“These houses are more than just experimental”

If unconventional homes appeal to you, you might find your dream home in the Netherlands, where a construction and design team is building multi-story 3D-printed “livable rocks.”

The houses are a continuation of the Milestone project, a revolutionary housing project in Eindhoven, a collaboration between Eindhoven University of Technology, Van Wijnen, Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix, Vesteda, the Municipality of Eindhoven and Witteveen+Bos.

In 2021, the team made history by completing Europe’s first legally habitable 3D-printed home, a Flintstones-style structure that was factory-printed in just five days. Now, the builders are getting a little bolder with four new homes that will feature two different floor plans.

According to New Atlas, two of the rock-shaped homes will be three stories high and about 1,370 square feet, while the other homes will be two stories high and about 1,230 square feet. All homes will have three bedrooms and are designed to accommodate up to four people.

Most of the construction will take place offsite, at a nearby factory, where a giant 3D printer equipped with a custom nozzle will produce a cement-like mixture to create the homes’ exteriors. Then, construction crews will assemble the 3D-printed sections on site and add finishing touches, such as the roof, doors and interior elements.

According to New Atlas, the homes are now on the market for between €570,000 and €655,000 (about $633,000 to $728,000 as of September 17). Construction is expected to begin in early 2025, and the homes should be move-in ready by summer, according to a Project Milestone press release.

3D printed homes like these have several advantages over traditional homes. Unlike traditional methods of pouring concrete, 3D printing technology allows concrete to be placed only where it is needed. Because it is more efficient, it reduces construction costs and production times, which translates into lower sales prices for home buyers.

Additionally, 3D printed concrete homes are typically more energy efficient than standard homes, helping to reduce heating and cooling needs and lower electricity bills.

Some 3D printed homes can withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

They can also contribute to a cooler planet since they use fewer materials, reducing carbon pollution and construction waste.

3D printed homes could also be a viable solution to the housing crisis because they are cheaper to build. As technology advances, we will likely see more and more 3D printed neighborhoods popping up around the world.

“This ambitious project will take the standards of 3D concrete printing to the next level and ensure that these homes will be more than just experiments. They will be enjoyed and comfortably lived in by their owners for decades to come,” said the Milestone project partners.

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