Additive Manufacturing in the GCC Housing Sector: A Critical Review and Future Outlook

Additive manufacturing, particularly 3D concrete printing (3DCP), is increasingly explored as a pathway toward faster, more flexible, and cost-efficient housing delivery in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This paper presents a critical review of 3DCP applications in GCC residential housing, examining seven built or documented case studies across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait. Drawing on publicly available evidence, including peer-reviewed literature and grey literature such as government publications, company reports, press releases, and visual project documentation, the study develops a comparative analysis of machine systems, printing strategies, and material approaches. The seven cases were identified through targeted searches for GCC residential projects that had been built or sufficiently documented to confirm their location, housing use, and printing approach; however, the evidence base is limited because detailed technical and performance data are rarely publicly disclosed, and much of the available information is self-reported by project teams or technology providers. The comparison identifies substantial variation in machine selection and printing strategy across projects, while the publicly available evidence does not disclose the technical or procurement criteria through which these decisions were made. As an intentionally desk-based literature and case review, the study does not incorporate primary interviews with project participants, limiting independent verification of the published evidence. The paper concludes with a set of evidence-informed design and delivery considerations linking site and housing typology, machine selection, production strategy, climate response, conventional-system integration, and performance verification.