3D Printing Applications in the GCC Housing Market (2025-10)¶

The last decade has witnessed a notable growth in Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies. commonly called 3D printing, this expansion is driven by evolving machines, materials, and techniques designed to explore geometric possibilities and structural applications, suggesting a new production landscape for the building industry. Concrete, a globally dominant construction material and notably abundant in the GCC region, has garnered significant attention in applications involving 3D printing for construction purposes. This paper highlights diverse applications of large-scale 3DCP, focusing on applications in the GCC. The paper pursues the following objectives: firstly, to analyze different approaches that effectively establish synergy between design, materials, and machines, towards developing contextual residential structures. Secondly, to study the distinctions between continuous and segmented production of building components, concentrating on processes and machines. Thirdly, to highlight various practices learned from projects realized in the GCC region. The outcome is to suggest alternatives for materials and processes to drive a contextually oriented approach to 3D printing residential structures.