Ukraine builds Europe’s first 3D printed school
School closures, shelling, and displacement has made access to education especially difficult for children in Ukraine.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, at least 2,600 schools have been damaged in the country, 300 of which were completely destroyed. Additionally, 2.5 million children have been internally displaced within Ukraine as their families seek relative safety in the western part of the country.
This has posed a new kind of challenge to Ukrainian regions hosting refugees, such as the city of Lviv. To help bring displaced students back to school, local charity fund Team4UA initiated the construction of a 3D printed school. The project is created in partnership with Lviv City Council and with technology provided by Danish 3D construction company COBOD and the Danish construction company, 3DCP Group.
The 3D printed school began construction in September 2022 but, according to Team4UA, was temporarily halted due to massive Russian missile attacks which cut electricity. Work has now resumed and the school, which will host around 100 pupils, is meant to open in 2024.