Malawi welcomes the worlds first 3D-printed school
Malawi welcomes the world's first 3D-printed school
The school was constructed in Malawi's Salima district (population 38,000), and its walls were printed in less than 18 hours, as opposed to several days with conventional building materials. This week, the school was officially transferred to the Kalonga village community in Salima district's Yambe zone. Children began their new school year on June 21. The school demonstrates how 3D printing can help close the world's education infrastructure gap by rapidly building high-quality classrooms for children in a sustainable, affordable, and timely manner.
“I am extremely proud of our colleagues at 14Trees for deploying cutting-edge 3D printing technology to address such a critical infrastructure need,” said Miljan Gutovic, Region Head of Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Holcim Group. Now that the concept has been validated in Malawi, we look forward to scaling up this technology throughout the region, with projects already underway in Kenya and Zimbabwe.”
Tenbite Ermias, CDC's Managing Director for Africa, stated: "The implementation of 14Trees' world-class, cutting-edge technology will have a profound developmental impact on Malawi and the wider region." It is an excellent illustration of how we are investing in businesses that can help achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.”
Juliana Kuphanga Chikandila, Primary Education Advisor, speaking on behalf of Malawi's Director of Education, Youth, and Sports, said: "Previously, the Yambe zone had 12 schools; now, we have 13 – thanks to this new 3D printed school." To expand our educational opportunities for children, we require four additional primary schools in the Yambe zone, but the district as a whole requires approximately 50 additional schools to serve those in need. I am extremely impressed with the new building; its durability and design provide students with space and amenities that they previously lacked; teaching and learning can now take place both inside and outside the classroom. It stands in stark contrast to the schools currently under construction in the Yambe zone and Salima district. This school will attract more students, and those who previously abandoned education will re-enter.”
By utilizing a proprietary LafargeHolcim ink, this innovative 3D printing process significantly reduces the time, cost, and materials required to construct housing and schools, while also reducing their environmental impact by more than 50% compared to conventional methods. UNICEF estimates that Malawi alone is in desperate need of 36,000 classrooms, which would take 70 years to build using conventional methods. According to 14Trees, this infrastructure gap could be closed in as little as ten years through the use of 3D printing. 14Trees is committed to resolving this chronic shortage at scale and sustainably, beginning with the most vulnerable families and communities.
These projects will sustain skilled job creation by hiring and upskilling local experts in dynamic roles ranging from 3D machine operators to material specialists who will work in collaboration with local builders on carpentry, roofing, and painting projects, among others. Along with the school in Salima district, 14Trees constructed its first 3DP prototype house in Lilongwe, Malawi, in just 12 hours, versus nearly four days using conventional methods.
About 14Trees
14Trees is a joint venture between LafargeHolcim and CDC Group focused on affordable housing, education, and social infrastructure development in Africa. It was established with the objective of accelerating the production and commercialization of environmentally friendly, cost-effective construction solutions in Africa. 14Trees leverages the expertise of LafargeHolcim's research and development center, the world's leading research center for building materials, to accelerate the adoption of environmentally friendly solutions such as LafargeHolcim's earth brick Durabric and 3D printing.
Courses and Certification
3D Animation Course and Certificate
