The Construction 3D Printing Landscape

A taxonomy of the technologies, approaches, and startups of the 3D printing ecosystem

“With a printer and a vision, architecture can finally behave like nature—endlessly adaptable, bespoke, and unconstrained by tradition.” - Bjarke Ingels, Architect

While 3D printing has been around for a while, it’s relatively new in building construction where it promises faster, cheaper, and more sustainable buildings. Imagine robotic arms extruding layers of concrete to create entire communities in days rather than months.

As the construction industry faces mounting pressures from labor shortages, rising costs, and climate concerns, 3D printing companies are poised to help us evolve from centuries-old ways of building. This is alluring to venture investors looking for moonshots and government officials looking to respond to an American housing crisis. In reality, however, 3D printing has faced significant hurdles that have largely kept it from viability at scale.

Today’s letter tackles the 3D printing industry, including:

• An overview of industrial construction with an emphasis on 3D printing;

• A categorization of key players within the 3D printing sector in the US;

• Insights into the industry's future grounded in present-day realities; and

• Practical guidance for developers considering 3D printing for their projects.