Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that helps families build and improve their homes, has built a 3D-printed home in just 28 hours. The house, located in Tempe, Arizona, was constructed using a large 3D printer developed by the construction technology company Icon.
The printer used a proprietary mixture of concrete, which was extruded layer by layer to create the walls of the house. The process is similar to traditional 3D printing, but on a much larger scale. The printer used for this project stands 27 feet tall, 33 feet wide, and 11 feet deep.
The 3D-printed house is 1,700 square feet and has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Habitat for Humanity plans to sell the home to a low-income family at an affordable price.
The use of 3D printing in construction has the potential to significantly reduce construction costs and time. It also allows for more design flexibility and customization, as the printer can create almost any shape or pattern. However, 3D printing is still a relatively new technology in construction, and there are still challenges to be addressed, such as the availability of suitable materials and the need for skilled operators to run the printers.
Overall, the successful construction of this 3D-printed home represents a promising step forward for affordable housing and sustainable construction practices.