Habitat for Humanity Deploys First 3D Printed Home

Habitat for Humanity partnered with Alquist to build the 1200-square-foot house in Williamsburg, VA. Alquist, a large-scale 3D printing company, aims to make home ownership more accessible across demographics using advanced, environmentally-friendly building techniques. Not only does the company’s strategy reduce build time, but its 3D printed concrete homes are said to boast longer life expectancies than traditional wood-framed structures. Concrete walls also stand up well against tornadoes and hurricanes and help to reduce homeowners’ energy bills, as they offer better insulation than wood and drywall.

The single-family residence became April Stringfield’s home just days before Christmas. Stringfield, who works at a nearby hotel and has a 13-year-old son, purchased the home through Habitat for Humanity’s Habitat Homebuyer Program, which allows people with lower yet steady incomes purchase homes with zero interest. 

Walking by, you’d never guess the home is 3D printed. Its walls are made of layered concrete, giving the exterior a textured look almost like stucco. (Alquist’s site says each home’s interior and exterior finish is up to the homebuyer, as the company is able to produce a smooth, stucco-like, or “popcorn” finish.) The crew was able to print the home in 12 hours, reducing construction time by several weeks. Some of the home’s decorative features, like its front porch, appear to have been built using traditional methods—but the home comes with a personal 3D printer that allows Stringfield to print items like trim and cabinet knobs, should she need them in the future.

Prior to Stringfield’s move-in, the home was fitted with a Raspberry Pi-based monitoring system designed to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. Andrew McCoy, Director of the Virginia Center for Housing Research and Associate Director of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech, worked with Alquist on this long-term project. The monitoring system will track and maintain indoor environment data, enabling a handful of smart building applications designed to lower Stringfield’s energy bills. Compatible solar panels will also be installed on the home once Stringfield and her son are settled in.

“My son and I are so thankful,” Stringfield said upon receiving her new home. “I always wanted to be a homeowner. It’s like a dream come true.”

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