Habitat for Humanity’s Upcoming 3D Printed Home for a Family

• Habitat for Humanity has partnered with Alquist, a 3D-printing home construction company.
• Together, the nonprofit and Alquist will construct a 3D-printed home in Williamsburg, Virginia.
• The home will later be sold to a family of three.

Habitat for Humanity has partnered with Alquist, a 3D-printing home construction company, to create a 3D-printed home in Williamsburg, Virginia in an attempt to address the US housing crisis.

This isn’t Habitat for Humanity’s first 3D-printing rodeo. In mid-June, the nonprofit announced it would be using Germany-based Peri’s COBOD “build on-demand printer” — or the BOD2 — to 3D print a home in Tempe, Arizona.

“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 at the time. “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.”

Now, Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg is bringing this 3D printing mission to the East Coast with the help of Alquist, which will begin constructing and printing the home’s walls later this month. Similar to Peri, Alquist is partners with COBOD, according to Alquist’s website.

Alquist and Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg

Like the Tempe, Arizona home, the goal of this upcoming Williamsburg, Virginia home is to address the housing crisis, specifically skyrocketing home prices and slow construction times.

Now, let’s take a peek around the upcoming 3D printed home

Alt Design

Like other 3D printing home companies, Alquist’s printing system uses concrete, creating a time and money-saving method of construction, according to the press release. The concrete also insulates the home while making it tornado and hurricane resistant.

When it’s complete, the 3D-printed home will stand at 1,200 square feet with its three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It’ll also be EarthCraft certified, which means the unit will be both green and energy efficient. 

Alt Design

Like other Habitat for Humanity homes, the project will be built by volunteers, sponsors, and people who want to purchase the final unit. 

In this case, a person named April and her family of three will purchase this 3D-printed home. From there, her zero-interest mortgage, taxes, and insurance will be about 30% of her income, which is already 80% lower than her community’s median income level, according to the press release. 

“We’ve seen firsthand how Habitat for Humanity’s housing program provides an enhanced quality of life for families,” Janet Green, Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg’s CEO, said in the press release. “We are so excited to be constructing a 3D home for this family and help them achieve their dream of homeownership.”