Cutting-edge Australian 3D printing building and construction company, Luyten, has built the world’s first 3D printed house in the southern hemisphere.
The house has been built in Luyten’s manufacturing warehouse in Melbourne, Australia.
Referred to as the ‘Heptapod’, the structure is Australia and New Zealand building code (AS/NSZ 1170) compliant and has been built using Luyten’s highly robust and eco-friendly Ultimatecrete 3D printable concrete which results in 82.5 MPa compressive strength after 28 days, four times stronger than the 20 MPa residential building code requires.
Founded in 2020, Luyten is focused on bridging the technological gap in large-scale and manufacturing industries through the introduction of robust construction automation technologies such as cutting-edge 3D printing and additive technologies.
The company designs and manufactures custom large-scale three-dimensional construction printers for use in domestic and commercial construction.
The cofounders behind Luyten are Ahmed Mahil, Dr Godfrey Keung (Chief Scientific Officer), Dr Michael Stanley (Chief Technology Officer) and Shaun Heap (Chief Information Officer).
Luyten has been forging strategic partnerships
Since launching in 2020, the business has since forged a key partnership with the University of New South Wales, to build structures on the moon and on other planets including Mars.
Luyten 3D cofounder and CEO, Ahmed Mahil said, “We are ecstatic with the 3D printing of our first house. The structure looks great and it only took three business days to build.”
“It is an example of the type of structure that can be built using our innovative 3D printing technology and will give people a chance to touch a 3D printed home before ordering one.”
“The Heptapod elements were printed in two days and assembled on day three. Printed elements were ready to handle and be moved within only five hours of being printed.”
“This is the great thing about our special concrete mix, it cures quickly and delivers results that supersede what is currently available at four times less cost.”
“In addition, the build cost 70% less in comparison to traditional methods. We got quotes from four different continents when making the cost analysis.”
Luyten in support of tiny house movement
According to Mahil, the Heptapod is designed to give residents a more immersive experience with nature. It also complements and supports the fast-growing tiny houses movement.
“The Heptapod is a very versatile and aesthetically pleasing home that can be built to any size, requirement and style. The concrete walls can also be retained in their natural state, or they can be painted or even smoothed further depending on the client’s taste.”
“Light fixtures and fittings can be tailored depending on the style requirements of the owner.”
“Because of the load capacity of the structure, the Heptapod is ideal for remote locations as it works well with changing temperatures, harsh climate and weather events.”
“We have already taken many orders for the Heptapod where they will be used for affordable housing in regional areas of the country, through to the establishment of schools and accommodation offerings as well. We are also receiving enquiries for orders from overseas.”
Luyten’s mission to cut construction cost and time
Since launching, Luyten’s mission has been to make construction more sustainable across a broad range of industries by reducing the time and cost to build, the amount of construction waste generated, and the impact of build activities on the surrounding environment.
Luyten’s cutting-edge 3D printing and additive technologies have become a worldwide success story as companies across the globe scramble to purchase its printers.
“Luyten transforms construction projects that traditionally take months or years to complete, and finishes them within a number of days.”
“The 3D concrete printing revolutionary technology reduces 60% of construction waste, 70% of production time, and 80% of labour costs when comparing hands-on construction projects.”
“In addition, the technology is proven to increase construction site efficiency with 60% guaranteed costs savings, 300 to 500 times shorter execution times, and an 80% total reduction in monetary expenses without formwork in concrete construction.”
“The world has never seen capabilities like this before.”
“We are the first start-up of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Luyten has a number of unique selling points that are also unmatched internationally, such as its capacity to incorporate acoustic and optical-based artificial intelligence for data-driven concrete printing.”
“Our invention also has a patented anti-clogging printer head, which means that the technology can produce state-of-the-art results time after time.”
Luyten committed to environmental preservation
According to Mahil, a focus area that has surfaced throughout the last ten years in the construction industry is the environmental impact of the sector’s practices.
“When forming Luyten, we were cognisant of the industry’s carbon footprint, and determined to create construction solutions for generations to come that reduce emissions.”
“Our unmatched technology employs up to 40% less carbon dioxide emissions through propriety mixes that reduce use of cement, and the robotic systems reduce construction site and logistics carbon dioxide footprints by 50% to 70%.”
Luyten designs and manufactures custom large-scale three-dimensional concrete printers that cater for all project needs on-site from conceptual design through to the final product.
The business offers 3D concrete printing solutions for the incorporation of three-dimensional membranes on traditional construction sites, as well as on-site concrete printing consultations, operational assistance, and rental service offerings.
Luyten is already in advanced talks with overseas businesses keen to utilise the technology.
