Japan Approves First Two-Storey 3D-Printed House

Japan has achieved a significant milestone in construction technology. The country’s first two-floor 3D-printed reinforced concrete house now stands complete in Miyagi Prefecture. This groundbreaking project meets Japan’s demanding seismic design requirements, marking a major step forward for additive manufacturing in earthquake-prone regions.

A New Era for 3D-Printed House Construction

The 3D-printed house spans 50 square metres across two floors. The ground floor measures 31 square metres, while the upper floor covers 19 square metres. Builders used a custom printer capable of reaching seven metres high. Additionally, the system could print from half a metre below ground level.

A four-person team operated the printer throughout the construction process. They worked in temperatures ranging from 10°C to over 35°C. Consequently, the project demonstrated the technology’s adaptability to various weather conditions. The team used 39 cubic metres of concrete material to complete the entire structure.

Cave-Inspired Architectural Design

The architectural design draws inspiration from natural cave formations. Curved geometry and 3D-printed arches define the building’s character. Moreover, the layered concrete walls create a distinctive textured exterior.

aThis image showcases the "cave-inspired" architectural volume. The horizontal striations—typical of the layer-by-layer printing process—are clearly visible on the grey concrete facade. The structure creates a striking contrast with the natural surroundings and the rigid concrete retaining wall, demonstrating the printer's ability to create free-form geometry reaching seven meters in height.aInterior bedroom space with a glass-enclosed bathroom inside a 3D-printed house, highlighting the textured layered walls and polished flooring. — The ground floor layout integrates living spaces with structural elements, featuring a glass-partitioned bathroom and a floating staircase against the textured walls. (Image © ONOCOM Co., Ltd., courtesy of ONOCOM Co., Ltd.)

The interior design extends this organic aesthetic throughout the home. Printed arches run longitudinally through the structure. The roof and floor feature printed slabs integrated into the overall design. Interior elements continue the curved geometry, creating cohesive internal spaces.

Meeting Japan’s Strict Seismic Requirements

Japan maintains some of the world’s most demanding seismic building codes. Therefore, approval of this 3D-printed house represents a significant validation. The project proves that 3D-printed reinforced concrete can serve as an alternative to traditional timber construction.

This news carries particular weight for earthquake-prone regions worldwide. The successful certification confirms that additive manufacturing can deliver structural precision. Furthermore, it demonstrates consistent quality essential for seismic safety.

Detailed view of a curved wooden staircase and arched passageway illustrating the structural geometry of the 3D-printed house. — Strategic lighting highlights the distinctive horizontal ridges of the load-bearing walls, emphasizing the cave-inspired geometry and open-tread staircase design. (Image © ONOCOM Co., Ltd., courtesy of ONOCOM Co., Ltd.)

Future Applications and Industry Impact

Project leaders plan to expand 3D-printing technology into broader applications. These include civil infrastructure, disaster-prevention structures, and defence installations. Post-disaster reconstruction also presents promising opportunities for this technology.

Development of construction training programs is underway. Meanwhile, teams are creating digital construction management systems. These initiatives aim to establish sustainable construction-industry models for the future.

Close-up detail of the printed concrete floor slab edge and furniture placement on the upper level of the residence. — A detailed view of the upper floor slab reveals the precision of the printing process, seamlessly connecting the horizontal planes with the vertical curved walls. (Image © ONOCOM Co., Ltd., courtesy of ONOCOM Co., Ltd.)

The success of this 3D-printed house could influence building practices globally. As research advances, more countries may adopt similar technologies. However, meeting local seismic codes will remain crucial for widespread acceptance.

What impact might 3D-printed construction have on rebuilding efforts after natural disasters in your region?

A Quick Architectural Snapshot

This two-storey 3D-printed house stands in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. It features 50 square metres of total floor space with cave-inspired curved geometry. Builders used 39 cubic metres of reinforced concrete material. The structure reaches seven metres high and meets Japan’s strict seismic design requirements for earthquake-prone residential construction.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

This project emerges from three converging pressures. First, Japan’s seismic certification system creates a structural threshold that eliminates most experimental construction methods. Meeting this standard becomes the primary constraint, not an outcome. Second, construction labor shortages drive automation adoption regardless of material efficiency or spatial quality. A four-person team operating a printer solves workforce scarcity, not architectural problems.

Third, the cave-inspired geometry serves a technical function, not an aesthetic one. Curved walls distribute seismic loads while demonstrating regulatory compliance through visible material continuity. The 39 cubic meters of printed concrete for 50 square meters suggests material expenditure exceeds conventional methods, indicating certification requirements override efficiency.

The expansion into disaster reconstruction reveals the actual driver: rapid deployment capacity in post-crisis conditions where regulatory review accelerates and labor availability collapses. The residential prototype validates a system designed for emergency infrastructure, not housing innovation.