Construction 3D printing firmAlquist 3Dhas announced plans to build 200 homes in the US state of Virginia.
在完成建筑的第一个业主3D printed home’ earlier this year, Alquist 3D has now revealed that it aims to carry out the largest construction project realized with the technology to-date, across-state in Pulaski and Roanoke. Given the region’s rapidly growing workforce, it’s expected to serve as an ideal test bed for showcasing 3D printing’s efficacy in creating accessible new homes.
“With migration patterns shifting due to pandemic, climate, and economic concerns, smaller communities like Pulaski have a huge need — and an amazing opportunity — to develop affordable housing for new residents,” said Zachary Mannheimer, Founder and CEO of Alquist 3D. “By 3D printing these homes, Alquist and our partners will be accelerating Pulaski and Roanoke’s ability to harness current trends and attract new workers to this wonderful community in southwestern Virginia.”
Striving for affordable accomodation
While there are now numerous construction 3D printing start-ups out there, Alquist 3D sets itself apart as one that seeks to specifically use the technology to solve the USA’s “affordable housing crisis.” Having poured over four years into additive manufacturing R&D alongside partnerAtlas Community Studios, the firm has come up with a plan to address this, by 3D printing large-but-affordable family homes.
Alquist 3D’s first of these builds was carried out in partnership withVirginia Tech Universitywith backing from theVirginia Housing authorityin the city of Richmond. This project was quickly followed by another late last year, conducted with non-profitHabitat for Humanity, which saw it create athree-bed 3D printed housewith 1,200 sq. feet of livable space, via aBOD2system supplied by thePERI Group.
当时,家里,据说其外观have been constructed in just 28 hours, was hailed by Mannheimer as a demonstration of both the speed and sustainability that 3D printing could help bring to the US housebuilding market.
“Concrete 3D printing reduces the amount of waste that is typically found on a jobsite, and our energy savings are significant,” Mannheimer said in January. “Still, concrete is far from the most environmentally friendly material, and we are working with partners to create a greener material in the next year. We also hope this new technology will be another way to build more affordable homes for families.”
“Habitat and Alquist share a similar mission: building housing that is affordable. We both believe in the American Dream of homeownership, and by partnering, we can realize this dream for more families.”
Meeting Virginia’s housing needs
Following the success of its initial builds in Richmond and Williamsburg, Alquist 3D has now unveiled plans to construct homes at scale for workers in Pulaski. With the likes ofVolvo,Blue Star Manufacturingand American Glove Innovations expanding to create 3,000 extra jobs in the town, the company says that “demand for housing is soaring” there.
Also citing anarticle based on a Brooking Institute report, which highlights Virginia’s New River Valley as one of the fastest-growing regions in the US when it comes to tech jobs, Alquist 3D has therefore emphasized the need to accommodate workers.
To address this demand, the firm is set to imminently begin work on its next batch of 3D printed homes. However, unlike its previous builds, which were carried out using aCOBODmachine, its latest are expected to be realized with the help ofBlack Buffalo 3D’s‘NEXCON,’ a gantry system capable of creating three-storey structures.
With a top speed that’s said to be limited by the USA’sOccupational Safety and Health Administrationto 9.8″ per second, and 12-hour continuous operation capabilities, the machine is able to build 1,000 sq. foot structures in under 20 hours.
To make loading materials as easy as possible, the NEXCON’s nozzle features an open hopper design and interchangeable tips, enabling users to manually inspect them and switch heads, depending on the application. The unit is also available with the firm’s proprietary ‘ink’ blends, which are said to offer better strength and durability than mortars, another aspect that could benefit Alquist 3D’s new builds.
Although Alquist 3D has yet to issue a timescale for when its 200 3D printed homes will be built, it has revealed that the project will kick-off this Friday, on April 29, 2022. The event is set to begin with a tech demo near the first two 3D-printed homes in Pulaski, across the road from a site on 205 Pierce Avenue, Pulaski, Virginia 24301.
3D printing’s home-building potential
Alquist 3D’s upcoming housing project is one of several now seeking to apply construction 3D printing technologies on a much wider scale than ever before. Unsurprisingly, given that it’s one of the early leaders in an albeit emerging market,ICONhas committed to building one of the largest of these, a100-strong community of 3D printed homes.
Apis Cor, which recently featured on 3D Printing Industry’s ‘Exploring 3D Printing’s Emerging Construction Industry’ webinar, also announced a slew of newaffordable 3D printing housing projectsearlier this month. Specifically, working withSMASHandEden Village Wilmington, the firm plans to erect low-cost housing in both South Florida and North Carolina.
Elsewhere, the likes ofSerendix Partnersare scaling house building in the other direction, by3D printing tiny futuristic spherical homes. In March 2022, the company was reportedly able to additive manufacture an inhabitable 107.6 sq. foot, 20,000-kilo structure in just 24 hours, which met Japanese earthquake and European insulation standards.
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Featured image shows Black Buffalo 3D’s NEXCON construction 3D printer. Image via Black Buffalo 3D.
