Kenya to Develop “Africa’s Largest” 3D-Printed Affordable Housing Project

Thanks to cutting-edge 3D printing technology, a new neighborhood near Mombasa, Kenya, will be built in record time.

14Trees, a joint venture between Holcim and CDC Group, the UK’s development finance institution, announced today that it will develop Africa’s largest 3D-printed affordable housing project. The 52-house Mvule Gardens project will be built in Kilifi, Kenya, north of Mombasa.

14Trees built the world’s first 3D printed school in Malawi’s Salima district earlier this year. The advancement came after the company’s first 3D-printed prototype house in Lilongwe, Malawi, which was built with precision in less than 12 hours, compared to the four days it takes to build a home using traditional building practices.

The new complex in Kenya underscores 14Trees’ forward plan to support Africa’s construction innovation and further develop 3D printing technology across the continent, building on a track record of speed and progress.

Holcim’s proprietary ink, TectorPrint, made this project possible by giving the walls structural function to bear the load of the building. When compared to traditional processes, the new technique reduces the environmental footprint by more than half and lowers CO2 emissions typical of standard cement production methods.

Furthermore, 14Trees identifies natural fiber components to strengthen best practices in 3D printing for construction in Africa and creates locally based skilled jobs in areas such as sustainability and 3D technology operations, among others.

The new 52-house community will be part of the regenerative ecosystem Green Heart of Kenya, a Kenyan model for inclusive and climate-resilient cities. The project exemplifies 14Trees’ commitment to sustainability, as it received the IFC-EDGE advanced sustainable design certification, which recognizes resource-efficient and zero-carbon buildings.

Furthermore, the purpose-built design by MASS Design Group, an architectural firm based in the United States and Africa, aims to provide modern and replicable housing units tailored to the needs of underserved communities among lower-income households. Mvule Gardens will be built by 14Trees in the first quarter of 2022.

“We are thrilled to be working in Kenya on one of the world’s largest 3D-printed affordable housing projects.” With today’s rapid urbanization, it is expected that over three billion people will require affordable housing by 2030. This problem is most acute in Africa, where countries such as Kenya are already facing a two-million-house shortage. “By deploying 3D printing on a large scale, we can address this infrastructure gap and raise living standards for all,” says Jan Jenisch, CEO of Holcim.

The innovation is a valuable, quick, and cost-effective solution to Sub-Saharan Africa’s housing deficit, which is estimated to be 50 million units. Commenting on 14Trees’ ability to build safe, well-located, and dependable homes for African communities.