Canadian 3D-printing construction company builds world’s first 3D-printed townhouse with a basement

nidus3D is a Canadian construction company that’s doing things a little differently. Founded in 2021, the company claims to deliver rapid, low-cost printed structures with automated, on-site 3D concrete printing. The printer they are primarily using is the BOD2 printer, which, for reference, is 770 times heavier than the Creality Ender-3 V3 3D printer ($419 on Amazon).

For one of their recent projects, nidus3D constructed four buildings each with four supportive housing units in Calgary (Canada). Also, just a few months ago in March, the company partnered with COBOD (a construction equipment supplier in Denmark) to successfully construct North America’s first 3D-printed three-story building. This structure, located in the Toronto area, boasts four residential units and a world-first: a 3D-printed basement.  

The 4,500-square-foot townhouse is one of the early proofs of the immense potential that 3D printing holds in the near-future. Beyond its architectural advantages, the project is environment-friendly. Concrete, which is the primary material for the 3D printers, is produced with less waste and generates fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional building methods. As the technology matures, it could help solve housing shortages while minimizing environmental impact.