3D Digital Tools Transform Buildings, Boats and Rocket Parts

Dubai, August 14, 2025

News Summary

3D digital tools — from BIM and VR to large-format 3D printers and AI-driven design — are moving from prototypes into real-world buildings, marine vessels and aerospace components. Projects in Dubai and the Netherlands show full-scale villas, printed hulls and electric passenger abras built faster and with less waste. Luxury yacht makers use robotic printing to halve lead times and cut material waste, while engineers use AI to design metal engine parts for large industrial printers. Benefits include greater precision, faster delivery and reduced waste, though high costs, regulatory hurdles and testing infrastructure remain obstacles to wider adoption.

3D digital technology is reshaping infrastructure, marine design and interior architecture across projects, fleets and facilities

Across the construction sector, the rapid evolution of 3D digital tools is helping professionals visualize and analyze projects before ground is broken. Technologies such as BIM, 3D printing, and virtual reality are described as game-changers for increasing design accuracy, reducing errors, improving communication and accelerating delivery across the project life cycle—from design and construction to maintenance and operation.

Dubai’s policy, projects and ambitions

Policy targets and regional momentum

In the broader region, the construction sector is expected to grow steadily, with the integration of eco-conscious practices and 3D printing playing a key role. Dubai has set a clear goal under its Dubai 3D Printing Strategy to reach 25% of buildings printed by 2030. The city’s adoption of 3D technologies is framed as a means to improve speed and quality, particularly in challenging environments.

Highlighted projects and installations

Several 3D-printed structures have emerged, including office and housing projects that leverage BIM as a design and coordination backbone. One villa completed in Dubai uses a 3D-printed approach with curved walls and large fenestrations, reducing construction waste through on-site assembly of printed components. In marine infrastructure, a fully electric, 3D-printed abra was trialed on the Dubai Creek, combining a 3D-printed monocoque with wooden elements to carry up to 20 passengers and achieving notable gains in manufacturing speed and cost. The abra’s length and passenger capacity were specified (11 meters, up to 20 people), along with a propulsion system powered by two 10-kilowatt motors and lithium batteries. The trials are positioned as part of broader improvements to urban mobility and maritime services as urban density rises.

In interior design, the launch of the MYATA Platinum Lounge showcased a 3D-printed interior with 27 canyon-like structures produced from more than 20,000 printed components using 35 printers. The project used recycled plastic and featured a dramatic funnel-like entrance guiding visitors from the street into the space, with lighting and layout designed to control interior visibility and flow. The region’s construction sector is cited as growing at a substantial pace, with sustainability efforts linked to carbon emissions targets for the area.

Materials, sustainability and industry shifts

In parallel, 3D-printed elements have explored eco-friendly materials—such as recycled plastics and local resources—alongside breakthroughs in biological composites and wood-derived blends. A pavilion featuring 3D-printed wood panels combined 30% recycled sawdust with 70% bioplastic, assembled through a process that avoids traditional glues or metal fasteners. The project emphasized regenerative material cycles and advanced computational design in realizing complex joints and forms.

Maritime additive manufacturing and large-scale vessel builds

CEAD, MAC ONE and the hull workflow

In the Netherlands, CEAD operates the Maritime Application Center (MAC) and demonstrated a large-format hull printing workflow with the MAC ONE vessel. The hull, printed with CEAD’s HDPro material reinforced with 25% glass fiber, required about 82 hours of printing. The hull features double-curved surfaces, a self-bailing deck and integrated fuel-tank zones, with separately printed components like the console and leaning post being attached post-print using HDPro filler and thermoplastic welding. The MAC ONE case illustrates how large-format printing and maritime production workflows can produce durable, lightweight hulls for recreational or commercial use.

HDPE workboats and a pathway to modular maritime manufacture

CEAD joined with Damen Compact Crafts on a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) workboat project intended for patrol, harbor, survey and diving operations. The workboat, designed to be fully recyclable, is being developed at CEAD’s MAC in Delft and uses CEAD’s HDPro material. The collaboration aims to assess how large-format AM can influence turnaround times, sustainability metrics and production flexibility in maritime contexts.

Luxury yachting and industrial AM milestones

Ferretti Group and Caracol partnership

In the luxury yacht segment, Ferretti Group used Caracol’s robotic additive manufacturing system to print key superstructures for the Pershing GTX116. Aerodynamic air grilles and windshield visors were produced on a Heron 300 system with a 3 mm nozzle using an ASA composite reinforced with 20% glass fiber. Each printed superstructure measured 4,200 x 400 x 400 mm and weighed 40 kg, with the entire print cycle taking around 72 hours. This approach reduces reliance on molds and lamination, cutting production lead times and material waste while maintaining strength and aerodynamics for high-end vessels.

Aerospace propulsion and AI-driven design

Leap 71 and AI-generated rocket engines

An AI engineering outfit in Dubai is scaling 3D-printed propulsion toward engines suitable for orbital missions. The company uses an AI model named Noyron to generate engine designs and control software for thrust and propellant parameters. Early tests expanded beyond tiny test units to engines with build volumes approaching two meters, geared toward meganewton-class thrust ranges of roughly 1,000 to 2,000 kilonewtons. The approach is paired with partnerships to integrate AI-designed engines into future missions, and the business model emphasizes supplying reference engines that other space teams can adapt. Real-world testing has included multiple engines with varying designs, and the company aims to establish a regional engine factory to support broader space ambitions in the UAE.

Disaster relief, humanitarian applications and portable manufacturing

3D printing for relief and reconstruction

Across the United States and other regions, 3D technology has supported disaster-relief efforts, including temporary shelters, bridges and schools in disaster zones. In the wake of major seismic events, organizations have collaborated to print homes and related infrastructure components to accelerate response and reconstruction timelines.

Research, interior design and furniture production

Hive masonry wall and 3D-printed interiors

Researchers in Canada developed what is believed to be the country’s first 3D-printed masonry wall, named Hive. Hive comprises 175 uniquely designed clay blocks and is installed in the reception area of a Toronto-based office, combining traditional ceramics with computational design and extrusion-based printing. The project used customized clay mixes to enable intricate apertures for light and privacy while maintaining structural integrity. In another line of work, Flashforge highlighted its Creator 4 printer as a tool to shorten furniture prototyping cycles from several days to under a week, enabling more agile production workflows and material compatibility.

Industry context and ongoing challenges

Scale, cost, regulation and standards

While 3D digital tools demonstrate broad benefits—greater precision, faster delivery and reduced waste—there are hurdles. The upfront costs of equipment and software can be prohibitive for smaller firms or developing regions. Building codes and safety standards for 3D-printed construction are still evolving, creating regulatory considerations for durability, performance and long-term service life. As technology matures, affordability and accessibility are expected to improve, potentially accelerating adoption in urban development, climate resilience and housing supply challenges.

Key takeaways for stakeholders

Across infrastructure, marine and design sectors, 3D printing and BIM are reshaping how projects are planned, built and maintained. The convergence of AI-powered design for propulsion, large-format printing for hulls and superstructures, and recycled-material composites points toward a future where construction is faster, cleaner and more adaptable to regional needs and sustainability goals. As cities and industries continue to test and refine regulatory frameworks and cost models, the pace of adoption will hinge on demonstrable reliability, safety and lifecycle performance.

FAQ

What is BIM and how does it help construction?

BIM creates a three-dimensional model of an infrastructure project that can integrate materials, systems and lifecycle data, helping teams visualize, coordinate, and manage projects from design through maintenance.

What is MAC ONE?

MAC ONE refers to a large-format hull printing project at CEAD’s Maritime Application Center, produced with HDPro material reinforced with 25% glass fiber, and printed in about 82 hours with automated support features.

How does 3D printing impact Dubai’s construction and mobility projects?

3D printing supports faster fabrication of components and structures, enables novel forms and materials, and enables rapid testing and deployment of items such as villas and electric watercraft, contributing to a broader strategy to increase building efficiency and maritime services.

What is Leap 71 aiming to achieve with AI-designed rocket engines?

Leap 71 uses an AI model to design propulsion components that can be produced via 3D printing, with goals to reach engines capable of orbital-scale thrust and to establish a regional engine factory for broader space missions.

What sustainability benefits come from 3D-printed construction?

3D printing can reduce material waste, enable recycled or locally sourced materials, reduce energy use during fabrication, and shorten construction timelines, contributing to lower overall environmental impact.

Key features at a glance

Feature	Project / Example	Key Metrics	Notes
BIM and virtual visualization	Dubai and global projects leveraging BIM-based workflows	Improved design accuracy; lifecycle data integration	Foundational for subsequent AM and VR work
Large-format maritime printing	CEAD MAC ONE hull; 82 hours; HDPro with 25% glass fiber	Double-curved surfaces; self-bailing deck; integrated fuel tank	Demonstrates feasibility of durable, printed hulls
HDPE workboats	Damen CEAD collaboration; HWB project	Fully recyclable material; objective to shorten turnaround	Focus on sustainability and flexibility
3D-printed luxury components	Ferretti GTX116 superstructures	4,200 x 400 x 400 mm parts; 72-hour print; 40 kg	Eliminates molds; reduces lead times and waste
Aerospace-scale propulsion	Leap 71 AI-designed rocket engines	MeGANewton thrust class; 1,000–2,000 kN range	Build-volume expansion toward two meters; AI-driven design
3D-printed interiors	MYATA Lounge; 27 canyon-like structures	>20,000 components; 35 printers	Recycled materials; controlled interior sequencing
3D-printed masonry	Hive wall in Toronto	175 uniquely designed blocks	Integrates traditional ceramics with computational design
Disaster relief fabrication	Printed shelters, bridges and schools	Accelerated deployment; scalable for crisis zones	Demonstrates humanitarian potential of AM

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Additional Resources

• VoxelMatters: All-Aboard 3D-Printed Boats
• Wikipedia: 3D printing
• 3D Printing Industry: Dubai’s largest 3D-printed lounge interior
• Google Search: 3D printed lounge interior Dubai
• 3Dnatives: 3DExpress — Dubai’s first fully 3D-printed boat
• Google Scholar: 3D printed boats
• The National: Dubai leaps with 3D-printed rocket engines
• Encyclopedia Britannica: 3D printed rocket engines
• BDCNetwork: World’s largest 3D-printed restaurant interior
• Google News: 3D printed restaurant interior