Habitat for Humanity Just Delivered Its First 3D Printed Home in the US

The nonprofit Habitat for Humanity uses volunteer labor to build homes with affordable mortgages for families in need (who also invest hundreds of hours of their own labor) — or to renovate or repair/improve existing homes. But this week saw them delivering something new: a 3D-printed home, built with giant 3D printers from a company called Alquist). CNN reports: The 1,200-square-foot home has three bedrooms, two full baths and was built from concrete. The technology allowed the home to be built in just 12 hours, which saves about four weeks of construction time for a typical home.... The concrete used in the house's 3D construction has many long-term benefits, such as the ability to retain temperature [reducing heating and cooling costs] and withstand natural disasters, like tornadoes and hurricanes. [It also reduced building costs by an estimated 15% per square foot.] Stringfield's home also includes a personal 3D printer that will allow her to reprint anything she may need, "everything from electrical outlet to trim to cabinet knobs," Janet V. Green, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg, told CNN. While this is the first 3D home for Habitat for Humanity in the U.S., it certainly won't be the last. Green told CNN it hopes to continue partnering and developing the technology used with the printing. "We would love to build more with this technology, especially because it's got that long-term savings for the homeowners," Green said. The house will also have "smart building" applications that track data on the indoor environment through a proprietary Virginia Tech system that uses a Raspberry Pi, according to a statement from Habitat for Humanity. And the house will be outfitted with solar panels, "for even more cost savings after the family moves in."

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