Investigating the Environmental Impact of Additive Construction (2026-03)¶

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has been identified as a potential catalyst for a paradigm shift within the construction industry, due to its capacity to enhance sustainability, reduce waste, and augment design flexibility. This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) that explores the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in evaluating the environmental impacts of these technologies. A comprehensive analysis of the extant literature was conducted, identifying a predominance of cradle-­to-­ gate approaches, accompanied by significant advancements in sustainable materials, such as geopolymers and blends with waste materials, and in construction processes compared to traditional techniques. The study highlights multiple challenges, including the necessity to align LCA design choices (e.g., functional unit, system boundaries) with the specificities of 3D-­printed construction systems. A graphical framework was developed to synthesize and interrelate the results obtained, with the aim of guiding future research and professional practice.