3D Printed Homes for Habitat for Humanity

State-of-the-art 3D printing technology is presenting a strong, fast and cost-effective method of construction. The construction is accomplished by a mobile robot that extrudes concrete in a pattern to build walls. The technology was developed to transform economically distressed and under-served communities, providing them with needed infrastructure.

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, Alquist 3D and Habitat for Humanity Peninsula & Greater Williamsburg, officially handed over the keys to two 3D printed homes located in the 600 block of 41st Street in Newport News, Virginia. Both homes are approximately 1,200 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Alquist 3D and Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg earned national attention after dedicating the first-ever 3D printed Habitat home in the nation in December 2021 to a Williamsburg family. Through its partnership with Alquist 3D, Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg has built more 3D printed homes than any other Habitat affiliate in the nation. The homes were created using printers from Black Buffalo 3D.

"While most 3D printing endeavors focus on urban residential areas and commercial buildings, many of the regions facing the biggest housing challenges exist in smaller communities. As migration patterns shift due to climate and economic concerns, smaller communities face a severe housing shortage that must be addressed if they are to attract and retain a workforce. We want to build homes for people who live outside of the places where most funding for housing programs is spent," said Zachary Mannheimer, Founder and Chairman of Alquist. "We see these homes and this partnership with Habitat for Humanity as a major milestone for the American 3D market, and look forward to collaborating with more communities in 2024 and beyond."

The United States is experiencing a severe shortage of housing stock, spawning bidding wars that have pushed entire populations out of the housing market. In fact, for every $1,000 increase in the price of a home, 153,967 families are priced out (National Association of Home Builders).

However, lumber shortages abound, and prices have skyrocketed more than 300% since April 2020 (NAHB). This increases the price of an average single-family home by almost $36,000. That puts these new houses out of the purchasing range of more than 5.5 million families.

Alquist 3D printing construction technology can be used to create home designs both traditional and futuristic, while also lowering the cost of housing.

Check out this video of 3D printing construction technology from Virginia Tech: