3D printed homes

3d printed homes allow speedy construction, improve quality, reduce waste, lower energy demand, and optimize transportation costs. 

Steven Keating’s 3D Printed Homes

Steven Keating graduated with degrees in mechanical engineering, materials science and film making in his home country of Canada .  That would have been sufficient to launch a successful career for most people.  But not for Steven. He enrolled at MIT in 2010 to pursue a PhD degree in mechanical engineering. He continued his search for new devices and technologies by pushing the limits of engineering, media technologies, biology, robotics and 3D printing. 

Commercial 3D printers for homes and tumors

Steven was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2014. Instead of losing hope, he underwent grueling 10 hour surgery and continued his studies. In his PhD degree presentation in 2016, he showed 3D printed models of his tumor as well as 3D printed slices of his brain to the panelists at MIT. He was humorous and presented his findings with a sense of wonder and excitement.  He passionately discussed his fascination with various devices and additive manufacturing technologies which range from cellular biology to 3D printing of entire buildings.

He demonstrated that 3d printed homes would allow speedy and accurate construction, improve quality, reduce waste, lower energy demand, and optimize transportation costs. Such construction technologies would also enable construction in harsh or dangerous environments not suitable for a human workforce such as in space.

The future of 3D printed homes

One of the most exciting discoveries he discussed during his PhD presentation was about the ability to construct entire buildings using 3D printing.  His robotic device to construct buildings using 3D printing was purchased by NASA for use in future missions to the Moon and elsewhere.  This remarkable young man eventually succumbed to his brain cancer at the age of 31 in 2019.  RIP and thank you for lighting the way for the rest of us.

Key takeaways:

1 Spread the message to your friends and family to promote 3d printed homes as a sustainable way to build.
2 Start or support new businesses to promote 3d printed homes.
3 Click on 3d printed homes products and resources for more information and visit Pinterest for ideas.

Title Image: 3D printed buildings engineered by WASP and designed by MCA — Mario Cucinella Architects. CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.