Argentine entrepreneur aims to build 3D-printed homes in 48 hours

Mateo Salvatto, a 27-year-old entrepreneur, is bringing 3D-printed concrete construction to Argentina, a technology that has already begun to reshape the global building industry. His company, Grondplek, is poised to print the first 3D houses in the country, aiming to revolutionize construction with speed and efficiency.

“

A 120 m² house can have the gray work ready in 48 hours.

Salvatto explained that a 120-square-meter house can have its "gray work", the structural shell, completed in just 48 hours. This innovative approach promises a significant reduction in construction time compared to traditional methods. The startup offers services ranging from urban and rural development to modular stations and corporate construction.

“

We are projecting to print the first 3D houses from the border with the United States downwards.

The cost for this advanced construction method is estimated to be between $700 and $750 per square meter for the building's envelope. Salvatto anticipates the technology's arrival in Argentina will be very soon, with a dedicated housing 3D printer currently in the process of being imported. His team is the first in the region certified for the operation, maintenance, and scalability of this technology, bringing international expertise from Europe, North America, and Asia.

“

The construction cost is between US$700/m² and US$750/m².

The printing process involves a large machine, approximately 11 meters by 11 meters and 7 meters high, which extrudes a concrete mixture. This mixture is combined with additives and printed layer by layer at a remarkable speed. The resulting structure is a monolithic concrete block created on-site, eliminating the need for transportation of pre-fabricated components. The machine itself can be assembled on location in about four hours, directly at the building site.

“

We are in the process of bringing it [the machine].