3-D printing can create more affordable housing at a quicker pace.
As the need for affordable housing becomes even more pressing, builders are turning to alternative housing solutions to fast track building times and lower costs. This is the case for the first 3-D printed home being constructed in Columbus, Ohio, from local developer and general contractor Mayo Makinde. Much like other areas of the U.S., median home sales prices in Ohio have increased by nearly 50%, according to The Cool Down. 3-D printing could help with that. While the printer itself costs approximately $1 million, the materials for the approximately 850-square-foot home will cost just $30,000.
In Wapakoneta, about 90 miles northwest of Columbus, builders in 2024 completed the state's first 3D-printed home. Including materials and labor costs, the home was constructed for about 20% less per square foot than a traditionally built home.
This new method of 3D printing homes has gained popularity in recent years. Last year, Los Angeles welcomed its first 3D-printed "net-zero" home. In the Netherlands, "habitable boulders" are showing some of the limits that can be pushed with 3D-printed homes.Read more
