A California startup says it has officially completed its first fully 3D-printed home, marking a future step toward what could be the fastest — and cheapest — way to build homes in the Golden State.
The company, 4DIFY, announced the milestone in February, saying the home proves that robotics technology can go “from concept to completion” under real-world rules and conditions.
Instead of creating traditional wooden frames and teams of construction workers, the house is built using industrial-scale 3D printers that insert concrete inch by inch, creating the building’s walls with automatic precision.
The project is part of a small pilot project in Yuba County, north of Sacramento, where developers are building a cluster of five homes using advanced technology.
This 1,000-square-foot home took just 24 days to print, Nan Lin, founder of 4Dify, told CBS News — much faster than the months or years it would take to build a typical house in California.
Engineers say automation can reduce construction times, reduce labor costs and reduce material waste—which could make housing more affordable in a climate of housing shortages.
The technology used by 4DIFY comes from the company SQ4D, whose robotic printer “ARCS” is designed to make full-size concrete structures with minimal manual labor.
The homes aren’t just faster to build—developers say they’re also sturdier than standard homes. Because these buildings are mostly made of concrete, the walls are designed to be fireproof, mold and insect resistant, and may lead to lower insurance costs.
While the first house took 24 days to print, the team expects future builds to take 10 days.
“We’re already preparing to print more homes on the same site, using what we’ve learned to improve efficiency, interoperability, and speed,” 4Dify said on its site. “Each building strengthens our process and brings us closer to incremental, repeatable use.”
Each home in the project is expected to sell below the local market rate, due to savings in labor and materials. The original property has already been listed for $375,000, according to reports.
