The world’s first 3D printed school

Non-profit Thinking Huts aims to close the global opportunity gap with the power of 3D printing. The first 3D printed school, designed by Studio Mortazavi, is planned in Madagascar.

3D printed buildings use less concrete than the average building and reduce construction time. The concrete Thinking Huts uses is able to withstand environmental pressure and emits less CO2 compared to traditional concrete thanks to recycled components.

The school is planned in the south-central region of Madagascar on university campus of Ecole de Management et d’Innovation Technologique (EMIT). The location was chosen because of “its stable political outlook in an emerging economy, opportunity for growth, as well as renewable energy potential.”

To construct the school, an architectural scale printer extrudes the construction material layer by layer. The exterior will consist of two narrow walls with a hollow or honeycombed centre, which reduces the amount of cement used and can be insulated if needed.

In addition to concrete, the school will be a hybrid of 3D printed walls and locally-sourced materials for the construction of the roof, doors and windows. The roof will be made from galvanised metal covered with native grass.

The first school, called Hut v1.0, will be used as a prototype to test the portability and cost-effectiveness of the design.

Images: Studio Mortazavi (via New Atlas)