Homelessness is a global issue on the rise with a new estimate of 1.2 billion people worldwide lacking access to safe and secure housing at any given time. However, a construction-technology startup is proposing to build 3D-printed homes in 24 hours and for under $4,000, a new and possible solution to homelessness.
CEO of Fuseproject, designer Yves Behar has revealed plans to build 3D-printed houses for an impoverished farming community in Latin America. Fuseproject, has teamed up with non-profit organisation, New Story, to bring the project to life.
Source: Fuseproject
On the Fuseproject website, their mission is laid out:
“It is our belief that designers, builders and technology innovators have the potential to bring unprecedented speed and scale to housing design that can elevate the lives of some of the most impoverished populations around the globe. 3D printing, in particular, offers a new and powerful tool for realizing this potential and driving this mission forward.”
The 55-square-metre houses will be printed with portable, autonomous printers which use a robotic gantry system to pipe concrete over the designated print area. Their inbuilt industrial control software follows the print instruction and works through both the day and night without the need for extensive labour.
The house will be one part of a greater 120-square-metre property that includes a covered outdoor kitchen and dining room, and gardens free for resident use.
The design of the houses was also made with the difficult climate in mind. The houses feature a large curved roof that extends beyond the front and the back of the house to act as a buffer against the heavy rainfall. Perforated concrete blocks will also run along the top of the walls to allow for a natural ventilation system.
The companies plan to work collaboratively into the future towards a goal of having built an entire community of the 3D homes by 2020.
“We feel it’s our responsibility to challenge traditional methods. Linear methods will never reach the billion-plus people who need safe homes,” says Brett Hagler, CEO of New Story.
“Challenging our assumptions, iterating based on data, and taking calculated risks on innovative ideas will allow us to reach more families with the best possible solutions, exponentially faster.”
Technology company ICON has provided portable, autonomous printers to create the houses. This technology produces nearly no waste.
The printer uses a robotic gantry system that pipes concrete (or as they call it ‘ICON Lavacrete’) over the print area. Industrial control autonomously follows the print instructions and works without the need for extensive labor. ICON says the entire setup is the first digital-native approach to building construction.
The printer can also function in low-light conditions thanks to onboard LED lighting. Thus, the printer can be utilized even after hours — providing even further evidence that this form of construction offers incredible value for the construction company.
Works Cited
“Yves Béhar Teams with Tech-Infused Charity for World's First 3D Printed Community.” Archinect, archinect.com/news/article/150135707/yves-b-har-teams-with-tech-infused-charity-for-world-s-first-3d-printed-community.
“Fuseproject.” Fuseproject, fuseproject.com/.
