The Future of Homes: 3D Printed Houses

3D printed structures could be a game changer for the construction industry, allowing buildings made of more environmentally friendly materials to be produced quickly.

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Photo Credit: Alberto Chiusoli / WASP

According to NPR, in recent years, there has been a serious shortage of houses in the U.S. In many places, the reason for this is that houses cannot be built fast enough. To tackle this issue, Habit for Humanity has begun building houses from giant 3D printers. These printers move back and forth between columns via a steel rail, and they follow automated plans that allow them to lay lines of wet concrete one by one, enabling the interior and exterior walls to be built.

This new method of building houses is relatively new, however, so the technology is not necessarily cost-effective as of yet. Additionally, the printers can’t do all of the work, as they can only build 40% of the structure before workers have to finish the other 60%. Still, 3D printed houses can better withstand winds and storms, so the low-maintenance and durable material may help save money in the long run, and they could reduce labor costs by a significant amount and help with the building process in places where not enough labor is available.

The Environment

Alongside the advantages stated previously, 3D printed houses also allow for greater flexibility in design and can have a positive environmental impact. Firstly, an industrial-quality 3D printer can produce structures that would be rather difficult to create with traditional materials like wood. Intricate patterns and curved walls are all made possible with layered concrete. Secondly, 3D printed technology reduces the amount of waste and garbage that is usually produced during construction, and 3D printed houses can be built using more sustainable materials, biodegradable plastics, or recycled concrete, ultimately allowing 3D printed structures to have a high ceiling for environmental sustainability.

Photo Credit: Darren Allan / TechRadar

Technological Advancements

There have been several different ground-breaking discoveries made in the intersecting fields of 3D printed houses and environmental sustainability. As stated by Forbes, for example, a California-based 3D printing construction company called Mighty Buildings has produced a specific type of cement that emits 60% less CO2 compared to traditional cement. This is because the process of producing cement includes grinding and burning limestone, and 44% of the limestone is burned off as gas, which is released into the air. Thus, the application of this new type of cement in the 3D printing construction industry has massive implication for the future and how we can develop new variations of materials to help keep the environment cleaner.

Another example comes from the work of Texas A&M University researchers who have also further investigated the idea creating new materials for 3D printed houses. These researchers developed a new material called hempcrete, which is labeled as a net-carbon-negative material, meaning that it is derived from hemp, a type of plant, which allows for structures to be highly fire-resistant and have thermal-insulating properties. As a biocomposite material, hempcrete acts also as a moisture regulator, lacks the brittleness of concrete, and is biodegradable, making it much healthier for the environment.

3D printed houses have the potential to revolutionize the construction industry by allowing for rapid production of buildings using more environmentally friendly materials. This technology can address the housing shortage of 4 million U.S. homes and will speed up the construction process, reduce labor costs, and provide durable homes. As technological advancements continue, 3D printed construction could play a crucial role in building a more sustainable future.

References:

• 3D printed houses may be the future of the construction industry : NPR

• 3D Printed House: Pros, Cons, & Trends - BetterPros

• 3D Printing Offers Outstanding Sustainability Benefits, While Also Avoiding Supply Chain Issues (forbes.com)

• Are 3D Printed Houses as Sustainable as They Seem? - 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing

• The first 3D printed House with earth | Gaia | 3D Printers | WASP (3dwasp.com)

• This is the world’s largest 3D-printed house | TechRadar