Can 3D-Printing Be A Revolution In Public Housing?

3D-printing has revolutionised various industries, ranging from automobiles to human implants, and from home décor to the latest, that is, housing. A 3D-printed house is now a reality. After 3D-printed cars, offices, facades and a bridge, it is time to say hello to the world’s first 3D-printed house. What is special about this house is that it is a part of a public housing project that will provide homes to families qualifying for social assistance.

There are more such examples that show 3D-printing can be revolutionary for public housing projects. Here’s how:

Quick to make: The 1,000-sqft 3D-printed house in France, conceptualised and being built by the researchers and academics at the University of Nantes, was constructed in 18 days. Imagine this when it comes to India’s ambitious plans of providing a roof to all by 2022. Over 12 million homes are to be constructed. What if a technology like this could be used, these homes will be constructed within the deadline set.

Another example is a technology unveiled by an Austin-based startup. According to the startup, ICON, by using low-cost 3D printing, homes with a size of 650 sqft could be constructed within 12 to 24 hours using cement. The company plans to construct over 100 community homes for the residents of El Salvador.

Minimal waste and labour cost: In a 3D-printed house, human intervention is minimal. The French house has been printed by a 3D-printing robot, called  BatiPrint3D. With machine intervention, waste and labour costs are drastically reduced. A house, which otherwise requires four to five labour and many labour hours can be constructed in a matter of days and even hours. Moreover, with a machine performing a task, the chances of wastage reduce to negligible. This can be a saviour for many public housing projects that operate on certain funds. These funds rather than being put on labour or wastage could be used to provide better amenities for the dwellers.

New-age amenities: Amenities are equally important for dwellers. To provide a respectable living standard, the house must be well-equipped. For instance, in case of the French 3D-printed home it has been designed using a special polymer material which can keep the building insulated effectively for many years together. The house is equipped with sensors that monitor air quality, humidity and temperature. While this provides a good standard of living to the dwellers, it ensures that they save energy cost, too.