A new neighbourhood near Mombasa, Kenya is to be built in record time thanks to a world-beating 3D printing technology. It was recently announced that Africa’s largest 3D-printed affordable housing project will be developed by 14Trees, a joint venture between Holcim and CDC Group, the UK’s development finance institution. The 52 house Mvule Gardens project will be located in Kilifi town, north of Mombasa, in Kenya.
Earlier this year, 14Trees built the world’s first 3D printed school in the Salima district of Malawi. The development followed the company’s first 3D-printed prototype house in Lilongwe, Malawi – built with precision in less than 12 hours, which significantly reduces the four days spent building a home with conventional building practices.
Building on a track record of speed and progress, the new complex in Kenya underscores 14Trees’ forward plan to support Africa’s innovation in construction and further develop 3D printing technology across the continent.
This project was made possible by Holcim’s proprietary ink, TectorPrint, giving the walls structural function to bear the load of the building. The new technique reduces the environmental footprint by more than 50% compared to traditional processes and lowers CO2 emissions typical to standard methods of cement production.
Further, 14Trees identifies natural fibre components to strengthen best practices in 3D printing for construction in Africa and creates locally based skilled jobs in sustainability and 3D technology operations, among other areas.
The new 52 house community will be part of the Green Heart of Kenya regenerative ecosystem, a Kenyan model for inclusive and climate-resilient cities. The project is a testament to 14Trees’ high regard for sustainability and won the IFC-EDGE advanced sustainable design certification, recognising resource-efficient and zero-carbon buildings.
In addition, the purpose-built design by the United States – Africa-based architectural practice, MASS Design Group, seeks to provide modern and replicable housing units adapted to the needs of underserved communities among lower-income households. 14Trees will begin construction of Mvule Gardens in the first quarter of 2022.
The involvement of MASS Design Group and the sustainability benchmark set by the IFC-EDGE certification highlight a new standard for climate-conscious construction in Africa. By focusing on regenerative design principles, the Green Heart of Kenya model integrates economic resilience, ecological balance, and social inclusivity. This ensures that even as urban populations grow, housing developments like the 52-house community remain attuned to local contexts and global sustainability goals.
The project doesn’t just provide homes—it demonstrates a scalable, practical blueprint for future development that considers both human dignity and environmental responsibility. In this context, sustainable building materials and structures are gaining traction for their long-term environmental and economic benefits.
Options like modular units, recycled materials, and energy-efficient designs help reduce construction waste and operational energy consumption. Globally, this shift toward eco-conscious design can also be seen in innovations such as Duramax shed—durable, low-maintenance, and prefabricated structures that mirror the same priorities of material efficiency and minimized environmental impact.
These prefabricated structures are a nod to how thoughtful design and material efficiency can serve diverse needs, from storage to supplementary housing, while minimizing ecological impact. As more developers and policymakers recognize the value of such integrated solutions, the path toward climate-resilient, inclusive communities becomes not only clearer but more achievable.
Jan Jenisch, CEO, Holcim, commented: “We are excited to be building one of the world’s largest 3D-printed affordable housing projects in Kenya. With today’s rapid urbanization, over three billion people are expected to need affordable housing by 2030. This issue is most acute in Africa, with countries like Kenya already facing an estimated shortage of two million houses. By deploying 3D printing, we can address this infrastructure gap at scale to increase living standards for all.”
The innovation is a valuable, rapid, and economical solution to the housing deficit in sub-Saharan Africa, which is estimated at 50 million units. Commenting on 14Trees ability to develop safe, well-located, and reliable homes for communities across Africa.
Tenbite Ermias, Head of Africa and Africa MD, CDC Group, said: “14 Trees is pioneering the use of leading-edge technology to address one of Africa’s most pressing development needs – affordable housing – to create life-changing infrastructure for whole communities.”
