Europe’s largest 3D-printed housing project — a 36-student apartment complex in Holstebro, Denmark — has been completed, demonstrating how 3D construction printing can deliver multiple housing units with higher productivity, speed, and sustainability.
3DCP Group has completed the 3D printing phase of Europe’s largest 3D-printed housing project, producing 36 student apartments in Holstebro, Denmark, with Cobod’s BOD3 3D construction printer for NordVestBo.
The project demonstrates how 3D construction printing can deliver multiple housing units with higher productivity, speed, and sustainability compared to conventional construction methods.
This 3D construction printing project is demonstrating the potential to build faster, more efficiently, and at scale. Skovsporet (“The Forest Trail”) brings this vision to life as Europe’s largest 3D-printed housing project.
Located near VIA University College’s Holstebro campus, the development features six buildings, each containing six student apartments that form a connected student house community.
The apartments, ranging from 40 to 50 sq m, totalling 1654 sq m, are a clear demonstration of how 3D construction printing can efficiently deliver multi-unit housing faster, more sustainably, and with greater design flexibility.
Automating precision and speed
By automating precision and speed, 3D construction printing achieves millimetre accuracy across all printed walls, operated by a three-person team.
The BOD3’s ground-based track system, specifically designed for residential construction, allows the printer to extend easily along the Y-axis, enabling uninterrupted printing of long wall sections.
Over the course of the project, printing productivity increased significantly. The first six-unit apartment building required several weeks to complete, while the final one was finished in only five days.
This productivity gain demonstrates how 3D construction printing can scale efficiently, producing multiple housing units with consistent quality, lower labour requirements, and optimised project timelines.
Beyond productivity, the project also demonstrates how 3D printing supports sustainability in material use and environmental integration. At Skovsporet, the walls were made using D.fab concrete with Futurecem, a low-carbon cement developed by Aalborg Portland.
Because the printing process deposits material only where it is structurally required, waste generation is significantly lower than in conventional construction.
Natural surroundings respected
The project was also designed to respect its natural surroundings, with print beds carefully positioned between existing trees to preserve 95% of the site’s trees, a clear demonstration that advanced construction methods and sustainable design can coexist.
At Skovsporet, 3D construction printing expands architectural possibilities, creating homes that are functional and inspiring.
Designed by SAGA Architects, the project shows how 3D printing can be combined with traditional materials to create modern, practical spaces. The walls form the foundation of the student apartments, each including a kitchen, study area, lounge, bathroom, and double bed.
Open, inviting spaces
Large roof windows and slanted ceilings fill the units with natural light, creating open, inviting spaces. The six buildings are arranged around shared courtyards to encourage community living, while the use of coated plywood and glass complements the printed concrete to give each apartment a warm and distinct character.
Beyond the homes, landscaped gardens, walking paths, and bicycle parking enhance the sense of community, making Skovsporet an example of how 3D-printed construction combines flexibility, functionality and liveability.
Cobod International founder and general manager Henrik Lund-Nielsen says the results at Skovsporet show how 3D construction printing can deliver large-scale projects faster and more efficiently than ever before.
Continuous improvements
“With the BOD3 printer, we achieved continuous improvements in productivity from one building to the next, confirming that the technology is ready for multi-unit residential developments. This project is a strong example of how automation impacts the speed of construction,” Lund-Nielsen says.
3DCP Group co-founder Mikkel Brich says Skovsporet proved that 3D construction printing can meet the strict requirements of subsidised housing while delivering high precision and productivity.
“As we deepened our understanding of the technology, we increased productivity from one building to the next, and are confident we can build even faster in future projects,” Brich says.
• About Cobod
Cobod International stands as the global leader in supplying 3D printers for the construction sector, with more than 85 printers distributed across North and Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.
Driven by a vision to build smarter through multi-functional construction robots based on 3D printing, Cobod envisions automating half of all construction processes to achieve faster, cost-effective, sustainable results with enhanced design versatility.
From residential, commercial, and public buildings, Cobod’s 3D printers have been instrumental in erecting one to three-storey structures across all six inhabited continents. The innovative technology also extends to fabricate large-scale data centres, wind turbine towers, tanks, and more.
Embracing an open-source material approach, Cobod collaborates with global partners, including customers, academia and suppliers. The company, backed by prominent shareholders such as General Electric, Cemex, Holcim, and Peri, operates from its head office in Copenhagen, Denmark, and regional locations in Miami, US, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Cobod’s dynamic team comprises more than 100 professionals from 25 diverse nationalities.
