US Firm Azure to 3D Print 10 Homes Using Recycled Plastics

California-based 3D-printing construction start-up Azure Printed Homes (Azure) has been commissioned for a major new undertaking. Real estate company Reinhabit has tasked them with building eco-friendly homes across Southern California, made of recycled plastic. While this is not Azure’s first project, the scale is significant. These ten constructions will be placed in three locations across the region.

According to Reinhabit, the necessity of this project is in part due to its location. California is experiencing housing shortages and therefore companies like Reinhabit need to search for innovative ways to build in shorter time frames. They are particularly impressed by Azure’s ability to produce at speed using 3D printing; according to the latter, they can build structures ‘70% faster’ than traditional methods. From a business perspective, this is a significant advantage, with Co-Founders Rudy and Kim Dvorak referencing the ‘impressive ROI’ for 3D printed homes.

Photo Credits: Azure Printed Homes

Indeed, Azure’s figures speak for themselves. With pre-orders exceeding 16 million USD and plans to sell full-sized homes by 2024, Azure is a major innovator in housing. Their use of plastics destined for land-fill reduces waste and circumvents the potential any resourcing issues. The company is a member of the Green Business Bureau, a group which rewards environmental initiatives and promotes sustainability in business.

Sustainable housing for the future

The benefits of Azure 3D printed homes are not only to the developer but also to the consumer. The company plans to combine absolute airtightness and low-carbon technologies (such as heat pumps and solar energy) to eliminate home energy consumption bills. This is increasingly important in a world experiencing a climate crisis, and will only become more essential over time as resources diminish.  Furthermore, Azure will soon allow consumers to design units to exactly their wish using a 3D configurator. This allows the consumer to visualise the product as the initial step. They can design their exact wish and make corrections from the start. 

Azure co-founders Ross Maguire and Gene Eidelman. Photo credit: Azure Printed Homes

Of course, they are not the first company to create 3D construction in the US. Recently, the US has produced the first two story building using 3D printing, and many other projects are ongoing. It is a field which will test the capabilities of 3D printing and the open-mindedness of the consumer, as people begin to adjust to newer methods of production and of living. For the full details of the report, the press release is available here.

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*Cover photo credit: Azure Printed Homes