3D-print a home in 24 hours, a game changer for global homelessness

3D-printing is a revolution, and this new design of a home is changing the game for global poverty and architecture. the construction process is simple, the structure is sturdy and the home can be executed for a fraction of the going rate, in a fraction of the time. while many other 3D-printed homes exist, none includes such clear advantages as this one for social-work. printed with cement by a vulcan printer, the shelter can be printed for $10,000 in as little time as 12 hours, but it is projected to soon cost only $4,000. this has the potential to supercharge the production of affordable housing in areas of dire poverty that can’t produces shelters fast enough.

all photos courtesy of icon and new story

the project is a shared undertaking, combining the efforts of  icon — an innovative building solutions firm — and non-profit, new story — which specializes in global housing issues. the first official prototype has just been constructed in austin, texas on march 12th, 2018. jason ballard, one of the c0-founders of icon, will inhabit it temporarily to work out the kinks, gauging an impression before homes are printed in various outreach programs of new story. 

an in-process shot of the construction from the plan up

printing will start in el salvador, then hopefully follow in belize and haiti. not only is this a big win in the battle against homelessness and poverty, it is also a noteworthy step in the world of architecture. while not the first 3D-printed house design, it once again marks the progressive trend toward the future of construction — a future where 3D-printing and other non-human building methods are becoming more viable.     

the vulcan printer laying the cement wall

the finished prototype in austin texas