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3D-printer homes to reduce homelessness

3D Printers - Level 4

A roof over your head is a basic human need, but 1.2 billion people don't have one. A new, low-cost use of 3D printers may change this. 3D printers join materials together via a computerized device that creates three-dimensional objects. Two companies will start building affordable homes using 3D printing. Tech company ICON can make a one-floor house out of cement in a day for just $10,000. This is a fraction of the time and cost to build a house.

ICON and the non-profit group New Story will build homes in developing countries. They will build 100 in El Salvador next year. New Story's co-founder said this was just a drop in the ocean. She said: "There are over 100 million people living in slum conditions, in what we call survival mode." She added: "The tech is ready now to print very high-quality, safe homes in the places we're building." She also said 3D-printed houses could be built in richer countries.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

3D Printers - Level 5

A roof over your head is a basic human need, but 1.2 billion people in the world have no proper housing. A revolutionary, low-cost use of 3D printers may change this. With 3D printing, materials are joined together by using a computer-controlled device to create three-dimensional objects. Two companies have joined to try and ease homelessness by building affordable homes using 3D printing. Tech company ICON has developed a method for printing a one-floor house out of cement in a day for just $10,000. This is a fraction of the time and cost needed to build other houses.

ICON teamed up with the non-profit housing group New Story. They will start building homes in developing countries. They will build 100 new homes in El Salvador next year. New Story's co-founder acknowledged that the 100 homes were just a drop in the ocean. She said: "There are over 100 million people living in slum conditions, in what we call survival mode." She said 3D-printed houses could become common in richer countries in years to come. For the moment, she said: "The tech is ready now to print very high-quality, safe homes in the places we're building."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

3D Printers - Level 6

Having a roof over your head is a basic human need, but there are 1.2 billion people in the world without adequate housing. This may change thanks to a revolutionary, low-cost use of 3D printers to construct houses. With 3D printing, materials are joined together or reinforced by using a computer-controlled device to create a three-dimensional object. Two companies have joined forces to try and ease homelessness around the world by building affordable homes using 3D printing. Tech company ICON has developed a method for printing a one-floor, 60-square-meter house out of cement in a day for just $10,000. This is a fraction of both the time and cost needed to build a similar construction using conventional methods.

ICON has teamed up with the non-profit, international housing organization New Story. Together, they will start building homes in developing countries. Their joint venture will see 100 new homes constructed in El Salvador next year. New Story's co-founder Alexandria Lafci acknowledged that the 100 homes were just a drop in the ocean. She said: "There are over 100 million people living in slum conditions, in what we call survival mode." She also saw possibilities for 3D-printed houses to become common in richer countries in years to come. However, she said that for the moment: "The tech is ready now to print very high-quality, safe homes in the places we're building."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson