Entrepreneurship Zone: 27 November 2023 :: 3D printed homes in Kenya: A future blueprint for affordable housing?

Mon Nov 27 08:58:18 CAT 2023

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Entrepreneurship Zone: 27 November  2023 :: 3D printed homes in Kenya: A future blueprint for affordable housing?

Just outside the town of Kilifi on the Kenyan coast, approximately 70 kilometres north of Mombasa, stand 10 houses. These homes are the first phase of the 52-unit Mvule Gardens development, claiming to offer residents a family-friendly lifestyle in a peaceful neighbourhood. “A home where you can live life to the fullest and make your most treasured memories,” reads the marketing pitch.

Yet, these are no ordinary homes. Rather than built by hand using conventional methods, they were printed using a giant 3D concrete printer.

The company behind the project is a for-profit startup called 14 Trees. Its investors are Holcim, a Swiss-based building materials company, and British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution. Established in 2016, with a mission to commercialise affordable and eco-friendly construction technologies, the company first focused on sustainable building bricks. However, in 2020 it pivoted to 3D printed buildings, initially using a printer from another manufacturer to construct houses and schools in Africa. This year, 14 Trees announced the launch of its own 3D printing technology, manufactured in Johannesburg by a local outfit called Pan Mixers South Africa.

François Perrot

The newly introduced 3D concrete printer, named Iroko, utilises a special concrete – made by 14 Trees’ investor Holcim – to build structures layer by layer. Its aluminum frame is light and quick to assemble, allowing it to be mounted without cranes and stored in a container, enabling easy transportation and deployment.

In an interview with How we made it in Africa, François Perrot, the managing director of 14 Trees, explained that the cost of building with the 3D printing technology is currently comparable to conventional construction methods. However, he anticipates a 20% cost reduction over the next 18 months as the company utilises its own printers, introduces new designs, and benefits from cheaper raw materials.

As environmentally-friendly buildings become more of a thing in the construction industry, one of 14 Trees’ key selling points is its buildings’ lower CO2 emissions compared to standard cement production methods. The real estate sector is responsible for nearly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, with substantial contributions from the manufacturing of raw materials, packaging, and transportation. 14 Trees claims its method can reduce a building’s carbon footprint by up to 70% in comparison to traditional processes.

According to Perrot, the company is able to construct the walls of a house within half a week. The entire process, from the initial excavation to adding the roof and painting, takes about one month.

14 Trees’ 3D concrete printer

The company has two primary revenue streams. The first involves constructing 3D printed projects, either for clients or as part of its own developments. For example, the company has constructed a school in Malawi for a major international organisation, while for its Kenyan housing project, it has purchased the land and is responsible for building and selling the houses. However, Perrot notes that these projects are primarily aimed at showcasing the technology. The second, and potentially more significant revenue stream as the company expands, will be the sale of its 3D printing hardware and software to other construction firms.

While the aim is to market its solutions worldwide, Perrot emphasises that Africa will continue to be a key focus for the company. “It will remain a very important market for us, in particular for house construction – 2 million houses are needed in Kenya, [in] Nigeria its more than 10 million houses,” he says. He hopes to soon replicate the company’s Kenyan development in West and North Africa.

Perrot points out that one of the company’s key challenges is getting its technology approved within different countries’ building regulations. Additionally, he acknowledges that convincing homebuyers to adopt such a novel technology can be difficult, as purchasing or building a house is often an emotionally charged decision. Due to this, he finds that the technology is generally more easily accepted for projects like schools and warehouses, where emotional factors play a lesser role.

A 14 Trees 3D printed building under construction.

Interview with François Perrot
MANAGING DIRECTOR, 14 TREES

Lives in: Madrid, Spain

Howwemadeitinafrica

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DISCLAIMER: This report has been prepared by Bulls ‘n Bears, a division of Faith Capital (Pvt) Ltd for general information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for any securities. The information contained in this report has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty is made or guarantee given as to its accuracy or completeness. All opinions expressed and recommendations made are subject to change without notice. Securities or financial instruments mentioned herein may not be suitable for all investors. Securities of emerging and mid-size growth companies typically involve a higher degree of risk and more volatility than the securities of more established companies. Neither Faith Capital nor any other member of Bulls ‘n Bears nor any other person, accepts any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this report or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Recipients of this report shall be solely responsible for making their own independent investigation into the business, financial condition and future prospects of any companies referred to in this report. Other  Indices quoted herein are for guideline purposes only and sourced from third parties.

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