The Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) at the University of Maine unveiled Monday the first 3D-printed house made entirely of bio-based materials, called BioHome3D, according to a news release from the institution.
Fully recyclable and well-insulated.
The new structure consists of a 600-square-foot prototype with 3D-printed floors and walls and a roof made of wood fiber and bio-resins.
The house is fully recyclable and well insulated, and its development produced limited waste due to the precision of the printing process.
“Our state is facing a perfect storm of a housing crisis and a workforce shortage, but the University of Maine is once again stepping up to show that we can meet these major challenges with trademark Maine ingenuity,” said Governor Janet Mills.
“With the innovative BioHome3D, the Umain University for Advanced Structures and Composites is thinking creatively about how we can solve our housing shortage, strengthen our forestry industry, and provide people with a safe place to live to contribute to our economy. While there is still much to do, today’s development is a positive step forward, and I was proud to support Maine jobs and recovery with my plan and budget.
I congratulate and thank the University of Maine and its partners and look forward to solving these problems with innovative solutions.”
Technology is now helping to solve the labor shortage that currently limits affordable and livable housing. The use of automated production and outsourcing in this new type of home also reduces on-site construction and set-up time.
However, the use of abundant, renewable, and locally sourced wood fiber raw materials solves current supply problems, which I know are problematic. In the future, homes can also be customized according to the spatial and aesthetic preferences of the apartment and produce faster delivery times.
New Approach
“At ASCC, we find solutions to pressing problems facing our world and Maine by exploring transformative offshore wind technology, next-generation solutions for transportation infrastructure, advanced forest products, large-scale 3D printing, and affordable housing,” said UMaine president Joan Ferrini-Mundy.
“The work being done in this laboratory is an absolute example of the work of the Land Grants Agency, an agency designed to help solve the state of Maine’s problems and promote its economic development in partnership with the land and the people of Maine… I couldn’t be more proud to show that lab and exactly how it’s done here.”
The new structure was printed in four modules and assembled on-site in just half a day. Electricity was installed within two hours of completion.
“Many technologies are being developed for 3D printing of homes, but unlike BioHome3D, most are printed with concrete. However, usually, only the concrete walls are pressed on a poured concrete foundation. A traditional wooden frame or wooden trusses are used to finish the roof,” said ASCC Executive Director Dagher.
“Unlike existing technologies, the entire BioHome3D is printed, including the floors, walls, and ceiling. The biomaterials used are 100% recyclable, so our great-grandchildren can completely recycle the BioHome3D.”
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