32 | Iconic Construction T T Karen Phelps New showhome embraces new era The 36 walls required for the house were printed over 24 hours spread across 10 days, then transported to the site and installed in two days. DEVELOPMENT Hamilton-based Iconic Construction has achieved a New Zealand first by completing the country’s first 3D-printed concrete show home, marking a step forward in construction technology that shareholder and general manager Johnny Gordon believes could transform the building industry. Iconic Construction has partnered with QOROX, New Zealand’s first 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) company, becoming its inaugural regional partner. The three-bedroom show home at 1 City View Terrace in the Brymer Heights subdivision at Rotokauri, Hamilton was built in just 99 days. With a 1.5-car garage and spanning 167sqm, the property has already attracted over 800 visitors curious about the technology. “We believe building with 3D concrete printing is the way moving forward. We have to educate people and take them on the journey,” says Johnny. “The overwhelming response has been positive, with people keen to understand how it works.” The 36 walls required for the house were printed over 24 hours spread across 10 days, then transported to the site and installed within two days. Once the technology reaches scale, Johnny anticipates even greater speed improvements, aiming to print a house a day and complete similar-sized builds within three months. The speed translates into significant time and cost savings for projects. The technology utilises a robot similar to those found in car-manufacturing facilities, programmed to execute specific tasks with precision. The system is also mobile, adding flexibility to construction projects. Johnny says the QOROX system addresses ongoing supply chain challenges facing the construction industry by giving builders greater control over their production processes. here are also environmental benefits, he says. The 3DCP system produces 40% fewer CO² emissions compared to timber construction, and concrete offers superior resistance to water damage and fire, along with enhanced acoustic and thermal properties. QOROX is also working towards zero waste by incorporating recycled materials into its mix. “The majority of the material used for our 3D printer is locally sourced, a rare thing in construction materials in New Zealand,” explains Johnny. Iconic Construction has also used the technology to build a childcare centre on Forest Lake Road, Hamilton. It printed an entire 15-metre line of walls in less than five hours, and the project represents the first commercial build using 3DCP in the Southern hemisphere. Alongside the 3D printing work, Iconic Construction has recently completed another significant project – the Lake Rd development. Originally designed as 11 houses across three blocks for a private developer client, the project was redesigned in mid-2022 when Kāinga Ora agreed to purchase it. The development now comprises 13 units across three blocks: a three-unit block with two-storey homes of approximately 95sqm each, an eight-unit block averaging 90sqm, and two duplexes. ach home features lounge, dining, and kitchen areas downstairs, with two bedrooms and shared bathroom upstairs. “We liaised with the client and assisted with the design from a build perspective,” says Johnny. The project faced challenges connecting to the stormwater system, due to its proximity to railway lines, requiring extensive investigative work and collaboration with planners and engineers before ultimately connecting to Lake Road. Despite initial delays, the project proceeded smoothly once construction began, with excellent communication maintained between all parties throughout the build process. “We love building townhouse developments. It’s very rewarding delivering 13 places that people will soon call home,” Johnny says. Since establishing in 2009, Iconic Construction has built its reputation by embracing innovation rather than conventional approaches. The company undertakes residential new homes, renovations and commercial projects throughout Hamilton and the Waikato, with a focus on high-quality workmanship that has earned recognition at the Registered Master Builders Association House of the Year competitions. waikato@edgeworx.co.nz
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