Qatar launches world’s largest 3D-printed building project with two futuristic schools

Dubai: Qatar has launched the world’s largest construction project using 3D printing technology, officially beginning the printing phase of two massive public schools in Doha, a global first in scale, ambition, and digital innovation.

The project, led by UCC Holding in partnership with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), marks a major milestone in construction history.

Each school will cover 20,000 square meters, bringing the total 3D-printed build to 40,000 square meters, 40 times larger than any 3D-printed structure previously built worldwide.

Part of an initiative to construct 14 new public schools across the country, the two digitally fabricated buildings are designed as two-storey educational facilities, each situated on a 100-by-100-meter plot.

The project is set to redefine how large-scale public infrastructure can be delivered using sustainable, efficient, and digitally driven methods.

To deliver the unprecedented build, UCC commissioned COBOD, a Danish global leader in 3D construction printing, to supply two BODXL printers, each measuring 50 meters in length, 30 meters in width, and 15 meters in height, roughly the size of a Boeing 737 hangar. These are the largest construction printers in the world.

Following months of preparation, which included site development, printer assembly, and over 100 full-scale trial prints at a dedicated test site in Doha, on-site printing officially began in June. UCC’s specialized team of engineers, architects, material scientists, and printer technicians has also worked alongside COBOD to refine print materials, test durability under Qatar’s climate, and develop a custom nozzle for enhanced precision.

In May, the team underwent intensive training with COBOD engineers, covering everything from printer operation to live quality control, a move that cements Qatar’s position as a regional leader in advanced construction technologies.

Compared to traditional methods, 3D printing significantly cuts raw material waste, lowers carbon emissions, reduces transportation needs, and accelerates construction timelines.

The printing process also takes place at night to avoid the intense daytime heat, further improving the durability of the concrete and reducing dust and noise pollution.

Architecturally, the schools, scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, will feature curved, dune-like walls inspired by Qatar’s desert landscapes, a design only made possible by the geometric freedom of 3D printing.

-- Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE