A new $15 million housing community project set to be built in California by next year aims to be the “world’s first planned community of 3D printed homes” and will use a variety of special tech features to ensure the builds are sustainable.
1. The project
The impressive Rancho Mirage housing development in California is a partnership between Construction technology company Mighty Buildings who specialise in 3D printed homes of different size and scale, offering technology as a solution to issues like the housing crisis and sustainability, and development-focused Palari Group. Rancho Mirage will consist of 15 homes across five-acres and last December Palari Group officially ordered Mighty’s “Cinco” models for the project. Construction is set to begin at the end of this year and scheduled to be finished by Spring 2022, meanwhile Mighty Buildings is apparently already in talks with a “number of developers” about potential future communities.
2. Construction
Mighty Buildings plans to build the homes using its own Mighty Kit system, which involves prefabricated 3D-printed panels made using robots and 3D printers in a factory, then shipped and assembled into steel-framed modular houses. According to the company the homes will be based on Mighty Building’s 3D printed proprietary Light Stone Material rather than concrete, a material which its shape upon UV light exposure. They say that each panel is the equivalent of eight layers of traditional construction materials. According to Mighty Building’s, their way of using the 3D printing method of construction has several advantages in sustainability, speed, and cost. Just like with the general prefabricated home industry homebuilders can build quicker,whilst it is also 40% less expensive and reduces construction waste by 99%,
Although 3D printing is being used as a means of construction elsewhere, Mighty Building says its Rancho Mirage will have the title of “world’s first planned community of 3D printed homes.” “This will be the first on-the-ground actualisation of our vision for the future of housing – able to be deployed rapidly, affordably, sustainably, and able to augment surrounding communities with a positive dynamic,” Alexey Dubov, cofounder and COO of Mighty Buildings, said in a press release.
3. The houses
Featuring a unique modern design, the 134.7 square metre homes will each be built on 929 square metre plots of land and will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms as well as a separate 65 square metre two bed, one bath unit. They will also come with a swimming pool and deck, and the option to upgrade this outdoor space with hot tubs, firepits, or open-air showers.
4. Energy use
The homes will be zero-net-energy, using solar panels to source their energy, whilst individual houses will also have the option to use Tesla Powerwall batteries to store solar energy and electric vehicle chargers will also be an optional extra. The houses will also come with a “wellness intelligence solution” which controls living aspects such as air and water quality and circadian lights. Sam Ruben, Mighty Building’s chief sustainability officer explains that this integration of smart tech creates a comfortable yet sustainable living experience by only using energy when needed. As stated in a Mighty Buildings press release, “The project aims to minimise its environmental impact and offer smart and healthy homes to sustainability-minded buyers.”
