House priced at 91 million VND can be printed in 24 hours
3D printed homes could help end the global housing crisis.
Austin-based startup Icon is currently building a prototype home using 3D printing technology and plans to launch an affordable housing project for the poor in El Salvador.
Icon's 60-square-meter model house was 3D printed from cement in 12-24 hours. The structure includes a living room, bedroom, bathroom and dome.
The homes currently cost $10,000 to build and take 24 hours to complete. But the real-world version is estimated to cost around $4,000.
This technology could help end the global housing crisis. About 1.2 billion people around the world currently lack housing.
“Construction methods have remained virtually unchanged since the 1950s. Icon is changing this and ushering in a new era in construction to meet the needs of the future,” said an Icon spokesperson.
Icon has partnered with international nonprofit New Story to build around 100 new 3D-printed homes in El Salvador over the next 18 months.
The 3D printer called Vulcan can build houses with a maximum area of 75 square meters, equivalent to a 1-bedroom apartment in London or New York.
The model house is currently used by Icon company as an office.
The inside of the house's bathroom was built using 3D printing technology.
Once the prototype home testing is complete, Icon will ship the Vulcan printer to El Salvador to begin construction on the project as planned. The new technology helps minimize labor and material costs.
Icon plans to offer a Vulcan printer capable of building at least 1,000 homes for $100,0000.
