Working with the University of Windsor as their technology partner, Aretek (formerly Printerra) has begun construction on a net-zero, multi-storey 3D-printed student residence, made possible by our engineered systems and delivery framework for Additive Construction.
This proof-of-concept project, expected to be completed in late summer 2026, marks a milestone for Aretek and for the Additive Construction industry.
Aretek’s professional engineering services are provided through Printerra Inc., which operates under the business name Aretek and holds a current Certificate of Authorization issued by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO). To obtain the permit for this project, our engineers had to demonstrate that our non-standard 3D-printed concrete structural wall system performs at least as well as code-prescribed masonry construction. That proof was established through significant time and effort invested in original research and design, testing, and professional engineering justification developed and presented by Printerra Inc to the municipality.
Overcoming the permitting barrier is one of the most critical steps in making Additive Construction viable at scale. Obtaining the permit for this project is a significant achievement, as it establishes a repeatable permitting pathway. Aretek’s Engineered 3DCP Wall System and supporting documentation can now be reused for future buildings in Windsor and, subject to jurisdictional review, in other municipalities, reducing uncertainty and shortening approval timelines. Combined with BIM-based design workflows and permit application templates developed by our team, this approach helps build momentum by enabling Additive Construction projects to move from concept to approval more often and more quickly.
Our team has developed the Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) standards and procedures required to certify both the process and the printed system as built. This capability is a core part of Aretek’s operating model and enables projects delivered under an alternative solution permit to proceed with confidence while maintaining regulatory and performance integrity.
Watch the CTV News report:
The University of Windsor wanted to build a net-zero building that would reduce operational energy demand and long-term environmental impact.
Aretek is able to deliver strong net-zero performance because 3D-printed walls consolidate multiple building functions into a single system, reducing construction complexity and improving performance once the building is occupied. Aretek’s Engineered 3DCP Wall System integrates structure, insulation, and airtightness into one optimized building envelope, combining thermal mass with continuous insulation and reduced thermal bridging to lower energy demand while minimizing material waste and embodied carbon.
Read the full press release from University of Windsor here.
This project brings together the work Aretek has been building toward for years. It reflects the maturation of our systems, our engineering capability, and our delivery model, exercised together in a single, permitted building. It is the first time all of those elements are being applied at once, at building scale, and in partnership with a public institution.
Developers, designers, and builders curious about Additive Construction have been waiting for a real example that shows how the technology performs and how regulatory hurdles can be overcome. Once completed and occupied, the Windsor 3D Housing Project signals that Additive Construction, supported by Aretek’s engineered systems and delivery framework, has moved from concept into built reality.
For Aretek, this project signals readiness. It shows what becomes possible when Additive Construction is supported by engineered systems and a delivery framework designed to work within existing construction and permitting environments. It also marks a moment where exploration can give way to execution, giving industry partners the confidence to incorporate Additive Construction into future projects.
