Habitat for Humanity is building a 3D-printed home in Arizona to help solve the affordable housing crisis. See how it's being constructed.

Brittany ChangJun 13, 2021, 19:06 IST

The site of the 3D-printed home.Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity in Central Arizona is building a 3D-printed home in Tempe, Arizona.
The home will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Prefabricated and 3D-printed homes are increasingly being seen as solutions to our housing crisis.

A massive housing crisis and shortage has been tearing across the US.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

In an effort to help alleviate this issue, Habitat for Humanity in Central Arizona is now building a 3D-printed home in Tempe, Arizona ...

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

... designed in partnership with luxury architecture firm Candelaria Design.

Documents from the City of Tempe for the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

According to Habitat for Humanity, 3D printing could be an economical way to address said crisis.

A person and machinery on the site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

"When we consider the housing issues facing Arizona, the need for affordable homeownership solutions becomes clear," Jason Barlow, president and CEO of Habitat Central Arizona, said in the press release.

People and machinery on the site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

"When we consider the housing issues facing Arizona, the need for affordable homeownership solutions becomes clear," Jason Barlow, president and CEO of Habitat Central Arizona, said in the press release.

"If we can deliver decent, affordable, more energy-efficient homes at less cost, in less time and with less waste, we think that could be a real game-changer," Barlow continued.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

"If we can deliver decent, affordable, more energy-efficient homes at less cost, in less time and with less waste, we think that could be a real game-changer," Barlow continued.

Homebuilding methods like 3D printing or prefabrication are increasingly being considered as feasible alternatives to "traditional" construction.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

Using a 3D printer to create homes is often seen as a more efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional construction methods.

People and machinery on the site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

"In addition to affordable homes, the market increasingly demands innovative housing concepts," Yasin Torunoglu, the housing and spatial development alderman at the municipality of Eindhoven, said in regards to a different 3D-printed home in the Netherlands.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

"In addition to affordable homes, the market increasingly demands innovative housing concepts," Yasin Torunoglu, the housing and spatial development alderman at the municipality of Eindhoven, said in regards to a different 3D-printed home in the Netherlands.

The home in Tempe is being built using both a 3D printer and "traditional" construction techniques.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

Between 70 to 80% of the home will be printed, including the walls.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

The team is relying on a printer from Germany-based Peri: the "build on-demand printer," or the BOD2.

Machinery on the site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

Peri is a European formwork and scaffolding maker, and its 3D printer has also been used to print another home and a three-floor apartment building in Germany.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

The printer was sent to the US in March and moved to Arizona in April. It officially began its printing work in Tempe one month later.

A person and machinery on the site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

Peri describes the BOD2 as a "gantry printer."

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

The printing mechanism can move left, right, forward, backward, up, and down …

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

… which allows the printer head to move anywhere within the construction space.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

The printer can also be used while workers are completing other on-site construction projects, creating a human and machine team that works in harmony.

People and machinery on the site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

The home is still in progress, but Habitat for Humanity projects the project will be ready in August or September.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

By October, the home could be occupied by "income-qualified homeowners," according to the team.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

In total, the home will sit at 2,433 square feet, but its living space will fall a bit shorter at 1,738 square feet.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

All of this space will then accommodate three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

“Beyond our city borders, this project can serve as a model for other communities as we all work to meet the critical needs of families who truly are the faces of this growing housing affordability crisis,” Corey Woods, the mayor of Tempe, said in the press release.

The site of the 3D-printed home. Habitat for Humanity

“Beyond our city borders, this project can serve as a model for other communities as we all work to meet the critical needs of families who truly are the faces of this growing housing affordability crisis,” Corey Woods, the mayor of Tempe, said in the press release.

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Habitat for Humanity is building a 3D-printed home in Arizona to help solve the affordable housing crisis. See how it's being constructed.

A massive housing crisis and shortage has been tearing across the US.

In an effort to help alleviate this issue, Habitat for Humanity in Central Arizona is now building a 3D-printed home in Tempe, Arizona ...

... designed in partnership with luxury architecture firm Candelaria Design.

According to Habitat for Humanity, 3D printing could be an economical way to address said crisis.

"When we consider the housing issues facing Arizona, the need for affordable homeownership solutions becomes clear," Jason Barlow, president and CEO of Habitat Central Arizona, said in the press release.

"If we can deliver decent, affordable, more energy-efficient homes at less cost, in less time and with less waste, we think that could be a real game-changer," Barlow continued.

Homebuilding methods like 3D printing or prefabrication are increasingly being considered as feasible alternatives to "traditional" construction.

Using a 3D printer to create homes is often seen as a more efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional construction methods.

"In addition to affordable homes, the market increasingly demands innovative housing concepts," Yasin Torunoglu, the housing and spatial development alderman at the municipality of Eindhoven, said in regards to a different 3D-printed home in the Netherlands.

The home in Tempe is being built using both a 3D printer and "traditional" construction techniques.

Between 70 to 80% of the home will be printed, including the walls.

The team is relying on a printer from Germany-based Peri: the "build on-demand printer," or the BOD2.

Peri is a European formwork and scaffolding maker, and its 3D printer has also been used to print another home and a three-floor apartment building in Germany.

The printer was sent to the US in March and moved to Arizona in April. It officially began its printing work in Tempe one month later.

Peri describes the BOD2 as a "gantry printer."

The printing mechanism can move left, right, forward, backward, up, and down …

… which allows the printer head to move anywhere within the construction space.

The printer can also be used while workers are completing other on-site construction projects, creating a human and machine team that works in harmony.

The home is still in progress, but Habitat for Humanity projects the project will be ready in August or September.

By October, the home could be occupied by "income-qualified homeowners," according to the team.

In total, the home will sit at 2,433 square feet, but its living space will fall a bit shorter at 1,738 square feet.

All of this space will then accommodate three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

“Beyond our city borders, this project can serve as a model for other communities as we all work to meet the critical needs of families who truly are the faces of this growing housing affordability crisis,” Corey Woods, the mayor of Tempe, said in the press release.