Here's the world's first 3D-printed net-zero home, producing as much energy as it consumes
The Quatro building, from Dezeen
From Dezeen:
Mighty Buildings has delivered what it claims is the world's first 3D-printed net-zero home as part of a 40-unit community in Desert Hot Springs that explores environmental and economic development strategies.
The Oakland-based technology company completed the 1,171-square-foot (159-square metre) home in September 2022.
Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects (EYRC) designed the two-bedroom, two-bath home, known as the Quatro, which the team says will produce as much energy as it consumes using Mighty Buildings' flexible, panelized kit of parts.
"We are excited to be the first company in the world to complete what we believe to be the sustainable housing standard of the future," said Mighty Buildings CEO Slava Solonitsyn.
"As a result, housing developers will no longer have to choose between profitability, quality, design and protecting the planet," he continued.
The exterior composite stone wall panels were 3D printed in a factory in Oakland. The proprietary material – known as Light Stone – is a concrete alternative with four times more tensile and flexural strength, 30 per cent less weight and less carbon dioxide, according to Mighty Buildings.
….According to the company, Mighty Buildings has achieved net-zero design in three ways: efficient materials, integrated technologies and additional components.
The design also accommodates solar technology and high-performance windows.
Additionally, the robotic coating application increases resistance to hurricane winds, high water, fire, mould, insects and extreme temperatures.
"Our manufacturing technology features a high-degree of automation and advanced robotics, enabling us to reduce the completion time by more than half," Mighty Buildings said.
3D printing of the Mighty Buildings home
"In this way, the entire home can be constructed within 4-5 months, significantly accelerating onsite completion and resulting in happier home buyers, more productive onsite workers and higher returns for developers."
When complete, each of the 20 homes in the community will feature an additional accessory dwelling unit – for a total of 40 3D-printing volumes – as well as a swimming pool, pergola, hot tub and fire pit.
The remainder of the panels will be printed in Mighty Buildings' facility in Monterrey, Mexico.
Mighty Buildings also designed a 15-home 3D printed neighbourhood in Rancho Mirage, California with the Palari Group as developers. Meanwhile, in Houston, design studio Hannah is constructing the first multi-storey 3D-printed home to be created on-site in the United States.