WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – On the first day of winter, a Williamsburg woman officially took ownership of her new home: the first-ever completed 3D printed house in the U.S. made by Habitat for Humanity.
Crews broke ground in July on the 1,200 square foot, three-bedroom house, and News 3 went back for a look at the progress in September. On Tuesday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held.
April Stringfield is the new homeowner. She and her teenaged son have been eager to have a place of their own.
"I’m excited to make new memories in Williamsburg and especially in a house, a home," Stringfield said."Some place I can call home and to give my son that back yard that he can play in and also my puppy to run around the yard."
Back in September, she told News 3, “We live in an apartment, and my son is getting bigger and bigger, and the rooms are getting smaller.”
The Stringfields are moving in now, just in time to celebrate the holidays. Chief Construction Officer Craig Meadows had hoped it would be complete by this time but was concerned about supply chain issues.
Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg partnered with Alquist for the project. Alquist used concrete in place of lumber to 3D print the walls, saving an estimated 15% per square foot in building costs, according to Habitat.
"The history that we’re making today is that this is the first-ever owner-occupied 3D printed home in the world," said Zachary Mannheimer, founder and CEO of Alquist 3D.
“This project is a game changer for Habitat for Humanity,” said Janet V. Green, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg. “We’re selling an affordable home to a family four days before Christmas, and at the same time, we’re finding solutions to build more efficient homes.”
Habitat for Humanity raised funds for the home with the help of generous sponsors, a community crowdfunding campaign and its charity golf tournament.
Habitat says they depend on land that is donated. For more information on Habitat for Humanity, click here.
