Many parts of the world share a major problem: there’s not enough housing to go around. The housing shortage has had a resounding effect on the economy as people continue to pay absorbent amounts for their homes, leading to less disposable income and more concentrated wealth. Thankfully, multiple teams of engineers are researching 3D printing as a way to help alleviate this shortage. Here’s everything you need to know about how 3D printing could help solve the housing shortage crisis.
Housing Shortage Stats
The housing shortage has hit new records across North America lately. Recent studies show that Canada and the US are +3.5M homes short of what’s needed to balance pricing. This shortage is predicted to widen as the main factors leading the housing crisis continue. Notably, the US West Coast, particularly California, leads the list.
Housing Shortage Cause
There are many factors leading to the current housing shortage. For one, delays and shortages caused by the pandemic have led to broken supply chains. These damaged chains drive inflation, which has resulted in higher prices across the board and led more architects to seek out innovative solutions, including additive manufacturing.
3D Printing Away the Housing Shortage
One area of construction that has shown promise is 3D printing. Several projects are underway that demonstrate how this technology could help reduce cost, improve accessibility, and expand humanity to new heights. The concept of 3D-printed houses has been around since these devices entered the market. However, it wasn’t until recent advancements in material science and 3D printing technology made it possible.
Source – Hassell and Imigo
Today, several methods are used to print 3D houses. The most common use is readily available concrete. The concrete is specially mixed to allow it to be dispensed from large nozzles. These units operate like miniature 3D printers but on a house-sized scale. They layer the concrete carefully to generate walls.
The advantage of these 3D-printed homes is that they use available and durable concrete. Now, some systems print using specific patterns that allow ventilation or insulation to be added, lowering construction costs further and opening the door for large-scale adoption.
Multi-Floor 3D Printed Properties
Project Milestone is unique among the concrete 3D building options for many reasons. For one, it’s the first to successfully create a reliable and easy-to-utilize multi-floor approach to 3D printing buildings. Project Milestone engineers developed a process in which a cement-like mixture gets extruded from a printer nozzle until it builds up a predetermined shape.
These shapes are printed on the building site and assembled by workers. This approach lowers setup costs, as the printing facility can efficiently provide prints to a large region. The current Project Milestone building plans include a 3-floor 1,370 sq ft option and a 2-floor 1230 sq ft choice.
Earth Printing Helps Housing Shortage
Earthprining is another sector of the 3D-printed homes market worth learning about. This method puts a new twist on man’s oldest building method: using dirt. Your prehistoric ancestors built with this material, and impressively, some of their works are still partially intact today.
In 2018, engineers decided to combine 3D printing with soil ramming. This method of making building material compacts dirt into bricks that can be used across a wide variety of construction projects. By 2021, TECLA had completed its first 3D-printed soil home in Ravenna, Italy. The project rammed dirt to make walls that featured integrated supports.
Earth Printing Evolves
Recent developments in the Earth 3D printing sector include the use of intricate shapes and designs that enable ventilation and light to enter buildings. The latest method of earth printing involves inserting a wire mesh between the layers when compacting, providing interconnected support. This method integrates a 30% clay mix, which acts as a natural bonding agent when compacted and dried.
Hope Village
Hope Village is a prime example of how 3D-printed homes can improve lives for all. The project, located in Tanzania, seeks to house children in need using soil-based construction methods. According to the project’s developers, the site will be home to 480 girls aged 3 to 18.
50 buildings
Hope Village is more than just a housing facility. It will also offer schooling, skills training, recreational, and farming facilities as part of the team’s strategies to help these ladies succeed. Even childcare is available among the +50 buildings slated for printing. Notably, the team will integrate portions of the TECLA 3D printing project including the Crane WASP printing System.
Crane WASP
The Crane WASP (World’s Advanced Saving Project) is a massive 3D printer that leverages rigging to gain mobility over larger areas, making it ideal for building construction. Notably, WASP gets its name because it borrows from the mason wasp, which is famous for building using mud.
The WASP printer is sometimes referred to as the infinity 3D printer due to its ability to create homes for a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. Already, WASP has helped build homes in Columbia, which has one of the worst housing crises in South America. In The future, systems like WASP could become common around the world.
Large Community Center
At the center of Hope Village will stand a 3D-printed building that will showcase the latest developments in technology. The community center will serve multiple roles in the community including acting as a school during the day and cafeteria. It will also provide a safe location for community events.
Interestingly, the walls of Hope Village are not load-bearing. As such, the roof will connect to timber supports, all of which will be locally sourced. Lastly, a sheet metal layer will help strengthen protection against rain and the sun. The community center is set to begin construction in early 2025.
Benefits of 3D Printed Construction to Help Housing Shortage
There are many reasons why there is a push to bring 3D-printed homes to the market. These units can be made at much lower rates and can utilize local building materials. The WASP 3D printer can create a home for as little as $1000. Additionally, it can produce this dwelling fast and with durability comparable to concrete structures.
More Accessible
Accessibility is another reason 3D housing projects will see significant growth moving forward. It’s easier for a builder to introduce a 3D printer that leverages local resources to create communities versus importing building materials, workers, and more. This strategy will enable communities to improve and expand to meet the needs of their populations.
Cheaper Homes Help Lower the Housing Crisis
It’s far less expensive to 3D print homes versus building using the current methods. Anytime you automate a process you eliminate most of the overhead. 3D-printed homes don’t require teams of construction experts. As such, they are much cheaper to build. Additionally, The printer doesn’t need to take lunch breaks or sleep, adding to the buildings that can be made per month.
Future Support to Reduce Housing Shortage
One of the biggest advantages of using 3D printers to expand communities is the ability to expand communities. Imagine your neighborhood having a 3D printer that could produce new buildings whenever your community required it. The goal of many of these housing projects is to teach locals how to use the printer so the community can construct buildings in the future and improve the lives of everyone.
Intricate Designs
Another major benefit that 3D printers offer to the building sector is the ability to create intricate designs and expand on the architecture used in buildings today. There are new wall designs that save you on heating and cooling costs. Porous walls for hot environments are prime examples of how building for the location adds to the value of a property.
Future of 3D Printed Homes
The future of 3D printing in the construction sector is bright. Already, 3D printing options are the ideal solution to long-standing problems within the construction industry. Also, 3D printing may be useful for printing houses in other environments outside Earth. 3D printing in outer space is no easy task. The majority of 3D printers rely on gravity to allow their materials to settle into place. Eliminating gravity means a new method of 3D printing needs to be used to ensure that the materials settle properly and the device can operate as intended.
Notably, NASA has had its eye on using 3D printers to assist astronauts in colonizing other planets and the moon. In 2019, NASA put on a 3D printing habitat challenge. In 2022, it awarded Austin-based construction company ICON with a $57.2M contract to expand on their 3D printed habitats.
In October 2022, Icon showcased its efforts at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Their demonstration included a 3D-printed habitat designed to be used on Mars. It also showcased some lunar 3D printing technologies that could one day assist in colonizing Earth’s neighbor.
A 3D Printing Company Making Waves in the Market
The 3D printing sector is a fast-growing market that continues to see expansion. These devices are more popular than ever and have expanded in both their capabilities and designs. Additionally, the supporting software and hardware firms have seen revenue growth.
AutoDesk
Autodesk (ADSK +1.5%) is a software provider that offers solutions to a wide range of industries. The company’s modeling software is in use across the architectural and engineering markets. It has played a vital role in multiple construction projects as well. Autodesk is also used in the entertainment and educational sectors, adding to its overall positive reputation.
Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK +1.5%)
Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK +1.5%)
Autodesk entered the market in 1982 and was founded by a group of programmers led by John Walker. It first gained notoriety thanks to the one release of the AutoCAD software. This was the first CAD software to run on a PC and remained the industry standard for decades.
ADSK stock has seen some fallback due to reports of insider trading and an overall fall in tech stock prices over the last few weeks. However, the firm is seen by many analysts as a strong “hold” as its positioning and pivot towards AI-powered systems could signal future growth potential.
Roadblocks to the Adoption of 3D Printing Construction Methods
There are still some roadblocks to the large-scale adoption of 3D-printed construction methods. For one, there isn’t any long-term data on their durability. People know that impacted earth or concrete can last a long time, but how these materials are formed together makes a crucial difference in their durability. Until long-term data supports the ruggedness of these homes, it will be difficult to get investors on board.
Concerns about Regulation
Another concern expressed by some is that it will be nearly impossible to keep up with the licensing and safety measures in place today. They argue that a complete overhaul of the safety requirements would be needed to accommodate the new construction method. As such, this process could result in further delays in the use of these tools in the construction sector.
The Housing Shortage Could be Printed Away
When you look at the innovative strategies that some architects have turned to recently, it is easy to envision a future where 3D printers help alleviate housing shortages when needed. These devices are only going to get better as material sciences improve, and in the coming years, it’s very likely your home will be printed rather than built.
Learn about other cool additive manufacturing projects today.
