Pulaski, Virginia – April Stringfield has always wanted a home, but never imagined it would be 3D printed.
His home in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the first 3D-printed house occupied by the owner of Habitat for Humanity. She and her son moved into her home in December. Innovative structures are being developed as a possible solution to the crisis of affordable housing.
The concrete walls of the three-bedroom house were built in less than 30 hours by Iowa-based Alquist 3D.
Company founder and CEO Zach Mannheimer says 3D printing reduces costs by up to 15% by reducing labor, materials and time. The goal, he said, is to revolutionize affordable housing.
While there are concerns about the displacement of traditional construction work and some environmental impacts of this method, Mannheimer believes its technology has potential.
“People can’t afford a home. This is the American dream, or rather it was the American dream. We have to go back. 3D printing technology is one way to do that,” he said.
Alquist’s goal in building what would become the world’s largest 3D-printed community is also to potentially revitalize the city and others like it in rural America. The company plans to build 200 3D-printed homes over the next three years, mostly in southwest Virginia, with prices starting at $ 175,000.
There is no place in the United States where someone who works full-time with a minimum wage can afford to even rent a two-bedroom apartment, let alone buy a new home, the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Mannheimer says the company has partnered with local and state governments to fix it.
“These cities were once vibrant,” he said. “And these people can shake their hands in the air and say, ‘Hey, our community is great, we want you to come here.’ on the base”.
For Stringfield, laying the groundwork for his home was a lifelong success.
“And I still can’t believe it,” he said. “Sometimes I cry. But I’m so happy I finally have a place to call myself.”
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