IRELAND’S FIRST 3D PRINTED HOUSES COMPLETED FOR LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL

Three Families To Receive Keys To Homes 

The first residential housing development constructed using 3D Construction Technology (3DCP) has been completed in Dundalk, Co. Louth. Three two-storey, three-bedroom terraced units, each with a gross internal area of 110 m², have been delivered for Louth County Council. An official event was held in Dundalk on February 6th to formally hand the homes over to three local families previously on the Louth local authority housing list.

The 3D printed housing development at Grange Close in Dundalk is the culmination of a partnership between Louth County Council and Irish construction technology company HTL.tech, Roadstone Ltd, Louth & Meath Education & Training Board (LMETB) and Harcourt Architects. Three families will move into these homes in February, marking a milestone as the first residents to live in 3D construction printed homes in Ireland or the UK.

The houses are built using market-leading COBOD 3D construction printing technology that automates the concrete laying process, resulting in time and cost savings, improved structural integrity, and the more efficient use of resources. The A2-rated homes are BCaR compliant and have received Certificates of Compliance upon Completion from Louth County Council Control in December 2024 and align with the Government’s goal of employing Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to achieve its Housing For All objectives.

Louth County Council hosted an official event at Grange Close, Dundalk, on February 6th at 14.30 hrs to formally hand the homes to three local families. The event was  officiated by David Conway, CEO of Louth County Council, Cllr. Kevin Callan, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council and Cllr. Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District.

Speaking ahead of the official launch, Justin Kinsella, Managing Director & Co-Founder of Harcourt Technologies Ltd (HTL.tech) said:
“Louth County Council is a progressive, forward-thinking local authority, and it has been a pleasure to work in partnership with the council to deliver this project – Ireland’s first 3D printed housing development. At Harcourt Technologies we have successfully demonstrated the benefits of the technology in delivering a traditional and trusted concrete cavity wall construction with remarkable efficiency – 60% faster than conventional methods and reducing the overall project delivery by 35%. Thanks to our partnership with Roadstone, we’re now positioned to scale up this solution across Ireland and help contribute to the much-needed supply of cost-effective, and sustainable housing throughout the country.”

David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, said:
“Louth County Council welcomes the completion of these new, A2-rated houses, which will provide comfortable homes for three families, and I wish the new residents the very best for the future. The quality of the units and the impressive build duration are a testament to the successful collaboration between Louth County Council, HTL.tech, the LMETB, Roadstone Ltd and Harcourt Architects. The provision of high-quality, sustainable housing remains a key objective for Louth County Council, and this project demonstrates how innovation and partnership can help us achieve that goal.”

Construction of the three houses at Grange Close began on May 22nd 2024 and was completed on November 28th 2024. B&C Contractors led the building works for this first-of-its-kind project, working closely with HTL.tech and Roadstone to bring 3D construction printing from planning to reality. The printed superstructures were achieved in 12 print days (with a total machine on-site time of 18 working days). The development showcases the effectiveness of Additive Construction (AC) technology, which reduced construction timelines by over 35% and exemplifies how AC technology can transform housing delivery.

Paddy Diviney, Commercial Manager, Roadstone added: “Roadstone is delighted to see the launch of this project, and very happy for the families who are now moving into Irelands first 3D printed homes. Roadstone is a solutions-oriented business committed to driving innovation and sustainability. Partnering with Harcourt Technologies Ltd we were able to deliver this future-based approach to construction for Louth Meath Co. Council. Integrating new technology and traditional building materials offers a new era of efficiency and quality. Improvement in delivery times and reduction in carbon is key in working towards a sustainable future. Collaboration between Roadstone technical staff and the team at HTL, combined with access to our industry-leading R&D laboratory, has facilitated the development of an efficient and high-tech method of construction.”

The success of the Grange Close project is also attributed to the involvement of Louth & Meath Education & Training Board (LMETB), which provided critical training and upskilling to workers in 3D Construction Printing technology. As the construction industry faces the dual challenges of an ageing workforce and declining interest among the younger generation, LMETB takes a proactive stance in addressing these issues through training focused on 3DCP technology. Against the backdrop of Co. Louth’s pioneering housing project, Grange Close, the spotlight is on efforts to reskill, upskill, and foster inclusivity in the construction sector.

Martin O’Brien, Chief Executive of LMETB and the Advanced Training and Manufacturing Centre of Excellence said: “The Grange Close project is a testament to what can be achieved when forward-thinking ideas and collaborative efforts come together. We are proud to play a central role in delivering Ireland’s first 3D printed homes, which will provide much-needed housing to families in Louth”.

The award-winning project at Grange Close, Dundalk, has received the ‘Standards Innovation Award’ from the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) for adhering to the I.S. EN ISO/ASTM 52939:2023 Additive Construction standard, ensuring quality and safety in additive manufacturing for construction. Grange Close was also shortlisted for the Irish Climate Change Leadership Awards (ICCLA) in the Green Building Project category.

The completion of Grange Close exemplifies the opportunity presented by this technology to help address Ireland’s housing challenges. This project sets the stage for expanding 3DCP technology throughout Ireland and beyond, signalling a significant shift in housing innovation and a clear pathway towards sustainable and accessible housing for all.

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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: michael@irishconstruction.com      WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE