Reducing construction time and costs is the goal of the Japanese company Lib Work, based in Kumamoto Prefecture. 3D printing in construction is no longer a futuristic concept; it has become a fundamental part of the industry. From office buildings to 3D-printed Starbucks locations and even sustainable biocomposite structures, additive manufacturing offers construction companies a wide range of innovative possibilities. For this reason, Lib Work is now entering mass production of 3D-printed houses in Japan. According to the company, the goal is to complete around 10,000 houses by the year 2040.
Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world, placing a unique burden on construction companies and the design of residential buildings. In January 2024, Ishikawa Prefecture experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5, followed by a 6.2 aftershock. The tremors destroyed many homes and damaged centuries-old temples. Reports described the quake as having caused “catastrophic damage.”
The Potential of 3D Printing in Japan
Lib Work sees great potential in using 3D printing for residential construction as a way to counter the potentially devastating effects of earthquakes. The model home built in Yamaga combines a load-bearing wooden frame with walls made from a special clay mixture, without using any concrete. Because of the wooden structure, the construction time for these models will take several months rather than just a few days, as is the case with fully 3D-printed buildings. The targeted average construction time, including interior finishing, is about six weeks.
The houses are designed to withstand earthquakes up to level 3 on the Shindo scale, which is the highest earthquake resistance level required for residential buildings. Lib Work is one of the first companies in Japan to use large-scale 3D printers. In addition to the earthquake resilience of the homes, the project also addresses another challenge. Like Germany, Japan faces a shortage of skilled labor in the construction sector, particularly in rural areas. Unlike Germany, however, Japan does not benefit from regular immigration to fill these positions. As a result, the labor shortage could at least temporarily be mitigated through automation technologies such as 3D printing.
The modern house was built on an area of approximately 100 square meters.
A Closer Look at the House Itself
The cost of a house is expected to be around 20 million yen (approximately €116,000 / $135,150). For comparison, according to a study by Tokyo Kantei, the average price of a 70-square-meter apartment in Tokyo is 100.9 million yen (about €585,000 / $681,327). The targeted entry price of the 3D-printed homes could therefore be highly attractive for many residents in urban areas. Of course, Tokyo is an outlier. On average, a single-family home in Japan costs between 30 and 50 million yen. Even so, Lib Work positions itself as a more affordable alternative compared to many traditional construction companies.
The house offers a 50 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional concrete structures of the same 100-square-meter size and, in certain lifecycle scenarios, even outperforms wood. Sensors embedded in the walls continuously monitor temperature and humidity, detecting condensation and material wear in advance. Additionally, the home is designed to support a sustainable lifestyle through an off-grid power system, achieved by combining solar energy generation with Tesla’s “Powerwall” storage battery. Alongside a combined living, dining, and kitchen area, a toilet, bathroom, and living room, the house is designed around a central courtyard to naturally harness light and wind for ventilation and comfort.
The open design allows for plenty of natural light. (For reference, from bottom right to left: リビング (living room), ダイニング (dining room), キッチン (kitchen), 玄関 (entrance), 中庭 (courtyard), 寝室 (bedroom), 書斎 (study); the bathroom is at the top left.)
In the future, Lib Work also plans to expand into international markets. Starting in August, interested buyers in Japan will already be able to place pre-orders. We’re curious to see how Lib Work’s project continues to develop. You can find more information HERE.
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*Photo Credits: Lib Work