3D printed homes for the needy

The non-profit organization New Story is dedicated to finding solutions to global homelessness. In their latest project they are building one of the world’s first 3D printed communities in Mexico. The basic structures of these 50 square metre homes are finished in just 24 hours of print time, which is spread across several days. Each home features two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and bathroom. The village is located in rural Tabasco, Mexico, and the homes will be granted to local families who are currently living in extreme poverty and unsafe shelters. The community will have 50 homes and is the model for many more such villages to be built around the world.

New Story has already built more than 3,000 homes using traditional construction methods across Haiti, El Salvador, Bolivia, and Mexico, but this new process creates the opportunity to do much more. The director Alexandria Lafci says, “This 3D home printer has the potential slash the cost and time it takes to build a home while improving quality and customization. With 3D printing you have nearly zero waste, much greater speed and the possibility of a quantum leap in affordability. This isn’t just 10% better, it’s 10 times better.”