Skovsporet 3D-printed student housing development is finally complete in Holstebro, Denmark. The project consists of 36 ground-level apartments, designed by SAGA Space Architects together with MS+ and built by 3DCP Group. Skovsporet brings the ambition of transforming the construction industry through 3D printing into built reality at a residential scale.

About the Project

Located close to VIA University College, Skovsporet is designed as a low-rise student village where private apartments are placed around shared outdoor spaces. The development is arranged across six buildings with shared courtyards, landscaped gardens, walking paths, and bicycle parking, creating a residential environment that supports both independent living and everyday community. As an environmental consideration, the project has been carefully integrated into its existing landscape. The print beds were positioned between the existing trees on site, allowing 90% of the trees to be preserved.

Each apartment is designed as a complete home, with a kitchen, study area, lounge, bathroom, and sleeping area. Large roof windows and slanted ceilings bring daylight into the homes, while the combination of 3D-printed concrete, cork panels, glass, and traditional roof structures creates a warm and practical architectural expression. 

“This student housing project proves that 3D printing is no longer just an experiment. We have gone from printing small prototypes to creating 36 real homes and an entire community. That is the scale where technology starts to matter as a serious tool for architecture.” - Sebastian Aristotelis, Co-Founder and Lead Architect of SAGA Space Architects 

The 3D-printed structural elements were produced on site using a COBOD BOD3 printer and D.fab concrete containing FUTURECEM, a lower-carbon cement developed by Aalborg Portland.   

The project also introduces a significant material breakthrough: 3D-printed elements containing 0% cement and achieving an 84% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with traditional concrete. These elements have been developed by 3DCP Group, using MEVOcem - the development was funded by the Innovation Fund Denmark. The cement-free elements have been used in the bicycle shed. 

“The technical breakthrough was not printing one successful structure. It was repeating the process across six clusters while improving speed, maintaining accuracy, and integrating the printed elements with conventional building systems.” - Mikkel Brich, Co-Founder and CEO of 3DCP Group

Skovsporet has been delivered within the strict regulatory and financial framework governing subsidized housing in Denmark. By implementing large-scale 3D printing and carefully optimising the construction process, the team was able to complete the project within a tight budget while maintaining its architectural ambitions. The project demonstrates how 3D printing can operate within the practical and economic constraints of real-world housing construction. 

Technical details

• Project: Skovsporet
• Client: NordVestBO
• Typology: Student housing
• Location: Holstebro, Denmark
• Contractor: 3DCP Group
• Architecture Office: SAGA Space Architects, MS+
• Construction Duration: 12 months
• Total Project Size: 1650m² 
• Apartment Sizes: 39-50m² 
• Number of Apartments: 36
• Configuration: Six building clusters, each cluster consisting of 6 apartments
• Construction Method: Large-scale 3D concrete printing
• Printer: COBOD BOD3
• Materials: D.fab concrete with FUTURECEM, MEVOcem & Timber hybrid construction 
• Apartment Amenities: Kitchen, study area, lounge, bathroom, sleeping area, roof windows
• Outdoor Amenities: Shared courtyards, landscaped gardens, walking paths, bicycle parking
• Partners: VELUX, Rationel, HTH, Marmorline, COBOD International, Aalborg Portland

What is next?

With construction now complete, the apartments are ready to welcome their first students in September. Building on the lessons from Skovsporet, SAGA Space Architects and 3DCP Group are now researching and testing new material configurations and manufacturing methods for upcoming 3D-printed projects. 

The Final Imagery is captured by Edi Cliff. Construction Progress imagery is captured by SAGA Space Architects.

The project page can be viewed here. 

Complete press kit with images is available here. 

For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected].