In December of last year, a woman and her son moved into the first owner-occupied 3D-printed home in the U.S. Habitat for Humanity built the structure in partnership with one of the many technology companies in the 3D construction field. Watching walls formed by a 3D printeris like watching someone with a very steady hand dispense soft serve in an organized pattern.
Hoping to be a front runner in this area of real estate innovation, John Day, a small desert town in Eastern Oregon, secured a $60k grant to construct trial 3D houses. Potential benefits include faster build times and smaller construction crews. Possible downsides are sustainability (currently using concrete), aesthetics, and possibly fewer jobs. Nevertheless, this technology is one to watch at home and around the globe!