Dubai is exploring a new approach to construction. Dubai Municipality is heading the project of building the world’s first 3D printed residential villa. Even though this sounds like another real estate concept, the property is actually being built. This project is a group effort that includes over 25 specialised technology companies, research centres and academic institutions both local and international.
The villa is built to pioneer a global change in construction, and scale it across the industry to enhance productivity, sustainability as well as to elevate the world of real estate to a newer era. The announcement of this project happened at the event launching the Construction Innovation and Research Centre (04 ConTech Valley) in partnership with Expo City Dubai.
The centre will support innovation and research in construction material, technology and systems, and will dedicate its research for the construction solutions, urban systems, and future city-infrastructure planning.
How does Robotic Construction work?
The project is being built by robots and automated systems to carry out the construction tasks. This reflects the 70-70 Strategy for 2030 as it proposes that 70% of the construction takes place off-site which is better for mass production and constantly maintaining quality standards.
Later the components will be transported to the site where the material will be put-together for the remaining 30% of the construction to happen.
What could property investors and home buyers gain?
Aside from the research and the development of the construction industry, this project is a sign that future real estate projects could turn out beneficial for its owners. But what are the advantages that investors have when buying property in Dubai?
Faster construction timelines - Robots can handle repetitive tasks with consistency. This eliminates misalignments, repeats and slow-downs of manual labor, shortening the construction period and handing clients their property faster than the current market does.
Possible cost saving - While automation removes a huge portion of human labour, a lot of other costs that are associated with it could be saved. Even though the cost reduction is visible on paper, developers or the authorities have not announced any changes regarding this.
Consistent property quality - Consistency will remain high, with minimal errors, changes or variation to it. Developers will be able to introduce property to the market that reduces snagging errors.
Improved usage of material - Handling of building material, machinery and application will be automated and mechanical. Therefore, calculating the amount of material used and reducing material waste are benefits that will be considered when looking into the ‘cost’ factor.
Better visibility of the construction progress - The presence of machinery and robotics can present owners with accurate and real-time construction progress.
Sustainable construction - Increased usage of sustainable materials and reducing pollution as a result of the 70 - 70 Strategy will have a positive impact on the environment.
Will the market change for the real estate developers in Dubai?
Even though the proposed plan seems drastic, it doesn’t really change what a buyer should be looking for when they buy an apartment or villa in Dubai.
Company track record - Every developer has a track record that shows how the construction, build quality, amenities, and product history are maintained.
Construction inspections - Snagging and property inspections are due no matter what technology is being used to build. This step in property investment is very important, it saves time, money and complications for the future.
Payment plans - While the timelines of the construction process might shrink, the payment instalments remain. Ensuring that the payment plan, instalments and the timeline over which they are stretched across is important before committing to a property transaction.
The future of Dubai real estate market’s construction
The Global Contech report presented a high global adoption of construction technologies and projects that investment will invite over $30 billion by 2033, with a growth rate of 17.5% annually according to its estimate.
While faster construction timelines, cheaper costs, and smarter properties are being built. Buyers should be mindful in keeping track of what’s important. Even though the technology changes, application, planning and execution falls on developers. So, as much as it matters today, making sure you understand the service providers, their product history and finding the best deal is relevant for the future.
This calls for the expertise of industry professionals to guide investors to find the best match for their unique property requirements - combining a property, mortgage, conveyancing, currency conversion, furnishing and many more moving parts together than it seems at the surface level.
Make sure you get the best assistance to stay on the top of the market when investing in Dubai.
Source: Dubai Municipality