A single-parent family received the keys to their new home for Christmas in the United States. The house was manufactured using 3D printing and in record time.
Can 3D printing represent the future of real estate and respond to the housing crisis? Everyone will have their own opinion, but the initiative of the American non-governmental organization Habitat for Humanity gives grounds for hope. Thanks to teams from the 3D printing company Alquist, April Springfield and her 13-year-old son were able to move in on December 21, a few days before Christmas, in the very first house built by the NGO in the country thanks to the printing. 3d.
A house built in 3D and concrete in less than half a day
Direction the State of Virginia and the small town of Williamsburg, the scene of a technological feat and an act of generosity during this holiday season. The house built for April Springfield, measuring approximately 110 m², has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. The new owner has provided 300 hours as a volunteer to be eligible for the program and will repay a mortgage – 20 to 30 years without interest – to finance the same program.
Unlike the usual constructions in the neighborhood, made of wood, the building rests on concrete, a surface less “pleasant” visually speaking but much more solid and airtight, since it is more resistant to extreme temperatures and saves costs. costs on heating and cooling, in addition to a saving of 15% on the overall construction bill.
And let’s talk about the construction, because it is obviously anything but ordinary. It is indeed thanks to 3D printing that this house was able to see the light of day. In just 12 hours (compared to 4 weeks for a standard house offered through the Habitat for Humanity program), the concrete and the printer did their work.
A property optimized for energy savings
Best of all, concrete will help your home withstand some natural disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes that are common in this part of the United States. The proprietary monitoring system (for the evolution of data from inside the house) will run on Raspberry Pi. And the house will be equipped with solar panels in the coming weeks, in order to further increase the energy savings achieved. by the family.
Habitat for Humanity wants to stay true to its original promise of offering low-income families access to homeownership status. To do this, the NGO is once again counting on 3D printing. ” We would like to build more with this technology, especially because it saves homeowners long-term savings. ”Said Janet V. Green, leader of the organization.
Alquist also stays true to his ways. The company has decided to install a 3D printer in the kitchens of all the houses it builds. April Springfield will therefore receive a downloadable file that will allow it to print electrical outlets, buttons and other replaceable parts.
Source: CNN
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