This mega 3D school project in Qatar could redefine public infrastructure globally
Qatar has begun construction on what is being called the world’s largest 3D-printed building project, with two public schools being built using advanced additive manufacturing techniques.
The two schools, each spanning 20,000 square metres, are part of a broader push to modernise the country’s infrastructure through new technologies.
Together, the 40,000 square metre development marks a major leap forward in the global use of 3D printing for large-scale construction.
The project is part of Qatar’s second package of school development under a public-private partnership programme involving a total of 14 schools.
The two schools are being built on separate 100-by-100 metre plots and will feature two-storey buildings printed on-site using some of the largest 3D printers in the world.
The printers, provided by Danish company COBOD, measure 50 metres in length, 30 metres in width and stand 15 metres tall, about the size of a commercial aircraft hangar.
Before launching the printing phase, engineers and architects conducted over 100 full-scale test prints at a dedicated site in Doha.
These trials helped refine the concrete mixture for Qatar’s desert climate and allowed for adjustments to the printer’s nozzle system to ensure material consistency.
In May 2025, the core team completed advanced training with COBOD technicians, gaining hands-on experience in printer operations and structural layering strategies.
UCC Holding, the Qatari company overseeing the project in collaboration with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), confirmed that construction is now underway and that both schools are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
The use of 3D printing is expected to cut down on construction time, reduce material waste and increase design flexibility.
The initiative is being watched closely by other nations as a possible model for future educational infrastructure, not only because of its scale but also because of the speed and sustainability it aims to demonstrate.
Qatar’s use of high-capacity printers in real-time building environments may set new benchmarks in the global construction industry.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
