Last week, over 300 people gathered in Greeley, Colorado, to witness the groundbreaking of the largest Habitat for Humanity project in the state, which will feature 3D-printed homes. Alquist 3D, a concrete printing company, showcased its technology, using a robotic arm to layer concrete for walls instead of traditional materials like lumber.

Alquist, founded by Zachary Mannheimer, relocated its headquarters to Greeley due to local partnerships, including with Habitat for Humanity and Aims Community College. The company aims to make 3D-printed homes cheaper and more disaster-resistant than traditional houses. Currently, Alquist is working to match the cost of lumber-built homes but anticipates that large-scale production could reduce costs by 20-30%.

The Hope Springs project will consist of 174 Habitat homes and 320 apartments. Alquist’s initial task is to build two duplex homes, while 12 lumber-built homes will begin construction soon. Habitat’s local CEO, Cheri Witt-Brown, supports the technology but seeks to ensure it meets budget and family preferences before committing to further expansion.

Hope Springs will feature various community amenities and could serve as a model for addressing Colorado’s housing crisis. The project aims to combine nonprofit, private, and public efforts to create affordable housing options.

Source:  Colorado Public Radio