Something for the weekend: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has unveiled the world’s first functioning 3D-printed office.
The office was built in just 17 days using cement and building materials produced in the UAE and United States. The materials underwent testing in the UK and China.
The 250m2 building is located on the Emirates Towers premises and will temporarily home Dubai Future Foundation’s employees.
The office space has been designed to provide a working environment that fosters collaboration and innovation among staff, and it will include an area for exhibitions, workshops and events.
The printed building also includes a number of features to reduce energy consumption, such as window shades to protect it from direct sunlight and keep the building cool.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, said: “We see this project as a case study that will benefit regulators as well as research and development centres at the regional and international levels on real application of 3D printing technology. We are documenting this experience and building on it to take advantage of the most important lessons, which will serve as reference points to take this technology to new levels.”
At EB HQ we’ve been wondering what kind of office we would 3D print. We’re tempted by a castle…