COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus’ first 3D-printed home is moving on to the next stage of development, where its unique machinery is no longer needed.
The home under construction on East 26th Avenue in South Linden was first handled with a giant machine towering over the property. With a hose feeding concrete to its nozzle, it repeatedly moved around the home’s outline over and over again, getting slightly higher each time. The printer moves based on guidelines given by a computer program from a digital 3D model of the home.
Watch: 3D printer adds layers to Columbus’ first home of its kind
During a site visit in August, contractor Mayo Makinde — who acquired the printer through a Spanish company called BeMore3D — told NBC4 that the printer wasn’t running because his team needed to replace a bad batch of the specialized concrete. But with fresh supplies in hand, he confirmed the machine was able to wrap up the 11-foot walls in the span of a few days.
“We finished the printing of the house around 3:30 a.m. (Friday),” Makinde said. “These are where the traditional house-building steps come back into play.”
Makinde told NBC4 that the home’s next steps include disassembling the printer and removing it from the construction site. After that, his team would add wiring and circuitry to the home, as well as install plumbing and air conditioning. They’ll also begin securing windows, doors and a roof to the printed frame.
The contractor did not share an estimate on how much longer the traditional home construction steps would take. However, he previously said once it’s finished, people will be able to tour the home. Makinde told NBC4 that the prototype house is being donated to Makinde Foundation — his nonprofit — as a way to encourage youth to get involved in construction.