C3PO

In 2020, the project partners printed the first house with a stationary printer. The KIEM project, "Knowledge sharing - Inspiration -Eliminating barriers - Market introduction", aims to accelerate the introduction of 3D concrete printing technology in the construction industry.

The aim of the 3D concrete printing project KIEM is:

1. (K) Knowledge sharing of experiences gained during C3PO project through master classes, a concrete expo, digital teaching materials, train-the-trainer sessions and an embedding of the technology in Thomas More curricula.
2. (I) Inspiration through co-creation: Through the kampcdaagtuit competition, we will co-create with companies, schools and architects. By printing everything conceived, we show the world what is possible and bring (potential) entrepreneurs to ideas. As a result, new talent and high potentials will find their way to the Kempen. With existing (international) initiatives (start-ups) already active in the field of 3D concrete printing to inject new knowledge into the Kempen. Cross-sectorally, we will (among other things) combine the creative sector with the construction sector in order to generate new ideas and let them flow through to the market.
3. (E) Elimination barriers: addressing current barriers of technology Think of: the discrepancy between the prevailing drawing technology and slicing software. But it also examines what stops the market from investing in this new technology.
4. (M) Market introduction: Valorise the technology by preparing a business plan, with the ultimate goal of preparing a spin-off. In this new phase, we want to further develop the function as a living lab and innovative hub of the Kempen by opening up the infrastructure for various purposes, i.e. we build an ecosystem around the 'exploitation' of the concrete printer and connect organisations and entrepreneurs to the technology and its operation in various ways.

The construction industry is often viewed as dirty and unattractive work that is physically demanding on workers. With traditional construction methods, work is slow. But the construction industry is changing and evolving into a high-tech environment: with 3D printing, a modern production technique is being integrated into the construction process. 3D printing in construction is booming in the rest of the world, in Flanders it has yet to take off. The C3PO project wanted to change this and accelerate the introduction of 3D printing in the construction sector in Flanders. Camp C succeeded in this by printing a demo house with a 3D concrete printer. The house was printed in one piece, which is unique in the world. C3PO will continue in the KIEM project, which aims to accelerate the introduction of 3D concrete printing technology in the construction sector.

Project partners

Thomas More, Vicre, Weber, Beneens, Etib/Concrete House and Trias Architects are project partners in the KIEM project. The project runs from 1/09/2020 to 31/08/2022 and is subsidised by the ERDF programme. The project budget is EUR 807,750 of which European funding is EUR 323,100 . Provincial funding: (via own contribution Camp C) amounts to EUR 231,000.

Press release: "World first: Kamp C first to print an entire house in one piece"

Project description C3PO

This action contributes to the provincial climate goals of the province of Antwerp bundled in Plan Today www.planvandaag.be.