In the heart of Madagascar, a transformative approach to education is taking shape: schools are being created using 3D printing technology. As someone devoted to improving global education and fostering innovation, I couldn't help but take notice of this compelling development. It's not just about building classrooms; it's about providing hope and opportunities where resources are scarce.
The numbers speak for themselves. Around a third of Malagasy children are out of school, often because educational infrastructure is either inaccessible or overcrowded. With a pressing need for an estimated 22,000 new schools, organizations like Thinking Huts and 14Trees have stepped up to address the problem head-on with the help of 3D printing.
3D Printing as a Solution
The process is revolutionary in its simplicity and speed. Traditional construction methods can be slow, resource-intensive, and unsustainable. In contrast, a single 3D-printed school can be built in as little as 18 hours, representing a significant leap forward. The material used, a type of cement mixture, ensures durability and adapts to the challenging environmental conditions of Madagascar.
For example, the 765-square-foot "Bougainvillea" school, completed by Thinking Huts in partnership with Defining Humanity and SECOA, features honeycomb-shaped walls, a clever design that allows scaling and flexibility. The roof, doors, and windows were sourced locally, blending technology with local craftsmanship. This hybrid approach not only takes advantage of advanced construction methods but also empowers local communities by involving them in building processes that enhance the region's future technical skills.
Features Built for Longevity and Sustainability
What makes these schools particularly fascinating is their modern infrastructure tailored to community needs. Briefly, here’s what’s included:
- Solar energy panels to ensure classrooms have power even in remote areas.
- Clean drinking water directly integrated into the building.
- Wi-Fi connectivity designed to offer access to online educational resources.
- Functionality-focused layouts, including adequate space for up to 30 students and durable furnishings.
This isn’t about creating just any classroom. It’s about building spaces that are designed to last in challenging environments while addressing multiple safety, accessibility, and utility concerns. All of this for approximately $40,000 to $50,000 per building, with plans in progress to slash this cost in half.
A Look Ahead: How to Build 3D-Printed Schools in Developing Countries
For entrepreneurs and business owners considering diving into the world of 3D printing for social empowerment, here’s a simplified blueprint:
- Identify the community needs: Understand the region's challenges. In Madagascar, the glaring gap was the absence of schools and critical infrastructure. Communicating directly with local leaders can highlight such requirements.
- Build a supply chain strategy: Transporting materials or technology can be challenging in remote regions. Projects like Thinking Huts demonstrated the importance of overcoming this through meticulous planning and relying on local craftsmanship for some materials.
- Design for adaptation: Flexible, modular construction allows buildings to grow with the community’s needs. Employ designs that use minimal and sustainable materials.
- Secure partners and funding: Global causes raise significant interest among philanthropic ventures and grants. Nonprofits addressing large-scale issues such as education gaps are prime candidates for such funding opportunities.
- Track results and improve: Educational facilities don’t just provide classrooms; they serve as a testing ground for tools and constructions that might be deployed in other regions facing similar challenges.
Starting a project like this requires a clearly defined purpose, skilled team members, and a long-term strategy for scaling. That's what makes initiatives like Thinking Huts compelling. They didn't just place a printer in Madagascar and walk away, they integrated learning into the construction process and aligned it with local capabilities.
Pitfalls When Launching Socially-Minded Technology Projects
While the concept of 3D printing schools is promising, it’s not without challenges. The most common ones include:
- Assuming a one-size-fits-all model works: Each community has unique socioeconomic and cultural traits. Tailor your solution to fit these.
- Neglecting training for local workers: Without shared skills, the community becomes dependent on external expertise, which undermines long-term goals.
- Overlooking logistics: Getting machinery and materials to a remote location is no small task. Proper planning is essential, or you risk costly delays.
- Underestimating costs: Cutting edge technology often faces unforeseen expenses. Budget for contingencies, and set realistic cost-reduction goals for future scaling.
Preparation and adaptability are critical to the success of novel projects. Learning from these challenges is just as crucial as solving them.
My Take on the Way Forward
What stands out most about this 3D printing initiative is its potential to chip away at generational inequality. A single school becomes more than a building, it’s a promise of opportunity, a hub for innovation, and a symbol of hope. Projects like these represent how technological advancement can intersect with social causes to create practical and replicable models.
For entrepreneurs inspired to make an impact, consider taking this approach further. For example, building vocational training centers using similar 3D construction methods could foster local talent while addressing unemployment. Similarly, integrating digital literacy programs into schools as standard creates a pipeline for the future workforce equipped with modern skills.
This kind of molding of technology with community-focused entrepreneurship is where the future lies, not just in buildings but in building meaningful lives. When we invest in education this way, removing barriers, innovating construction, empowering communities, we’re not just solving today’s problems; we’re equipping communities to tackle tomorrow’s.
Thinking Huts and similar projects in Madagascar provide more than inspiration, they deliver a blueprint for building impactful businesses that truly matter. Always ask yourself, how can technology and business address real societal gaps? That’s where the best opportunities show up.
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of 3D printing schools in Madagascar?
3D printing schools aim to address the country's severe shortage of educational infrastructure by constructing cost-effective and durable classrooms rapidly. They provide safe, sustainable, and accessible spaces for children to receive education. Discover more about 3D-printed schools in Madagascar
2. Who spearheaded the 3D printing school initiative in Madagascar?
Maggie Grout, the founder of Thinking Huts, launched the initiative to improve education access through 3D-printed schools and to provide opportunities for local communities. Learn about Maggie Grout's vision
3. How long does it take to build a 3D-printed school?
A single 3D-printed school can be completed in as little as 18 hours using advanced construction technology and optimized materials. Check out details about the construction speed
4. What materials are used in building these schools?
The schools are primarily built with a cement mixture that provides high durability and is adapted to Madagascar's environmental conditions. Local materials are used for doors, windows, and roofs to blend technology with local craftsmanship. Read more about the construction process
5. What are the main features of these 3D-printed schools?
Key features include solar panels for energy, clean drinking water systems, Wi-Fi connectivity, and layouts accommodating up to 30 students. Explore the school's unique design and features
6. How much does it cost to build one 3D-printed school?
Currently, the cost of building one 3D-printed school ranges from $40,000 to $50,000, with ongoing efforts to reduce costs to $20,000 per building in the future. Learn about the financial aspects of these schools
7. Where was the first 3D-printed school in Madagascar built?
The first 3D-printed school, named Bougainvillea, was built on a university campus in Fianarantsoa, south-central Madagascar. It serves as a model for future school developments in the region. Discover more about the Bougainvillea school
8. How is the local community involved in these projects?
The local community collaborates by providing materials for non-printed components and receiving training in 3D printing technology, which builds technical skills for future employment opportunities. Read about community involvement and training
9. What challenges do these projects face?
Projects encounter challenges such as local resource shortages, logistical issues in transporting materials and equipment, and ensuring that local workers receive proper training to maintain the schools. Learn about challenges and their solutions
10. What are the future plans for 3D-printed schools in Madagascar?
Thinking Huts is planning to expand their 3D-printed school model across Madagascar and beyond, with potential for vocational centers and a focus on scaling the initiative to meet growing education and infrastructure needs. Read more about future plans
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.