As the housing market continues to be more costly to would-be homeowners, 3D-printed houses are emerging as a more sustainable, affordable, and easier to build option.
The “Quatro” 3D-Printed House in California by Mighty Buildings & EYRC
Mighty Buildings, an automated home manufacturer based in Oakland, is making advances in 3D-printing houses. They worked with Culver City architects EYRC to design and build a prototype called “Quatro” in Desert Hot Springs, California. The model house is flat and shaped like a rectangle with printed panels and windows. It measures 1,176 square ft with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an ADU.
Benefits of the “Quatro”
The company claims their 3D-printed homes take 50% less time to build than traditional houses, which take around 9-12. months. They also produce 99% less waste, and are 4x stronger because it is made of Light Stone, the company’s proprietary material that looks and feels like stone.
The “Quatro” home is also very heat resistant with its heat-reflecting window coatings, which is helpful in the desert. It is soundproof and can withstand hurricanes and earthquakes.
Might Buildings’ homes are aiming for net zero energy with their solar panel roofs, heat pumping systems which use 50% less energy than conventional heating, and insulated panels made from 60% recycled resin. Each “Quatro” home has been pre-approved by California’s Department of Housing and Community Development Factory Built Housing (FBH) program.
Design Inspiration
The “Quatro” is similar in design to the homes of Art and Architecture Magazine’s Case Study House program. This was launched in 1945 with the goal of creating affordable and efficient model homes. The prototype is especially similar to Craig Ellwood’s Case Study House 18, which was constructed in 1957. The EYRC architects had in fact used the Case Study Program as a model for the “Quatro,” as partner Mathew Chaney stated.
Future Direction
Once all construction is finished, the Desert Hot Springs community will have 20 “Quatro” homes, all of which will be created in Mexico and assembled on site. There will also be 50 traditional houses. Mighty Buildings has plans to build more 3D-printed housing communities in California and other states. They will also build larger houses, such as 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom models.
Icon’s 3D-Printed Concrete Houses
Mighty Buildings is not the only company making waves in the 3D-printed housing market. Austin-based Icon, which is also an automated construction firm, is constructing 3D-printed concrete homes for unhoused individuals in the U.S. and even internationally. Recently, Icon announced the Genesis Collection at Wolf Ranch in Texas. This project, done in collaboration with Lennar homebuilders, Ross Perot’s Hillwood Communities, and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), aims to create a community of 100 homes.
The 3D-printed houses will vary from 3-bed to 4-bed and 1,574 to 2,112 square ft with solar panel roofs and smart home features. Prices will start at around $450K. Individuals can start reserving these houses in 2023.
Alquist 3D’s Project Virginia
Another automated construction firm, the Iowa City-based Alquist 3D which specializes in affordable rural housing, is also building a 3D-printed housing community. Project Virginia will consist of 200 3D-printed homes with layered concrete and wood framed roofs. The community will stretch as far remote as Pulaski, a very small area with a population of 8,691.
The International 3d-Printed Housing Market
Apart from the US, other countries are pioneering the market as well.
The Canadian developer Horizon Legacy is working with 6 firms to create Canada’s first 3D-printed neighborhood in Gananoque, Ontario. The houses will be affordable, multi-story buildings for families.
France’s XtreeE, has completed their Viliaprint Project, which consists of 5 3D-printed housing communities. They collaborated with Agencecoste architects and the developer Plurial Novilia.
The 3D-Printed Future of Housing
As construction firms and architects across the world are building 3D-printed housing community, they may be ushering in a new age of affordable housing. Only time will tell if this development is a good long-term solution to rising housing costs and environmental damage.
References:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90831425/era-of-3d-printed-suburbia
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-global-properties/2023/07/28/trailblazer-3d-printed-homes-take-shape-in-californias-coachella-valley/
