Cementos Argos builds two 3D-printed homes in mountainous Colombia using COBOD BOD2 printer

Colombian construction firm Cementos Argos has completed two single-story 3D-printed homes in a mountainous region of Colombia, using a COBOD International BOD2 construction printer. Each home measures 63 square meters with two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and laundry area. The printing took 16 hours per structure, with five small trucks used to transport the printer and materials. The mortar mix is 99% locally sourced Colombian materials, including fibers and chemical additives to reduce shrinkage stress and cracking from wind and moisture. Cementos Argos R&D director Daniel Duke confirmed the company is evaluating an additional 20 3D-printed homes in the same region.

This project represents a meaningful step for construction AM in Latin America, a region that has lagged behind North America, Europe, and parts of Asia in adopting 3D-printed building methods. COBOD's BOD2 is already the most widely deployed construction 3D printer globally, with installations in Europe, the Middle East, and the US. Cementos Argos claims a 30% reduction in construction time and 20% reduction in material use compared to conventional methods. The use of locally sourced mortar is significant because it reduces supply chain complexity and import costs, a key barrier to scaling construction AM in developing markets. The project fits the pattern of construction AM moving beyond demonstration homes toward repeatable, locally adapted production.

From an industry perspective, this is a measured but credible expansion of construction AM into a new geography. The 20-home follow-on plan is modest but realistic — Cementos Argos must now demonstrate that the process can be repeated reliably across different sites and weather conditions. The key execution risk is not the printer technology but the local supply chain for consistent mortar quality and the availability of skilled operators. For buyers and developers in mountainous or remote regions, this project provides a useful reference point for cost and timeline comparisons against conventional building methods.