Habitat for Humanity Builds Its First 3D-Printed Home in Nation

TEMPE, AZ – Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona (Habitat) is building its first 3D-printed home in Tempe, seeking to transform affordable housing opportunities.

The custom, single-story home, currently under construction on a lot owned by the City of Tempe, combines 3D printing and traditional construction to create an innovative model for the future: a scalable, cost-effective homeownership solution to address the affordable housing crisis facing communities nationwide.

“This is really a moonshot opportunity for Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona,” said Jason Barlow, president and CEO of Habitat Central Arizona. “When we consider the housing issues facing Arizona, the need for affordable homeownership solutions becomes clear. 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. Just think of the implications.”

The new 3D-printed home project is a single-family home with three bedrooms, and two baths. The livable space is 1,738 square feet, and the total project is 2,433 square feet. 70 - 80% of the home is 3D printed, including all internal and external walls. The remainder of the house is a traditional build.

The home is expected to be completed in August / September. Potential income-qualified homeowners are currently being identified through Habitat Central Arizona’s standard application process. The home could be occupied as early as October 2021.

Barlow praised project partners.

“This kind of innovation does not happen without amazing partners and we are extremely grateful to all of them,” Barlow said. “Bringing people together is central to our mission and in this case, we’re bringing together new partners in the form of engineers, architects, developers and others looking for a breakthrough in the affordable housing space.”

Habitat Central Arizona and the City of Tempe have been partners for more than 30 years. Current work includes building the 3D-printed home, at 677 W. 19th St., and building 15 traditional homes on four city lots.

“Tempe is known for innovation and this ground-breaking project aligns perfectly with our goal to identify new solutions that accelerate the growth of affordable and workforce housing in our city,” said Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. “Working with valued partners, we want to ensure that everyone who wants to live in Tempe can do so. Beyond our city borders, this project can serve as a model for other communities as we all work to meet the critical needs of families who truly are the faces of this growing housing affordability crisis.”

Germany-based PERI shipped its 3D printer to the U.S. in March. It was then transported to Arizona in April and printing began in Tempe in May.

"Our PERI 3D construction printing team is incredibly proud to print this home in Tempe for Habitat for Humanity,” said Thomas Imbacher, managing director innovation and marketing of the PERI Group. “Since 2016, PERI has been working intensively on the development of 3D construction printing solutions for residential construction. In 2020, PERI realized the first ever 3D-printed house in Germany with a BOD2 printer, followed shortly afterwards by the largest 3D-printed apartment building in Europe to date. The 3D-printing project in Tempe is now continuing this success story in the USA.”

How it works

PERI’s BOD2 printer is a gantry printer and the only second-generation construction printer on the market. The gantry system is configured from multiple 2.5m modules in length, width and height.

The BOD2 works in three dimensions: The print head moves right and left along the X- axis, the X-axis moves forward and backward along the Y-axis, and the entire XY group moves up and down along the Z-columns. Thanks to this gantry principle, the printer can move to any position within the structure, pulling up both inner and outer walls layer by layer. Watch a video of the printing process here.

The 3D construction printer is certified to allow workers to remain in the print area during the printing process. This means manual work, such as laying empty conduits and connections, can be easily integrated into the printing process. A control unit allows workers to operate the BOD2 either via a web interface or touch screen.

Once the walls of a building are printed, the ceilings can be integrated. These are then built in the traditional way.

In addition to the Co-Presenting Sponsors, Cox and Lowe’s, many partners came together to make this happen including: Habitat for Humanity International, City of Tempe, PERI, 3D Construction, Candelaria Design, and The Ramsey Social Justice Foundation.

Learn more: habitatcaz.org/3D

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About Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona

Since 1985, with the help of generous donors and volunteers, Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona has been privileged to build more than 1,170 homes, affect more than 2,500 repairs and improve a place called home for more than 3,800 Arizona families. Learn more: habitatcaz.org or find us on Twitter @habitatcaz.

About the City of Tempe

Tempe makes waves as a technology and business magnet, an inclusive, caring community and a hub for recreation and adventure. The City is committed to sustainable growth and development and maintaining a diverse mix of housing opportunities, including affordable, workforce and market rate, for all who want to call Tempe home. Learn more: tempe.gov or find us on Twitter @Tempegov, Instagram @tempegov, Facebook @Cityoftempe.

About PERI

With sales of € 1,503 million in 2020, PERI is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of formwork and scaffold systems in the world. The family-owned company, with its headquarters in Weissenhorn (Germany), a workforce of 9,400 employees, more than 60 subsidiaries and well over 160 warehouse locations, provides its clients with innovative system equipment and comprehensive services relating to all aspects of formwork and scaffolding technology. Learn more at https://www.peri-usa.com/.

About 3D Construction

The mission of 3D Construction is to build architecturally inspiring homes more quickly, that are of a higher quality, more efficient and cost less than current construction methods allow. Partnering with a team of very talented architects, engineers and tradesmen, we build affordable and workforce housing that helps alleviate the housing crisis in the United States. While initially focusing on affordable and workforce housing, this technology is applied to homes and multifamily residences at any price point. Learn more: 3dconstructionusa.com.

About Candelaria Design

Candelaria Design is a premier, high-end residential architecture firm founded in 1999 by Architect Mark Candelaria and led by him and his three partners Vivian Ayala, Meredith Thomson, and Evelyn Jung. The award-winning firm is the #1 residential architecture firm in the valley, and their 22-year portfolio includes various styles of remodels and custom homes that are timeless and inspiring. Candelaria Design is a TEAM of dedicated architects, designers and support staff all sharing the same values of personal customer service, quality design, and building friendships along the way. Learn more: candelariadesign.com.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states. In metro Phoenix, we serve approximately 2.5 million product subscribers, and in Southern Arizona, approximately 400,000 product subscribers, with residential and business digital television, 1G high speed Internet, security systems and digital telephone service over its own nationwide IP network.  We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that makes each one unique.  The 3,100 Arizona employees of Cox are proud to have topped numerous J.D. Power and Associates’ studies of customer satisfaction and for many years top “Ranking Arizona-Best of Arizona Business” list.  Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.

About Lowe’s

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 20 million customers a week in the United States and Canada. With fiscal year 2020 sales of nearly $90 billion, Lowe's and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 300,000 associates. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts. For more information, visit Lowes.com.