3D Printed Homes: A Construction Solution for the Future?

If you've ever gone through a basic kitchen or bathroom remodel in the Bay Area, you know that construction projects can be extraordinarily lengthy and costly. (and that's putting it politely, isn't it?) 

So much so that many professional developers won't even consider doing renovations that require building an addition, preferring to stay "inside the envelope", AKA the existing footprint of the house. 

New developments in 3D printing aim to reduce the pain points of both cost and time, while opening up radical new techniques for making construction more sustainable. 

Some of the companies on the cutting edge of this technology are claiming impressive feats, including: 

• Homes built in under a week
• Net-neutral homes that consume only as much energy as they generate
• Projects that boast 99% less waste than traditional construction
• Constructed entirely out of organic bio-materials

Construction waste and emissions is an issue that deserves attention, and we should all be rooting for solutions. According to the UN Environment Programme, the building and construction sector is responsible for approximately 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That's staggering. 3D-printing may be one way to continue to provide much needed housing while reducing the environmental footprint. 

Many 3D homes have similar, hallmark design elements, including curvilinear walls and textured surfaces created during the printing process. Others are hybrid construction, with parts of the home being built with traditional methods like wood framing, which at first glance look much like conventional new construction. 

Check out this list of TEN 3D printed homes and you'll see different styles adapted to different locations, buyer demands, and price points. (the videos of the printing process are pretty cool)

Could 3D-printed homes have a part to play in creating more affordable housing at a time when every major US city is short on it? Time will tell. Multi-home developments are currently underway in Texas, the Netherlands, Germany, and Michigan. But it would never fly in California…. right? Actually - there are at least two 3D printed home communities already in California. Oakland based company Mighty Buildings is working on projects in Rancho Mirage and Desert Hot Springs. 

As with any new technology, there is a learning curve. Building codes are famously labyrinthine and location-specific. It might not be known how new material blends will perform over time and in different climates. It will be exciting to watch as this new frontier in home construction evolves. 

Brought to you by the top real estate agents at Pacific Edge Real Estate Group

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