The Germans are struggling to make a huge difference when it comes to the inexpensive construction of apartments. Project developers and the construction industry are constantly claiming that a new apartment can hardly be built today for less than 2500 or even 3000 euros per square meter.
Related: WATCH A GIANT HOUSE-BUILDING ROBOT LAY 1,000 BRICKS PER HOUR
That it can also be different, has now proved an American-Russian start-up. A 3-D print robot from the company Apis Cor has printed the shell of a complete house. Including all the extensions – doors, windows, façade and technical equipment – the house cost just a little more than 10,000 dollars (converted around 9500 euros) as the company calculates on its website.
While German construction companies can produce just four square meters for this sum, Apis Cor is building a whole house for a single square meter of 260 euros for the same money.
The gross floor area of the yellow round building is around 38 square meters. For two people or temporarily a small family could be enough. According to the company, the company thinks of settlements that are quickly established, for example for refugees in crisis areas.
Shell construction within 24 hours
The 3-D printer looks like a small crane and sprays a special concrete mix during its slow turning movements. This produces round walls within a few hours, which can then be expanded immediately. This distinguishes this design from other 3-D techniques, which are already in use.
Until now, the manufacturers “print” single modules, which are then transported and assembled on site. Frequently adjustments are necessary. Here, however, the Apis Cor robot arrives at the construction site and immediately erects a completed building. The shell takes only 24 hours, and costs around 4000 dollars, the expansion further about 6000 dollars.
Do you know these robots can’t still match the quality of agents in Austin Texas, I myself bought a house with them and I’m happy with its quality.
Several companies were involved in the project, some of which produced special building materials. The most important partner was the Russian project developer PIK Companies. A Russian window manufacturer also supplied glasses with such high insulation values that they could not only defy the Russian winter but also meet the strict requirements of the German KfW-55 standard.
Special wall plaster came from Germany
But also a company from Germany was on board: Bitex from Obernburg on the Main delivered a mineral friction protection, which due to a special composition with tiny granite balls offers an additional insulating property. The facade paint, on the other hand, is particularly water-repellent and dirt-resistant.
The Korean technology group Samsung also participated and could score with one of its “curved” TV devices, which were otherwise in demand among the customers: the slightly curved screen ideally suited the round wall form of the building.
The cottage was built on a company premises in Stupino near Moscow. The technicians had to deal with temperatures of up to minus 35 degrees. On the other hand, an ambient temperature of at least five degrees is better. Under such conditions even an even faster construction is possible, according to Apis Cor.
