Habitat for Humanity hands off keys to its first 3D-printed house

Habitat for Humanity dedicated its first 3D-printed house in December 2021.

When Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg (Va.) dedicates a new home to a family, it’s always a special occasion. But the house it dedicated Dec. 21, 2021, was extra special. The three-bedroom structure with two full baths was the first 3D-printed Habitat house in the nation.

The house was printed by Alquist 3D, which has invested more than four years of research in the technology. It partnered with the Danish 3D printer manufacturer COBOD and rural community planner Atlas Community Studios.

Zachary Mannheimer, founder and CEO of Alquist, described the projects as “four years of blood, sweat, and tears [to figure] out how to make this happen. Virginia is the leader in 3D printing home construction, hands down.”

The construction crew printed the house in 28 hours, reducing the standard construction schedule by at least four weeks. Alquist’s use of concrete for the walls saved an estimated 15% per square foot in building costs. Concrete maintains a house’s temperature better than conventional materials, saving on heating and cooling costs, and is more resistant to tornado and hurricane damage.

Alquist installs a 3D printer in the kitchen of every home it builds. The owner of the Virginia house will receive a downloadable computer file that will allow her to print knobs, light switch covers, and other replaceable parts with the printer.

The house was printed in 28 hours by Alquist.