A 3D printed house is defined as a house or a residential building constructed using 3D printing technology, which is a core method used in construction. It is defined as one of the best nurturers of the idea of sustainable living, which is currently at its peak. Therefore, it was made by architecture students and is truly one of a kind. However, the concept of a 3D printed house might come off as new to a certain range of people. A portion of the public may know about it, though, along with sustainable living lovers. Thus, to answer all the questions of what a 3D printed house is while discussing the present achievement will be covered in this blog.
What is the most recent news about 3D Printed House?
Woodbury University’s architecture students created history by bringing in the first permitted 3D printed house. This was brought to the Los Angeles area. It was created by 3D printing technology. This was supplied by COBOD International. What is more interesting is that the 3D-printed house was completed in just fifteen hours! All of this was done by using a BOD2 printer. The Laborers International Union of North America and 3D Builder Emergent partnered with students and, thus, made the project happen.
What is a 3D Printed House?
A 3D printed house is defined as a residential building. It is constructed by 3D printing technology. Elaboratively, the 3D printer uses a converted blueprint for this task. It also uses CAD drawing to create a physical structure by gradually printing the material in layers. This process is much more convenient than others. This is because, as compared to most cases, it is more cost and time-efficient. All of these factors contribute to it being better than traditional construction techniques.
The 3D construction printer mainly focuses on the house’s basic structure. This means that the installation of components such as windows, doors, and electrical systems is done after the printing process. The technology can also be used for building industrial, public, and commercial constructions. It can also be used in building sections of other structures. This can include wind turbines and other required forms.
A 3D printed house is known to be similar to a life-size dwelling that uses 3D printing as its primary means of construction. With minimal human oversight, these highly customizable structures can be built on-site. They can also be built off-site within a matter of hours at a fraction of the cost.
How is a 3D-printed house built?
To build a 3D printed house, one requires a converted blueprint or CAD drawing. Along with it, a 3D construction printer, a material supply system, and materials are needed too. The process can differ depending on factors like printer model and choice of material. However, the process of building a 3D-printed house usually contains 4 steps.
The four steps required in building a 3D Printed House
Below are the four steps described in detail:
Create a CAD drawing for your project
The first step in printing a 3D house is to create a blueprint or CAD drawing. Usually, architects and engineers create a plan using computer-aided design (CAD) software. The plan contains a detailed description of the design and measurements of the building. This, on a large scale, widely includes the placement of windows, doors, and electrical and plumbing systems.
Next, a 3D slicer software program comes in. It helps the printer convert the detailed drawing into a printable file. This extensively allows for the preparation of installing the printer onsite. It also helps in estimating time and material usage.
Preparation – material and printer installation
The second step includes installing the 3D printer onsite. All of this is done with additional pieces of equipment. This extensively includes types of equipment such as hardware and software solutions, a pump, a mini batch plant, and a safety fence (if needed).
Furthermore, an analysis of the materials and environment is always needed. This is because the analysis will ensure that the building will withstand the weather and other environmental conditions. Depending on the result of the analysis, adjustments are made to the printing material mix. The most commonly used materials for 3D printed homes are currently a variation of concrete or mortar.
Printing the walls
The printer uses the converted drawing. It prints the walls in layers, following the predetermined design of the house. Depending on the design and architecture, the printer’s position might change during the process. The nozzle defines the finish of the walls. This can be smooth or layered.
After the house’s walls are printed, a common procedure is to keep the concrete moisturized for another 24 hours. Either water is sprayed on the walls, or the construction is covered in plastic. All of this is done to keep the moisture from evaporating. This procedure helps prevent cracks or flaws in the concrete.
One of the main advantages of 3D concrete printing is that it is time-effective compared to conventional construction methods. Therefore, you can have the core of the building within hours or a few days, depending on the complexity of the building.
Additional installations
When the walls are dry, the final step is to complete all the necessary finishing touches. This step, on a high basis, usually involves installing electrical and plumbing systems and adding doors and windows.
What is the cost of a 3D Printed House?
The cost of a 3D printed house varies from project to project. It also faces further price contingencies based on the hired companies and materials used. All of this while leaving the scope of geographic location, size, amenities, design complexity, etc.
However, developers stateside and abroad report cost savings of up to 30 percent. 3D printed houses first came up in the U.S. market at the start of 2021. The 1,407-square-foot house. It came in complete with three bedrooms, two baths, and a two-car garage in Riverhead, New York. It is listed as “the world’s first 3D-printed home for sale” for $299,999 on Zillow.com.
As reported by Business Insider, ICON, a 3D-printing construction company, said it could produce a 600 to 800-square-foot, economy-sized building for as low as $4,000 in 24 hours.
Examples of 3D Printed House
Below are some examples:
BioHome3D
The University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center is 3D-printing housing structures exclusively from bio-resins. It is bringing in wood fibers to combat labor shortages and, thus, widening access to affordable housing. The demo project, known as BioHome3D, begins with a 600-square-foot prototype that features a fully 3D-printed floor and roof. As a whole, the one-bedroom, one-bathroom building is recyclable. It is made up entirely of biodegradable materials, including wood flour. As a prototype, BioHome3D is equipped with monitoring sensors measuring thermal, environmental, and structural elements. All of this is done to gather resilience-based data to better inform future designs.
Citizen Robotics’ 3D-Printed Home
In 2024, housing construction company Citizen Robotics built the first 3D printed house in Michigan. This was done with design assistance from developed architecture. In this, the president of the Detroit chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. Citizen Robotics applies robotic and automated construction techniques to reduce the costs and materials needed for home construction. Its 1000-square-foot, two-bedroom home and attached wall segments were 3D printed at the company’s Southwest Detroit facility. This was then placed and assembled on-site in the Islandview neighborhood of Detroit. The home became available for purchase in 2024.
East 17th Street Residences
These four Austin, Texas properties by construction 3D-printing company ICON feature open floor plans, minimal architectural aesthetics, and private yards. Varying in size, these residences feature two to four bedrooms and range from 1,000 to 2,000-square-foot homes. Each ground floor level is built with a proprietary cement-based material. It is dubbed “Lavacrete,” and it is used because it can last longer than traditional construction materials, according to the company’s website. The second story incorporates old-school methods. It is constructed out of black metal cladding and rich-colored timber. They share a color palette of green, white, and terracotta and have all been sold.
Conclusion
Therefore, these are the basic information about a 3 printed house. A 3D printed house may be costly depending on the type of amenities you might want in it. However, by all means, a 3D printed house is the perfect match for a person who loves sustainability. A 3D printed house also contributes to environmental development. This, in the long run, is beneficial for people in the long run and for the environment too.
FAQ’s
What is a 3D printed house?
A 3D printed house is a structure that is built layer by layer using industrial-grade, 3D-printing technology.
Is a 3D printed house environment-friendly?
Yes, 3D printed houses are environment-friendly.
What are the disadvantages of a 3D printed house?
The disadvantage of a 3D printed house is that it can be difficult to change or alter once it is made fully.
Also Read:
