3D printing is being utilized more frequently these days but the technology is not even close to reaching its full potential in the many industries that would benefit from it. One of the industries that can benefit from 3D printing immensely is the construction industry. Whether for profit or non-profit, constructing buildings via 3D printing has a lot of potential. ICON and New Story have teamed up to create the first permitted 3D-printed home in the US in Austin, Texas.
The 3D-printed home in Austin, Texas will serve as proof-of-concept for sustainable home-building that is safer, more affordable, and can be built in record time. The 3D printer being used is called the Vulcan and designed to work in conditions that are common in places such as rural El Salvador and Haiti where the power grid is unpredictable, clean water access is not always guaranteed, and getting technical assistance is sparse.
3D printing is ideal for construction of homes because you have a continuous thermal envelope, high thermal mass, and almost zero-waste. Not only that but you also have extreme speed and efficiency that’s ten times better!
The Vulcan 3D printer was the result of not just the innovators at ICON and New Story but a number of engineers, designers, environmentalists, and entrepreneurs from The University of Texas, Pump Studios, Yaskawa Electric, TreeHouse, Alchemy Builders, Andrew Logan Architecture, and Linestar Automation.
The Vulcan 3D printer can create a home up to 800 square feet which includes a living room, a washroom, and kitchen. It also features a wrap around porch and is designed to look good. In terms of looks, it’s a lot more appealing than a modular mobile home. The Vulcan 3D printer can create a home in as little as 12 to 24 hours. As the technology develops and improves, bigger and more creative homes can be built and at lower costs.
The current price is approximately $10,000 per home. That is much cheaper than a traditional home but the company is hoping to eventually bring the cost down to $4,000. For more details, feel free to visit the ICON website.
