This summer, a 3D-construction company based in Iowa City will build its first set printed homes in Muscatine.
Des Moines Register reports that Alquist 3D built the first 3D printed home for an owner in the U.S.A. in 2021. This was done in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Peninsula & Greater Williamsburg, in Virginia.
Muscatine Homes will be built at Arbor Commons, a new subdivision in eastern Iowa with 62 lots near Discovery Park.
Alquist 3D is a company founded in late 2020 that uses 3D-printed concrete to build homes layer by layer. They do away with framing and siding as well as drywall.
The result is that 3D-printed homes become more affordable because traditional materials such as lumber aren’t needed. Affordability is part of the company’s mission, aiming to lower the cost of housing and infrastructure through 3D-printing in under-served communities.
“Our goal at Alquist 3D is to help build community, and this project defines this process,” said Zachary Mannheimer, founder and CEO of Alquist 3D, in a press release. “City leaders in Muscatine have come together to bring thefuture of construction to Iowa. We are grateful for our partnerships with the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine and general contractor Hagerty Earthworks to bring this project to fruition.”
Alquist 3D will benefit from new partnerships to support its work in Muscatine
Muscatine Community College has recently launched a new 8-week program that focuses on 3D-construction-printing. Curriculum is in partnership with Iowa City based company, and students who complete the program are prepared to enter 3D construction printing workforce.
According to a release, Alquist 3D is working with the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine as well as general contractor Hagerty Earthworks on the construction of the homes at Arbor Commons.
It will use a new “smaller” and “more nimble” printer from RIC Technology, a robotic construction company based in California.
A new partnership with Luyten 3D in Australia, a company that specializes in printing technologies, will allow these homes to also use the concrete mix Ultimatecrete. Luyten 3D is the first company to 3D-print a code-compliant house in Australia, according to the company’s website.
Paris Barraza writes about entertainment, lifestyle, and art for the Iowa City Press Citizen. Contact her at [email protected] Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza. Follow her on twitter @ParisBarraza.