The 3D printed homes of
Habitat for Humanity by Lisa Guthrie Deabill
For years , Habitat for Humanity has built new homes and transformed old , dilapidated houses into beautiful residences for low-income families . Now , the nonprofit organization is taking a new approach to create brand new homes .
In 2021 , Habitat built its first 3D-printed home in the United States .
Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg in Virginia broke ground on the project in July . Within 28 hours ,
Alquist 3D printed the walls of a 1,200-square-foot home . Habitat says using concrete for the walls saved an estimated 15 percent in building costs . And unlike wood , concrete retains temperatures , which saves on the cost of heating and cooling . After the walls went up , construction workers used traditional methods to build the rest of the home .
April Stringfield purchased the 3D printed home in Virginia on December 21 , 2021 and was able to move in with her son just in time for Christmas . She said , “ When I first got the opportunity to buy a home , I didn ’ t really know anything about the 3D . But the team explained it to me . Habitat , you know , is always willing to help explain . She sent videos , they let me see it , they let me go and touch .”
Habitat ’ s homebuyer program helps people who could not otherwise afford a mortgage buy their own home . One requirement is 300 hours of sweat equity . That means families must help with work on their home or other Habitat homes .
Two more families in Virginia will
Source : Habitat for Humanity soon move into their very own 3D printed homes . Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg began the structures in October .
Zach Mannheimer , Alquist CEO , believes 3D technology will help address the lack of affordable housing . He said , “ the number one need in all these towns is housing . And so , for 7 years , we ’ ve been trying to figure out how do we drop the cost of housing . That ’ s how we found 3D . So when you look at Habitat ’ s mission , it ’ s
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