3D Printed Housing
3D Printed Housing
What is 3D Printing?
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is an innovative construction technology that builds objects layer by layer from digital models. This technology is used across various industries, including construction, to create everything from small components to entire buildings. According to the American Society for Testing and Materials and the International Organization for Standardization, additive manufacturing is defined as “the process of combining materials to construct objects from 3D model data, usually layer by layer.”
How does 3D Printing Work?
3D printing works by following a digital blueprint created through computer-aided design (CAD) software. The printer reads the digital file and systematically deposits material, such as concrete or polymer, layer by layer until the final structure is formed. This method offers several advantages, including precision, reduced waste, and the ability to create complex geometries that are difficult or impossible with traditional construction methods.
Key Steps in 3D Printing:
Design: A digital 3D model is created using CAD software. This step involves detailed planning and design, allowing for the creation of complex structures that traditional methods might struggle with.
Preparation: The model is sliced into thin horizontal layers, which the printer will build sequentially. Each slice acts as a blueprint for that specific layer, guiding the printer in material deposition.
Printing: Material is extruded through a nozzle to create each layer, adhering to the layer below it. This process continues until the entire structure is complete. The material used can vary, but concrete and polymers are common in construction applications.
Post-Processing: The printed structure may undergo finishing touches, such as smoothing surfaces or adding additional components. This can involve manual labor or additional automated processes, depending on the complexity of the design and the requirements of the final structure.
3D Printing Houses
While 3D printing holds potential for both multifamily and single-family construction, to date, the technology has seen more application in the single-family sector. This technology streamlines the building process by effectively automating the placement of concrete, potentially replacing traditional tasks performed by masons and concrete tradespeople.
Benefits of 3D Printed Houses
Cost Efficiency: Reduced labor and material costs make 3D printed houses more affordable. Automation reduces the need for a large workforce, and the precision of 3D printing minimizes material waste.
Speed: Houses can be printed in a fraction of the time it takes to build using traditional methods. For example, a small house can be printed in just a few days compared to several months with conventional construction.
Sustainability: The process generates less waste and can use sustainable materials. Additionally, 3D printing allows for the integration of eco-friendly designs, such as better insulation and energy-efficient layouts.
Design Flexibility: Complex and custom designs are easier to achieve without additional costs. This flexibility allows for innovative architectural styles and functional designs that cater to specific needs and preferences.
Notably, the application of 3D printing for homebuilding is somewhat limited by the material specificity—concrete in this case—restricting its use to components where concrete is the preferred material. While it can automate and expedite the construction of these elements, the technology's current scope does not encompass the entirety of the building process. The list below shows which construction trades 3d printing is most likely to impact when utilized in housing construction:
Construction Trades Potentially Impacted by 3D Printing
Bricklayers/Masons
Framing crews
Drywall installation workers
Concrete workers
Painters
Construction Trades Unlikely to be Impacted by 3D Printing
Carpenters - finished
Carpenters - rough
Plumbers
Electricians
HVAC workers
Flooring installers
Excavators
Weatherization workers
Roofers
Building maintenance managers
Landscaping workers
Despite its limitations, 3D printing in concrete construction presents an opportunity for innovation in the design and execution of structural elements, offering potential cost savings, waste reduction, and the ability to create designs that might be challenging or impossible with traditional construction methods. As such, it is a promising tool for certain segments of the homebuilding industry, particularly those looking to incorporate unique architectural features or seeking efficiencies in the construction of concrete-based components.
3D Printed Housing: Innovators from Ivory Innovations’ Portfolio
Ivory Innovations’ annual Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability recognizes pioneering solutions from private-sector companies, nonprofits, and government agencies in the housing sphere. Each year, the Prize recognizes winners in each of three areas of focus: Construction and Design, Policy and Regulatory Reform, and Finance. Over the years since the Prize’s inception, the former category has featured a number of organizations focused specifically on 3D printed housing construction. These organizations are as follows:
Apis Cor - Apis Cor develops highly mobile 3D printers and construction materials for homebuilding. Their robot is smaller than most others on the market, and is ready to work within 30 minutes of arriving at the job site, driving down the transportation and set-up costs associated with a project.
Diamond Age - Diamond Age’s mission is to get first-time homebuyers into their first home faster, using 3D printing and advanced industrial-scale robotics – AKA – building robots bigger than houses to build houses. Diamond Age is automating new home construction for the production housing industry – solving the massive labor shortage plaguing the home construction industry and bringing more entry level housing to market to balance demand. Diamond Age is currently building entry-level homes for the 9th largest homebuilder in the U.S..
ICON - ICON develops advanced construction technologies that advance humanity. Using proprietary 3D printing robotics, software and advanced materials, ICON is shifting the paradigm of homebuilding on Earth and beyond.