By Jaidyn Kennedy
A meeting that may influence the future of housing construction in Victoria recently took place in Wyndham.
Housing minister Harriet Shing and Werribee MP John Lister visited a house being constructed by a 3D printer in Wyndham Vale on Thursday, July 17.
Among the features of the house, designed by AI and executed by the 3D printer, is a self-shading wall, a wall with air pockets, cavities for power conduits and even a pizza oven.
Ahmed Mahil, the chief executive of Luyten, a 3D concrete printing technology company, led a tour around the site.
Mr Mahil said he believes 3D printing will allow small-to-medium-sized businesses to produce cheaper housing and overcome labour scarcity by replacing several trades involved in the traditional building process.
“We don’t believe the solution for the housing crisis lies in big builders being able to build more,” he said.
“We believe we are offering a tool for small business owners, and that is evident because we have sold to a number of companies in New South Wales.”
“We are replacing here five different trades and with the most resilient material – which is eco-friendly concrete.”
The house will actually be Mr Mahil’s own home.
“You know what, I have been preaching this for a while, I’m not going to just go and live in a traditional house, I am going to go live in a 3D-printed house,” he said.
Ms Shing said that innovative methods of construction will be part of addressing the challenge of providing more affordable housing at a faster pace.
“This is where 3D printing has proven to be a really significant player in the market globally,” she said.
“Across Scandinavia and the US in particular, 3D printing of homes and of buildings and of homes has been a really important part of making sure that the growth can be accommodated.”
Ms Shing said she is continuing to work with federal counterparts as part of a joint approach.
Mr Lister said he is excited about the opportunities such technology can provide for Wyndham.
“Having sites like this here in Wyndham, shows that Wyndham has always been a place where innovation happens,” he said.
