Months after its anticipated completion, celebrity landscaper Jamie Durie's experimental 3D-printed concrete home in Byron Bay is reportedly still unfinished and described by some as an "unfinished shambles." The ambitious project, intended to showcase the future of housing through 3D concrete printing and automation, was slated for completion within 12 weeks.
Durie acquired a 28.49-hectare property in Nashua, near Byron Bay, for $3.625 million in January 2023, with plans to relocate there with his fiancée, Ameka Jane, and their children. The property, named Akubra, also features a three-bedroom farmhouse, a golf course, and a pool.
The construction of the dwelling was documented for the Nine Network series "Future Houses." In the show's final episode, which aired in December last year, Durie acknowledged that the house was not yet complete, stating, "There's a few finishing touches to make." He noted that "a few tiles to go on" and "a few lights to go in the place" were pending, predicting a "busy summer."
However, photographs taken recently reveal a site still active with construction, featuring work vans, heavy machinery, and scattered building materials and rubble. Tradesmen have been observed working on the property, which remains behind scaffolding and incomplete.
Despite these observations, Durie maintains the project is a success. His manager, Chris Giannopoulos, stated that the core structure achieved "lock-up stage"—meaning it was weatherproof and secure—within 38 days. According to Giannopoulos, the kitchen is finished, appliances are installed, and interior tiling, flooring, windows, doors, and walls are complete. The remaining work reportedly involves exterior tiles, the pool, and landscaping. Giannopoulos added that there was "no need to rush to finish the garden and the exterior landscaping" and that Durie has "quite enjoyed taking his time with it."
Durie had previously suggested to local media that the structure could be built in as little as a month, highlighting the speed of 3D printing technology. He also noted in an interview last December that the project was "either going to be something very special or a huge white elephant."
The home was designed to be off-grid, incorporating features such as double-glazed louvre windows and a solar system capable of generating 150kW of energy daily. The construction utilized non-combustible materials intended to be storm, wind, and flood-proof.
Durie's fiancée, Jane, was responsible for the interiors and furnishings. The show's description emphasized the project as a "world-first statement piece" that blends sustainability with innovation.
The Nine Network has declined to comment on the project's status. The completion of the house and garden is expected to be featured in the upcoming second season of "Future House."