People always ask “Why can’t we print more money to fix the economy” but nobody is asking “can we print more houses to fix the housing crisis?”

The first social housing project utilising 3D-generated building processes in Ireland and the UK is underway in Dundalk. Over the past two weeks, 3D printing concrete machines have been assembling three separate properties in Louth, with the final goal of achieving cheaper and faster affordable homes.

3D-printed housing takes 50 per cent of the time to construct, 80 per cent more automatable and uses 99 per cent less waste than traditional building methods. 3D printing a home is also 10-30 per cent cheaper to construct, giving the possibility of lower property prices in the future.

The company spearheading this method in Ireland, HTL.tech, already has plans for a “regeneration scheme” in Sligo. The plan would see a larger housing estate be built to develop the declining docklands area, with 21 units created within 3 months.

“Co. Louth is at the forefront of innovative technology aimed at offering a solution to Ireland’s housing shortage. The transformative potential of this technology is very exciting, offering a viable solution to help address our housing challenges,” said Justin Kinsella, MD and co-founder of HTL.tech.

In Maine, United States, 3D-printed modular homes are being conceptualised and built swiftly to combat the state’s housing crisis. The Irish government has pledged to build approximately 30,000 houses per year until 2030. However, the Housing Commission has estimated that 62,000 homes must be built every year until 2050 to house the Irish population.

Worries about how this novel process will impact the construction industry have been raised. However, Mr Kinsella is adamant that this allows for productivity to increase for the workers on site, rather than the loss of an industry. Currently, the construction sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, emitting 37% of global emissions.

Elsewhere on District: New “Affordable” Housing Costs €475,000