Technologies such as 3D printing could eventually help with the management of time and cost, say industry leaders speaking at a construction roundtable hosted Swiss firm Lafarge Holcim and MEED in Dubai on 21 November.

Although contractors and consultants welcome the use of 3D printing, they warn it may be too soon to claim the technology can be used for structures, with contractors saying the traditional building model will continue to dominate.

Earlier this year, Dubai set a target that stipulates 25 per cent of all buildings should be built using 3D printing by 2030.

This target can only be achieved if the technology is used to produce key components of a building, but not the building itself, says one contractor who also believes that at the moment 3D printing can be better utilised if used for interior fitting and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works.

Dubai recently opened the world’s first fully functional 3D printed building. Located next to Emirates Towers, the small building is a temporary office for the Dubai Future Foundation, which is a research body tasked with helping the emirate develop new technologies.

Larger projects that utilise 3D printing are planned and are progressing towards construction. The most high-profile is the Museum of the Future scheme planned by local developer Meraas.