From Digital Models to 3D-Printed Homes: Jaspreet Kaur Lall Explains How the Innovation Changes the Construction Industry

In February 2025, three families in Dundalk, Ireland, moved into their new homes, becoming the first residents in Ireland in the UK to live in the 3D-printed houses. These two-story homes were constructed using advanced 3D printing technology, automating the concrete laying process and reducing construction time and costs while enhancing structural integrity. Similar projects are emerging in other parts of the world, from Australia's first 3D-printed multi-story home to the world's first 3D-printed hotel in Texas, which is currently being constructed. This is just one of the many innovative approaches that change the construction landscape, and in the near future, we can expect a lot of "first-of-a-kind" pioneering solutions to become a standard part of the building process. Jaspreet Kaur Lall, a construction project manager with over a decade of experience—including roles at major UK realty consultancies and overseeing refurbishment projects for one of the largest UK transport infrastructure companies, and a jury member at the Globee Awards for Customer Excellence—provides insights into the technological changes reshaping the construction landscape.

"For an extended period, construction companies were reluctant to implement sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, as they were viewed as less cost-effective and more labor-intensive," explains Jaspreet Kaur Lall. "However, recent technological advancements have shifted the perspective, and now construction companies need to accept that sustainable technologies become more beneficial, especially in the long-term view."

As a result, the adoption of innovative solutions in construction is currently driven by multiple factors, ranging from profit maximization to external pressures like environmental considerations.

One of the most prominent examples of innovation changing the way the industry operates is the growing proliferation of Building Information Modeling (BIM), a digital process involving creating a comprehensive digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of the building. These digital models can be then used for various purposes during the whole lifecycle of the building, from 3D-printing constructive elements of the building or even the building as an entire to efficient maintenance and renovation in the future. Moreover, BIM provides a solid ground for more efficient collaboration among all stakeholders, as it creates a shared digital workspace containing detailed information related to the project and is accessible to all parties. It also helps to optimize resource allocation, minimize wastage, and reduce costs. Improved planning, enhanced with detailed data on the building, environment, and functionality, allows for greater energy efficiency and sustainability. As a result, implementing BIM into construction project management proves itself to be beneficial both regarding the company's profitability and environmental concerns. The benefits provided by BIM align well with the comprehensive and holistic approach to building construction that Jaspreet Kaur Lall implements in her work.

"The most successful projects are those that manage to integrate innovative digital solutions into established construction processes," she comments, based on her experience of working on multiple projects in the UK and in Australia. "New technologies can improve all aspects of construction companies operation, reducing costs and helping them to meet deadlines."

For instance, in one of the companies she worked at, Jaspreet Kaur Lall implemented a new approach to document standardization, which streamlined the company's internal processes and simplified the process of project submissions, resulting in greater operational efficiency.

This is just one of the many examples of how digitization spreads among both public and private construction projects. It is no wonder that over the last decade, the BIM adoption level has continued to grow, reaching 45% among European companies in 2023. Moreover, governments worldwide are making decisions to mandate BIM usage to a certain degree. For instance, since 2016, the UK has mandated using BIM Level 2 for all public sector projects. The focus of BIM Level 2 is enhancing collaborative working and data exchange when each discipline, such as architecture, engineering, or construction, is required to create its own 3D models in standardized formats, which are then combined to form a federated building model. The approach facilitates interaction between all participating parties, streamlines workflow, and enhances efficiency.

The BIM Level 2 approach is used extensively in several public projects in the UK, for instance, in the Priority School Building Programme, which aims to renovate and refurbish dilapidated school buildings across the country. Digital prototypes enable the projects to be completed within budget and within the tight schedule, demonstrating the efficiency gains achievable with BIM. One of the illustrative examples is the case of Wilsthorpe School renovation, where BIM implementation allowed for more efficient and future-proof asset management facilitated interactions between stakeholders, including multiple designers and architects. Furthermore, in 2024, the mandates were updated to align with broader environmental and sustainability objectives. The updated BIM mandates include stricter requirements for data management and integration of digital twin technologies across the industry. This new standard is expected to be critical in achieving a net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.

"Innovative approaches are changing both the management processes and construction practices implemented on the ground," comments Jaspreet Kaur Lall.

She adds that there are many other technologies currently in the works that can be applied to all aspects of the industry: prefabrication and modular construction, along with automation, shorten project timelines and increase efficiency; reality capture and Internet of Things technologies facilitate progress monitoring and quality control; data analytics and machine learning provide a reliable base for decision-making.

However, to leverage the full potential of technology, a new approach to project management is required, one that will allow construction project managers to keep a broader scope of processes and quickly determine how to implement emerging solutions efficiently and safely. This is why establishing a solid theoretical base becomes especially important for a professional aiming to build a career in the field.

"Architectural Technology allowed me to understand any project's technical details better. The combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience is a useful skill for anyone working in the field, as it helps to provide more objective and detailed building assessments and to keep a holistic view of the project lifecycle in its entirety," explains Jaspreet Kaur Lall.

She consistently supports and promotes this approach among the teams she works with, as well as at seminars and presentations. With the support of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (UK) and one of the UK universities, she has conducted multiple seminars to inform the audience about the recent industry developments and the practical, actionable strategies for using innovative approaches to the benefit of both construction companies and their clients. To further support the strive for innovation in the industry, she participated on the jury board at Globee Awards for Customer Excellence 2025, aiming to discover and celebrate the most innovative and efficient organizations and individuals.

Jaspreet Kaur Lall concludes that in the following years, the construction industry will undergo a significant transformation, with innovative technology becoming an integral part of its operations. Along with the further development and proliferation of the approaches described above, such as 3D-printed buildings or digital models, other innovations are expected to emerge, from automating construction processes to using IoT for data gathering and improved monitoring. These technologies will transform the construction industry, making it more sustainable, safe, and efficient, and the process of this transformation is already happening.