World's First 3D-printed Office Launched in Dubai

Announced in June 2015, the world’s first 3D printed office has been officially opened in Dubai. The new building's purpose is to showcase the United Arab Emirates' commitment to innovation and looking to the future, and promote the UAE as a world leader in 3D printing.

The opening of the first 3D-printed office in the world comes less than a month after launching Dubai 3D printing strategy, which showcases a modern model of construction. "We implement what we plan and we pursue actions not theories. The rapidly changing world requires us to accelerate our pace of development as history does not recognize plans but achievements," Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai ,His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said  during the grand opening of the building.

He said that the project is a case study of the benefits regulators as well as research and development centres at the regional and international levels on real application of 3D printing technology, adding that the emirate empire is documenting this experience and building on it to take advantage of the most important lessons, which will serve as reference points to take this technology to new levels.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed pointed out that the competitive advantages of 3D printing, in term of lower costs and faster delivery, will make the UAE one of the most important sustainable economic hubs, enabling the effective use of this technology to establish future cities in all sectors.

The building is the first of its kind in the world prepared for actual use, taken into account the integration of a unique building design and 3D-printing technology to offer key services within the building, such as electricity, water, telecommunications and air-conditioning.

He informed that, the office space covers up to 250 square metres, while the exterior design reflects the most innovative forms of future work place. He said the design has been conceived to achieve a shift from the traditional form of work environments and provide greater opportunities to stimulate innovation and communication between work place teams.

The Empire  stated that, the building also offers the possibilities for joint work with experts and innovators from around the world, and a platform to inspire ideas and develop relations between employees by establishing new methods for brainstorming sessions and creating a healthy and happy environment, adding that the design offers space for exhibitions and workshops as well as other events.

The 3D-printed office was constructed using a special mixture of cement and a set of building material designed and made in the UAE and the United States. These materials have undergone a range of tests in both China and the United Kingdom to ensure their reliability. An arc shape was adopted for the building for safety purposes and to ensure the stability of the building.

Innovative features have been adopted in the office building to reduce energy consumption such as window shades to offer protection from direct sunlight and keep the building cool. Latest technology has been used in the management of information systems within the building.

The initiative comes as part of Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, which is a unique global initiative aimed to harness this promising technology for the service of humanity and promote the status of the UAE and Dubai as a leading global centre of 3D printing by 2030. The strategy focuses on three main sectors: construction, medical products, and consumer products.