Habitat for Humanity’s 2nd 3D printed home is underway

The small plastic models were placed on the table next to the 3D Printer, while the large machine was trundled along in Newport News’ Jefferson neighborhood.

The machine used a different cement mix to build the walls than the miniature. It was 1,200 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Corrine Mann, 32 years old, excitedly walked around her home’s construction site and spoke to onlookers, Habitat for Humanity Peninsula staff, Greater Williamsburg staff, and Alquist 3D builders.

“I think it’s going to be the future,” said Mann, a lab technician and single mother with an 11-year-old daughter named Aubrey.

3D printing a home does not differ from a normal build for a house, according to Zachary Mannheimer (founder and CEO of Alquist 3D).

“Really the only difference between a 3D printed home and a regular home is the walls are made out of concrete instead of wood — that’s it,” he said.

Mannheimer explained that there are many benefits to this method, including lower prices for materials and labor required to build walls for your home. 3D printing walls could be done in 20-25 hours. Additionally, the homes can withstand most major storms, don’t burn and use 50% less energy than traditional stick-build homes, he said.

“But other than the walls, everything’s the same,” Mannheimer said.

Trade work such as plumbing or HVAC is still needed. Mannheimer stated that 3D printing could bring more workers into the construction industry due to the use of large machines and the advanced nature the technology throughout the process.

Mannheimer stated that the foundation must be poured as usual. Then, the printer will arrive at the site to print the home. The raw material is then mixed with water, then pumped through the hose to the machine’s nozzle. This prints the home according to a design that has been programmed into the machine.

Technically, the machine could be made from any concrete. Mannheimer explained that they use a specialized mixture for their home printer that can withstand 10,000 PSI. This is nearly four times stronger than traditional concrete.

Although the mix is more affordable than lumber, it’s possible to reduce the cost of the components by sourcing them locally, he said.

“Something we’re looking at heavily here is using fly coal ash from Appalachia in the mix, which solves two problems,” Mannheimer said. “One, it’s low-cost and we can use it in the mix. And two, there’s a big problem with coal ash in Appalachia; there’s millions of pounds just sitting there, and nobody knows what to do with it. So this would help with an environmental concern as well.”

Janet Green, executive director of the Habitat chapter, said this is the second 3D printed home Habitat for Humanity is buying, and next to Mann’s house, another home will be 3D printed by Alquist with help from Habitat staff.

“Any means that we can continue building more affordable housing is so critical,” Green said. “And if we can do it faster, cheaper, safer, why wouldn’t we try? So I like to say it’s another tool in our toolbox for affordable housing.”

Mann, who grew-up in Hampton, said she’s spoken with neighbors and friends about how expensive the area has become over the years. She was also shocked to see the prices when she was looking to move to Newport News.

“It’s crazy to hear some stories,” she said.

For one place, she’d need to raise her credit score and make more money to live there. So, she began working on finances as she applied to Habitat for Humanity and was accepted for the group’s usual 30-year, no interest loan to buy the 3D printed home.

Green claimed that 3D printed homes can be built for up to 15% less.

“If we can build these houses faster and have more people have the stability of affordable housing, that’s a win-win for our community,” Green said.

Additionally, the group saves time on construction.

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“We’re hoping to shave off at least six weeks with the 3D house,” Green said. “Because it’s still a new technology, we’re going slower than we normally would to make sure that everything is done consistently.”

Last year, the group printed its very first 3D home in the summer. By December, a family had moved into the Habitat for Humanity 3D printed home located in James City County.

Mann said she enjoyed watching the home come together in real time as the symphony of machinery made its rounds and the home’s walls crept up toward the sun.

When people are puzzled that she will be living in a 3D printed house, Mann tells them to look it up on the internet and learn more — just like she did. Mann hopes that they are as amazed as she was.

“I feel really good about it,” she said. “And I’m glad I made this decision.”