AFFORDABLE HOMES ?
While a number of factors determine the cost of a home , the high speed and low labor model that 3D-printed homes follow are making them attractive to nonprofits that work on affordable living options .
Habitat for Humanity , for example , has had two affiliates build homes using 3D printing technology in 2021 in the United States : one in Williamsburg , Virginia , in partnership with building company Alquist 3D , and another in Tempe , Arizona , using a 3D printer from Germany-based PERI Group . The former is the first 3D-printed home to be owner-occupied ; the homeowner closed on her affordable home mortgage in December 2021 with help from Habitat ’ s homebuyer program , according to a statement from the organization .
Meanwhile , in the southern Indian city of Chennai , affordable , 3D-printed homes are being built by Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions ; construction , which can take a little as five days , has also made the structures ideal for natural disaster resettlement . Across the Atlantic , ICON has built 3D-printed homes in Mexico for families living in extreme poverty .
Despite these promising incidents , however , 3D printing may not solve the lack of affordable housing anytime soon . “ Using 3D printing technology is one of many new innovations Habitat for Humanity is exploring ,” the organization shared . “ It is not replacing the way we currently build . We see it as an emerging technology that has the potential to increase our impact on affordable housing .”
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April Springfield ’ s 3D-printed home in Williamsburg , Virginia , was built by Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg in partnership with Alquist 3D .