Towards understanding the perceptions of 3D construction printing in Kenya

Kenya faces a persistent housing deficit exacerbated by rapid urbanisation and reliance on traditional construction methods characterised by low productivity. Construction innovations like 3D Construction Printing (3DCP) have been linked to significant improvements in construction productivity. This study explores the potential of 3DCP to transform housing delivery in Kenya, drawing on the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory to understand stakeholder perceptions. Through qualitative interviews with academic and industry stakeholders, the study uncovers the perceptions of 3DCP adoption. Findings indicate that stakeholders widely acknowledge the relative advantages of 3DCP over traditional construction methods, including faster construction timelines, improved quality (material homogeneity, dimensional accuracy and reproducibility), and design flexibility (the capacity to produce curvilinear geometries without formwork). However, barriers such as high initial investment costs, limited technical expertise, and incompatibility with Kenya’s affordable housing context hinder adoption. The study recommends a dual strategy to increase adoption: integrating 3DCP into national housing policy and promoting research and development initiatives to localise the technology. This approach aims to address both economic and socio-cultural resistance. The study contributes to theory by contextualising and extending DOI in a developing country setting, highlighting the limitations of its assumptions when applied to risk-averse markets like Kenya.