3D Concrete PRINTING
With the advent of 3D printers, it was inevitable environmentally-focused architects, engineers, developers and builders would incorporate 3D concrete printing (3DCP) into home design and building. Industrial 3DCP printers extrude concrete and additives through nozzles, which gradually build up layers that form the walls, floors, patios, steps and other building components of a home. They can even create interior finishes like bathtubs and sinks!
From budget to luxury homes... 3DCP can build them all!
Printing an entire home can take as little as a week or less, depending upon size, versus several months and longer to construct a traditionally built home. Contractors provide the finish details and can place owners in their new homes within as little as a month from the start of construction.
While the technology is not yet widespread, a handful of world-class industry professionals have embraced 3DCP as the future of building. 3DCP can powerfully contribute to a reduction in energy consumption, by reducing the use of natural resources that would otherwise be consumed in the construction and operation of conventional homes.
3DCP homes boast noteworthy environmentally friendly attributes:
• Construction waste is the single biggest contributor to landfills worldwide. 3DCP significantly reduces waste.
• Recycled materials can be incorporated in the concrete mixture, further reducing the amount of materials that make their way to refuse sites.
• The insulative properties of 3DCP homes dramatically cut heating and cooling costs, as well as the need for insulation.
• Printed structures, instead of traditional “stick” builds, significantly reduce Co2 emissions and deforestation, as well as shipping costs and emissions from transporting these materials.
• 3DCP homes last much longer than traditional structures meaning the world can reduce the total number of buildings required throughout the next century.
• The strength of 3DCP homes is far greater than those built with traditional construction methods. They hold up to inclement weather, including hurricanes, more robustly than traditionally built homes, and are less likely to require repairs or replacement after large storms.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that compared to traditional printing, 3DCP can slash waste by as much as 90% and cut manufacturing energy usage in half. These massive time and energy savings can help alleviate housing shortages. As an example, 3DCP is being used to create an entirely new neighborhood in a low-income area in Mexico. Each house takes around 24 hours to complete and can house a small family. Incredible!
Net Positive Realty proudly collaborates with local 3DCP architects, engineers, developers and builders. It is expected 3DCP homes will begin to appear on the Big Island by the end of 2022. 3DCP companies can reduce costs and transit time related to materials from the mainland, while using local natural resources such as aggregate, resulting in less total energy expended during the construction phase. With unlimited 3DCP architectural design options available soon, we look forward to showing you why Net Positive Realty is embracing 3DCP for Hawai'i.
