The 3D printed office building.
The world's first functional 3D printed building was inaugurated in Dubai by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Dubai, Dubai daily Gulfnews reported on Tuesday.
The 3D printed building is an office space covering up to 250 square metres, with its exterior design reflecting "the most innovative forms of the future workplace," said the report.
Innovative features adopted in the office building to reduce energy consumption include window shades for protection from direct sunlight and keeping the building cool.
The latest technology was used in information systems management in the building, said the report, and the design offers space for exhibitions and workshops as well as other events.
A 3D printer measuring 20 feet high, 120 feet long and 40 feet wide was used to print the building. The printer uses an automated robotic arm in the printing process.
The office building, located in the Business Bay area, only has one ground floor, surrounded by a small park.
The design was conceived with the aim of shifting the traditional work environment in order to improve innovation and communication in the workplace.
The 3D printed office building was constructed using a special mixture of cement and a set of building materials designed and made in the UAE and the United States.
The building materials underwent a range of tests in China and Britain to ensure their reliability, and the arc shape adopted for the building is for safety purposes as it ensures the building's stability.
