Is 3D Printing The Answer To Sydney's Housing Woes?

A leading Silicon Valley technology expert has predicted that it will be the norm to print 3D homes and apartment buildings in Sydney in less than a decade.

Coming to brief property professionals in Sydney later this month, Vivek Wadhwa, said China is already printing homes in factories, and even more advanced tech will soon hit Australian shores.

"In five to 10 years there will be large scale 3D printers that can print houses and apartment buildings in Sydney onsite using recycled materials," he said.

Mr Wadhwa said 3D printing of homes is going to "shake-up" Sydney property development, creating a new trillion dollar industry.

"3D printing is going to disrupt the property construction industry like you cannot imagine. People are working on the technology right now."

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Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW CEO Stephen Albin said the Institute is bringing Mr Wadhwa to Sydney to host a workshop on exponential technologies because "the local industry needs to be equipped to manage whatever lies ahead.""The idea of 3D printing homes may sound 'out-there' but the reality is, if we don't keep across the ever changing technological landscape Sydney will get left behind," he said.

"Many industry operators are 'chomping at the bit' to adopt more sustainability and housing affordability measures, and 3D printing is just one area they're keen to learn more about."