NEW YORK, NY - MAY 09: An Ultimaker 3D printer works at "New Lab", an advanced manufacturing hub in the Brooklyn Navy Yard on May 9, 2013 in New York City. New Lab, where engineers, entrepreneurs, artists and designers share workspace, is part of the Navy Yard's 215,000 square foot Green Manufacturing Center. New Lab developer David Belt today, with the assistance of city officials, opened Beta Space to accommodate new tenants. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
A Virginia-based family is kicking off their 2022 in the nation’s first 3D printed home. Habitat for Humanity shared a news release naming April Stringfield as the homeowner. April expressed her gratitude for the new space in a live video streamed on Habitat for Humanity’s Facebook account. The mama and her 13 year-old son received their keys just before Christmas Day on December 21.
“My son and I are so thankful,” April said. “I always wanted to be a homeowner. It’s like a dream come true.”
Habitat for Humanity partnered with a 3D printing company named Alquist to complete the project. It only took 12 hours for the technology to build the three bedroom, two bathroom home. Typically, a 1,200-square-foot home like April’s would take about four weeks of construction labor. Alquist built the house using concrete. The material holds temperature, saves heating and cooling costs and stands a good chance against tornado and hurricane damage.
Most people think Habitat for Humanity gifts the homes they build. But, the nonprofit organization runs the Habitat Homebuyer Program, which “sells homes to families with low to moderate incomes,” per the news release. To quality, interested home buyers must earn an income between 45-80% of the area’s median income. They must also have excellent credit and the ability to pay for the home.
Home buyers don’t pay interest, but they must also log volunteer hours. April put in 300 hours of work both helping the construction crew and working at the Williamsburg Habitat ReStore. Habitat for Humanity will use the mortgage April pays to build more homes.
Alquist also installed a 3D printer in April’s kitchen, as they do with every home they build. She can use a downloadable file to print replaceable parts like knobs and light switch covers.
“This is all for my son,” April said. “If you truly believe in something, keep trying and you can do it.”
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