Zero Waste Printed Homes

A lot of work, materials, and waste go into building new homes.  What if a home could be printed instead of built and create nearly zero waste?

A construction technologies company called ICON has teamed up with Fuseproject and New Story to build a village of 50 homes in Latin America.  The homes will be built for impoverished families in need.    

Each home is printed in place with a giant printing machine that used concrete to produce each home.  This method of construction produces almost no waste and each home can be printed in about 24 hours.  Countertops in both the bathroom and kitchen as well as options for shelving and seating can be incorporated into the design of the home.  Each home has an outdoor kitchen and room for growing food and raising chickens.  

Each home is just under 600 square feet and offers a safe shelter for people who otherwise would not have a safe place to stay.  According to New Story, there are currently 1 billion people in need of shelter and they expect there this number to grow to 3 billion by the year 2050.  The cost of each of these printed homes is 6,000 dollars.

My two cents:  What I think is so interesting about this idea is the simplicity of it.  It makes you question what you are fortunate enough to have and rethink need versus want.  

Want to read more about the printed village?  Click here.

3D printed homes concept.