OUR STORY
A 3D construction company with a difference
Here at Contour3D, we believe that we can make Australia a leader in advanced manufacturing technology. By constantly pioneering the disciplines of material sciences, advanced robotics, software development and precision engineering we will revolutionise the way we build.
Being Australia’s most precise, high quality and innovative 3D construction company, we ensure each project is delivered to a high standard to not only meet your expectations, but exceed them.
We innovate, engineer, and build accessible and sustainable solutions for:
- Housing and structures
- Civil applications
- Civic applications
- Architectural features and materials
OUR JOURNEY SO FAR
DECEMBER 2019
Nick Holden, the founder of Contour3D, bought his daughter a 3D desktop printer. After assembling and assisting his daughter with a few small 3D projects, Nick became fascinated by the technology.
MARCH 2020
Nick assembled his own larger, semi-commercial desktop printer to cater for the volume of personal projects and R&D rapid prototyping.
MAY 2020
Nick Holden started researching the 3D concrete printing sector and started sketching various basic machine designs to perform initial tests.
SEPTEMBER 2020
Nick and a small team started fabrication of a small test gantry system with a build area of 2.4m x 1.2m x 1.2m. A 3D construction company started to blossom.
DECEMBER 2020
The team tested various methods of extruding the concrete, deciding on a hopper and auger system and quickly commencing the initial trial model and fabrication of this system.
JANUARY 2021
Borrowed a Siemens control system from a CNC mill and incorporated a C-Axis (rotating head).
FEBRUARY 2021
To facilitate the process of transforming the 3D drawings into an accurate movement, the team used the gantry to draw shapes with a Sharpie, before extruding any concrete.
MARCH 2021
The first real-life trial run began, using 100kg of bagged mortar mix from the local hardware store.
APRIL 2021
After months of trialling a blend of 3D printable mortar, the team finalised a design for more thorough and accurate testing; the first precision mixing and pumping station was created.
MAY 2021
The team started to build a larger gantry system based around the same general principles of the small test printer.
JUNE 2021
A new R&D machine with a print volume of 20m x 5m x 3m was finally moving and ready for actual test printing.
JULY 2021
A short-term lease was taken on a new factory that was ‘just’ big enough to stand the new printer up and move it backwards and forwards, giving a limited print length of 6m.
AUGUST 2021
The team refined the mixing/pump system to the point of enabling superb control of this factor, in its many variables, through a device.
NOVEMBER 2021
The team further refined the material design in collaboration with UNSW, achieving consistent results.
MARCH – APRIL 2022
The R&D printer was moved into a bigger factory to test print larger elements. It is now producing predictable results and has the capacity to print larger structures.
MAY 2022
The first 3-metre-high test wall is printed in the factory.
JUNE 2022
The first outdoor 3D printed home is printed on The Block, Tree Change. Using The Block as inspiration, the team start work on the larger, all aluminium, gantry design.
The team behind the machine
Nick Holden
Founder
The current team is led by our founder Nick Holden, a serial entrepreneur in the building industry who comes from a family of construction engineers and successful entrepreneurs. Nick has experience with start-ups, building his other company ModularWalls from scratch to one which now boasts over 80 employees in five warehouses across the country and $30,000,000 in annual revenues.
Nick’s extensive experience in fabrication and general engineering saw him specialise in machine building and production automation. Nick’s passion keeps him firmly on the factory floor getting his hands dirty and he is intimately involved in every aspect of the 3D business.
“We are a tech company that builds, not a building company that incorporates tech.”
Shayne Jessiman
General Manager
Shayne Jessiman is an accomplished individual who excels in cultivating growth and seizing opportunities within the business landscape. With over 15 years of experience in senior management positions across various industries, Shayne has proven expertise in driving success.
Starting from a modest sales engineering role, Shayne has risen to positions of leadership, guiding companies towards financial prosperity. Recognising the significance of collaboration and understanding the needs of key stakeholders, employees, and management, Shayne ensures success at every level of the business hierarchy.
Shayne‘s inherent leadership qualities, can-do attitude and ability to work as a team player make him an invaluable asset to Contour3D, playing an active role with all staff and contributing significantly to the company’s future triumphs.
Currently, Shayne is actively developing the business strategy that will propel Contour3D to the next stage of growth. Moreover, he oversees all facets of the business and is currently restructuring and recruiting to better aligning the business with the overall business strategy.
Ashley Mogg
Chief Product Officer
Ash is an accomplished Microelectronic Engineer. He comes to us from the Automotive, Mining and Concrete Reinforcing fields and has now successfully transitioned into the cutting-edge concrete 3d printing industry. Ash holds a Bachelor’s degree in Microelectric Engineering from Griffith University and has a passion to drive innovation in the Australian technology space. Since joining Contour3D, a 3D construction company, Ashley’s focus has been in electronics and machine design, while also getting his hands dirty with the act of 3d construction printing in the field.
Mick Ralph
Mechatronics Engineer
Mick’s background in mechatronics engineering has seen him contribute to every facet of Contour3D’s machine building, including electronics, equipment and electrical design, industrial automation, control systems, project management and fabrication. Mick holds a trade and diploma in Mechanical Engineering, majoring in mechatronics.
Suzy Merriment
Chartered Accountant
Suzy is a qualified Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Accounting) and has previously worked with Nick Holden while he built up the hugely successful ModularWalls business. Before moving into the Building Industry, Suzy worked in the Public Practice industry for over a decade, focusing on accounting and taxation. Suzy is Contour3D’s Financial Controller and Company Secretary.
"We are in a new age of building. The collaboration with Nick and the team at Contour3D has been an amazing opportunity to visit the future, by producing 3D printed buildings today."
Julian Brenchley, Group Architects
Julian Brenchley
Group Architects
Julian Brenchley, director of Group Architects, has collaborated with Contour3D™ in overseeing the design of Contour3D™ projects.
Studying philosophy at Sydney University, and finally architecture at the University of Technology NSW, Julian graduated in 1994 with Honours and is now a Registered Architect in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT. He is the recipient of multiple awards across his career, including the Victorian Premier’s Sustainability award (2013) and the prestigious Architizer A+ Award (2014).
Julian’s goal is to design freedom, sustainability and resilience, and believes 3D printed structures directly respond to the challenges of modern construction.
