THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022
Earlier this week, Habitat for Humanity announced the completion of its first home entirely constructed using an Alquist 3D printer.
According to reports, the 1,200-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom concrete structure can withstand hurricanes and tornados and was constructed in just 12 hours. Following completion, the home was sold through the Habitat Homebuyer program, which works with applicants who clarify their need for safe, affordable housing from community to community around the country.
In addition to living in such an energy efficient space, the new homeowner has also received a personal 3D printer that will let them reprint just about anything from electrical outlets to cabinet knobs.
Habitat for Humanity Debuts First Home Entirely Constructed Via 3D Printer https://t.co/Xn28Vyazvw pic.twitter.com/07tDU6s5EG
— Warren Gorowitz (@WarrenGorowitz) January 4, 2022
“We hope this new 3D technology will be another way to build more affordable homes for families with low to moderate income,” said Janet V. Green, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peninsula & Greater Williamsburg.
The 3D-printed structure is EarthCraft certified, meaning that the home serves as a blueprint for comfortable homes that both reduce utility bill costs and minimize negative environmental impacts.
“Habitat and Alquist share a similar mission: building housing that is affordable. We both believe in the American Dream of homeownership, and, by partnering, we can realize this dream for more families,” said Alquist 3D Founder and CEO Zack Mannheimer.
“3DCP (3D concrete printing) reduces the amount of waste that is typically found on a jobsite, and our energy savings are significant. Still, concrete is far from the most environmentally friendly material, and we are working with partners to create a greener material in the next year.”
Other 3D Printed Homes
In February 2021, New York-based construction technology company SQ4D Inc. listed a 3D-printed home that was the first slated to receive a certification of occupancy in the U.S. The residential property, which was printed onsite with the company’s Autonomous Robotic Construction System, was listed on MLS for sale as new construction for $299,999, in Riverhead, New York.
The 1,400-square-foot home (plus 750-square-foot garage) offers three bedrooms, two bathrooms and features an open floor plan. The building material listed reads as insulated concrete forms and SQ4D notes that the home includes the same 50-year warranty that the company puts on all of its 3D-printed structures.
The ARCS technology reportedly built the footings and foundations as well as the interior and exterior walls and the company notes that it’s a step in its mission to help aid the affordable housing crisis.
The company reportedly has other plans being reviewed elsewhere in New York as well as California.
Commercial occupancy permits aside, many firms around the world have been stepping into the realm of 3D printing buildings.
At the beginning of 2019, Austin-based Sunconomy, along with San Francisco-based Forge New, were preparing to not only lease their We Print Houses system and technology, but were also gearing up to print what will be the demonstration house for the process moving forward.
At the time, they announced building a house in Lago Vista, Texas, in which the entire structure would be printed. The We Print Houses System reportedly uses hydrophobic, self-binding geopolymer cement that not only complies with international building codes but also meets standards that make the homes safe against most natural disasters.
By December, Boston-based company Apis Cor recently announced that it had completed what it touted as the largest 3D-printed building in the world—in 21 days.
The structure is a two-story administrative governmental office building in Dubai. It was built using just one mobile printer.
The structure is 31 feet tall, covering an area of 6,889 square feet. According to reports, the walls were printed, while other aspects such as insulation, roofing, foundation and windows were installed via traditional methods.
The printing materials was a proprietary mixture of components such as sand, cement and gypsum. The entire cost of the project was not released.
Tagged categories: 3D Printing; Color + Design; concrete; Habitat for Humanity; Housing; Program/Project Management; Residential; Residential Construction; Residential contractors
