a 3D-printing system that’s making laying down concrete as easy as adding icing to a cake. The technology works like a normal 3D printer, but on a much bigger scale. “The material formulations and sophistication is highly more intelligent than conventional concrete,” said Jeff Olafson with Gardon Construction. The company uses a specialized type of printable cement material called SikaCrete®-733 3D, developed by Sika USA. It can be placed by a robotic arm, sort of like squeezing out toothpaste from a tube. What sets this apart from traditional construction technology is that the concrete is self-supporting within seconds. It can also be formed into any shape the builder imagines without the need for wooden boards holding the concrete in place while it cures. “It’s totally transforming how we can approach construction because we’re no longer constrained by, we’ll say, the traditional methods of building,” said architect Dave Hoag with MCM Architects Inc. Once the building has been designed inside Gardon’s computers, it can be perfectly duplicated anywhere you bring the printer. “It’s not like you’re going to get a different framing crew or a different masonry crew that’s going to have different ideas to approach the building,” Olafson said. “With 100 per cent certainty, we can guarantee that the layouts will be exact.” Gardon Construction has already built a building using the 3D printing technology as a proof of concept. Officials say it could soon be put to work on a real project. “We do have an investment group that is actually seriously considering using this method of construction for, believe it or not, Airbnb, summer homes,” Olafson said. The company also believes 3D-printed buildings could be perfect for high-risk environments vulnerable to wildfires or flooding. Today, the technique costs roughly 30 per cent more than traditional construction. However, as it’s an emerging technology, the company believes costs will fall in the next year or two as material systems mature and the industry gains more practical field experience.
