Europe’s Largest 3D Printed Apartment Building Completed

The successful completion of the ViliaSprint² project in Bezannes, France, represents a significant technological milestone for the European residential sector, offering a viable blueprint for UK main contractors and developers seeking to improve project delivery timelines and operational efficiency. As the largest 3D-printed multi-family residential building in Europe, the three-story, 800-square-meter structure was completed three months faster than conventional construction methods would permit. Utilizing a COBOD BOD2 gantry system, PERI 3D Construction and the developer Plurial Novilia demonstrated that on-site 3D printing of both load-bearing structures and internal walls can reduce shell construction time by approximately 50%. Such efficiencies are increasingly critical for the UK market, where housing delivery targets and infrastructure demands require a fundamental shift in productivity and resource management.

The project provides actionable data for the construction supply chain, particularly regarding labor requirements and material efficiency. ViliaSprint² required only three site operators compared to the six typically needed for traditional shell construction, suggesting a high-tech solution to the systemic skills shortages currently impacting UK site operations. Furthermore, the use of Holcim’s TectorPrint technology and ECOPact low-carbon concrete resulted in a reduction of material waste from 10% to 5%, while the architectural freedom afforded by 3D printing allowed for optimized curved geometries that saved an additional 10% in concrete volume. For UK suppliers and subcontractors, these figures highlight a growing demand for specialized printable materials and digital expertise in robotic construction management.

Environmental performance remains a central driver for the adoption of this technology. The building adheres to stringent sustainability standards through the integration of perlite insulation, timber balcony structures, and 500 square meters of photovoltaic panels, achieving 60% energy self-sufficiency. This holistic approach to sustainable development offers significant opportunities for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) specialists and renewable energy providers to integrate their systems into automated build sequences. With a follow-on project of 40 apartments already in the planning phase—utilizing dual printers to further accelerate delivery—the scaling of 3D construction printing is transitioning from a pilot phase to a commercial reality. UK firms specializing in digital twin modeling, high-performance concrete additives, and automated site logistics must now position themselves to support the transition toward low-waste, high-speed construction workflows to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving international market.

Image: Plurial Novilia Street-level view of ViliaSprint², Europe’s largest 3D printed multi-family building, in Bezannes, France.