Adrian Priestman, a British architect, believes he is the first to design and actually use 3D-printed components in the construction industry. The component is a decorative sheath developed for a canopy, which will be used on the roof of the 6 Bevis Marks office in London.

The component has been “through an approval process and tried and tested, and actually installed in a building.” Priestman became involved in the project because the typical steel used for this particular component would not be practical or aesthetically pleasing. The component is only for decorative purposes, though, and if it falls off then the steel beneath will stay standing and stable.

This product has been approved for use in the construction industry, possibly spurring a wave of new inventions and experimentation with 3D printing in construction and other established industries. Priestman is working with Skanka’s (a building contractor) innovation team to find other uses for 3D printing in the industry. Up to this point, 3D printing has mainly been used in them solely as a modeling tool.