Mortgage

3D printing: A game changer for affordable housing

Who will build the world’s first 3D printed house?

The race continues to be the first architect to build the world’s first 3D printed houses, an article in Business Insider explained.  But will it really be a game-changing move for housing affordability, as the article claims, or remain simply a bright idea?

The article includes a video from Business Insider that goes in-depth on the latest movements in 3D printed houses, including a peak in to an Amsterdam team of architects’ 3D printer.

The site is both construction site and public museum; President Obama was among the visitors this year. Hedwig Heinsman, co-founder of DUS architects, the team behind the project, tells Business Insider that in addition to being eco-friendly, "The main goal, I think, is really to deliver custom-made architecture."

In the video, the Amsterdam explained that they hope to one day be able to bring 3D printers to refuge areas to build homes.   

This concept is gaining steam in the industry and is expected to finally help give a home to the millions of people across the world.

In April 2014 a Chinese company built 10 3D houses in a 24-hour period. Students at UCLA and Huddersfield University in the U.K. have developed small dome-shaped homes intended for millennials who cannot afford a mortgage, and houses built with large Legos have even been suggested.

There has been some criticism about these previous and current attempts. The houses don't always look appealing and most of them are just outer shells, lacking the wiring, plumbing, furniture, interior walls and any other essentials that complete a house.

However, proponents say these lack of amenities could be what keeps construction cost to a minimum, thereby increasing the odds of mass production and increasing housing affordability.

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