Icon, a robotics company has teamed up with New Story, a non-profit charity to produce the world’s first 3D-printed home (fully inhabitable and up to code) in just under 24 hours. Backed by Y Combinator, New Story works to provide affordable housing options to people living in developing countries.
The first house printed was unveiled in Austin, Texas at South By Southwest (SXSW). At least 1 billion people in the world live without shelter. Within the next several months, both organizations plan to print and establish homes for people living in Haiti and El Salvador.
The 800-sq-foot house costs $10,000 and is printed using Icon’s Vulcan printer. A special type of concrete hardens as it’s being printed by the machine, creating the home’s walls in 100 one-inch thick strands. The roof, electric wiring, windows, and basic plumbing are installed separately by New Story employees (all on the same day).
The goal for both Icon and New Story is to reduce the cost of the house to $4,000. Each home includes a bathroom, living room, and two rooms.
Icon eventually hopes to commercialize the technology in the U.S. and provide 3D-printed housing options for those living in major cities with affordable housing shortages.