The Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTP) which is home to the region’s first 3D printed house, is now exploring new applications for this technology, including in the field of street furniture.
Middle East Engineering Technologies (MEET) and SRTIP hosted a workshop titled “Innovating Street Furniture with 3D Concrete Printing” at the 3D-Printed House at SRTI Park, in an effort to disseminate knowledge in the latest construction and digital fabrication technologies.
Haidar Alhaidary, projects executive at MEET, presented various insights into the new technology, and explained unique features of the 3D printed villa, and the possibilities for innovating concrete street furniture. A follow-up discussion with the attending professors, young engineers, and students explored public opinion on the technology and the various pathways it is expected to take as it enters into universities’ future engineering programmes. The attendees also visited the 3D Concrete Printing facility at the 3D House and watched the robotic printer in action.
MEET is committed to collaborate and contribute along with its key partners to further the technology, being one of the first organisations regionally and globally to adopt 3D concrete printing, and having built the first 3D-printed villa in the UAE.
Global interest in 3D concrete printing has been exponentially increasing since 2016 with numerous applications being explored in an attempt to maximise the benefits of the technology. The 3D Printed House at SRTI Park is an architectural marvel. The entire house was built with cutting-edge technology, incorporating the heritage of the UAE, and symbolising Sharjah’s vision to be a hub for the 3D printing technology.
SRTI Park, by introducing 3D-printing, has created a vibrant and supportive environment for experiments and research in the field of future building technologies and fourth generation technologies. The technology is considered to be one of the most innovative ways to build an integrated residential unit through the use of digital machineries.
