Building “Better Workplaces” with 3D concrete printing and ECOPact

“Traditionally, the offices at a ready mix plant have been, first and foremost, functional places to work,” says Verónica Martín, HR and Communications Director at Holcim Spain.

“At our Torres de la Alameda plant we decided to do things differently, by building a more modern workspace that would encourage people to interact and socialize,” she adds.

To achieve this, Holcim collaborated with A3D Building to build the first 3D concrete printed office building in Spain, as well as launch “3DPrint Lab©”, a concept that combines 3D printing-based intelligent design with the transformation of work spaces.

Our new construction system allows us to offer unique projects, using advanced technology to create innovative designs with shapes and geometries that are impossible to achieve with traditional methods.

Álvaro Roca de Togores| Founder of A3D Building

The project stemmed from Holcim’s global ‘Better Workplaces’ program that aims to transform our workplaces into modern, comfortable spaces that ensure our colleagues’ wellbeing, and transmit the values that represent us: health and safety, innovation, sustainability and circularity.

A workplace to be proud of

This inspired Verónica and her colleagues in Spain to print the new 127 m² office space in Torres de la Alameda, which features offices, changing rooms and even a dining room – to make interactions with colleagues and customers more comfortable and rewarding.

We always had a great team spirit here but now it’s even better. This light, airy space is an inspirational place to work, and it’s great to be able to connect with customers and colleagues in the new dining room. It’s built using our sustainable building solutions as well, which makes me proud.

Manuel Barrero| National Concrete Manager, Torres de la Alameda

The offices were built using Holcim’s Tector® Print mortar for its exterior and interior walls. Designed for use in ultra-fast 3D robotic printing, this single-component mortar provides style, solidity and simplicity to the structure.

3D concrete printing and smart design brings sustainability benefits too, allowing us to reduce material use by up to 50 percent, reducing the need for primary resources and lowering CO2 emissions during concrete production. In addition, 3D concrete printing provides flexibility to adapt the space to specific needs and reduces construction times by 35-40 percent.

To make the entire building as sustainable as possible – working from foundation to rooftop – its floor and roof were built using ECOPact (our low-carbon concrete that delivers 100 percent performance with at least 30 percent lower CO₂ emissions), while rooftop solar panels will cover 100 percent of the office's energy needs.

This unique office space integrates sustainability and technology to serve people's well-being and working needs. It embodies Holcim's philosophy of building better with less, offering an innovative and easily replicable approach, and using smart design technologies such as 3D printing.

Verónica Martín| HR and Communications Director at Holcim Spain