Posted on 02/12/2024 3:51:50 PM PST by nickcarraway
“This project can be the beginning of something meaningful.”
A California couple is set to move into a one-of-a-kind home later this year that will be resistant to wildfires.
According to Highways Today, a robotic arm 3D printer created by RIC Technology began construction in January on the state’s first fire-resistant, 3D-printed concrete accessory dwelling unit in the city of Walnut. The general contractor Builtech Construction Group is leading the design in collaboration with the city of Walnut and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Philips and Constance, a couple living in Walnut described as “eager to contribute to wildfire protection,” agreed to have Builtech erect a fire-resistant ADU in their backyard that will include two bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
“Seeing the state plagued by wildfires, we want to be part of the solution, too,” said Ziyou Xu, founder and CEO of RIC Technology, which is a pioneering 3D printing company. “This project can be the beginning of something meaningful — a wider application of 3D printed homes that are less susceptible to fires.”
In 2023, wildfires in California caused 323,025 acres to be burned and led to four fatalities. The previous year, the federal government spent over $4 billion in firefighting costs. However, suppressing wildfires is only half the battle, as communities continue to suffer from the damage for years.
“Fire-resistant homes reduce wildfire risks by enhancing resilience during a fire and speeding up post-wildfire recovery,” Xu said. “It significantly saves time and money in the recovery process if residents’ homes survive a wildfire.”
Per Highways Today, the ADU being built in Walnut will have exterior walls that are “3D-printed using concrete, a non-combustible material.” The roof “will be constructed with light steel and sure-boards, distinguishing it from other 3D-printed homes that often feature wooden structural roofs.” Builtech also will fortify the areas that are “traditionally vulnerable to fires, such as eave vents and windows,” also per Highways Today.
“The ADU will be built without a single piece of wood or nail — no ‘fuel’ on the main structure,” said Aaron Liu, CEO of Builtech Construction Group and a National Fire Protection Association-certified wildfire mitigation specialist. “So we significantly minimize the likelihood of fire entering the home, reducing its susceptibility to fire.”
In addition to using 3D printing, there are other methods that can create fire-resistant homes. Australian scientists have discovered that mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi, can be used to create fire-resistant cladding for buildings. A Colorado startup company is building modern homes using compressed earth blocks, which are incredibly fire-resistant and also offer benefits such as wind resistance and thermal mass, which help regulate indoor temperatures.
The hope is that the Walnut project will lead to more collaborations with local governments and fire departments to expand the development of more non-combustible, fire-resistant homes in wildfire-prone communities.
They want to be part of the “solution”. Look at me virtue signaling.
Don’t forget printing an in-law suite for a border crossing family.
Doesn’t 3D printing use oil based products?
This home is in violation of 247 local zoning ordinances and 317 state environmental regulations.
The legal costs to fight this will exceed a million dollars.
Facts. No fair...
“A California couple...”
So the ‘He’ used to be a ‘She’ and the ‘She’ used to be a ‘He?’
I remember using pre-stressed concrete to build apartments in 1978. I believe pre-stressed is the correct word.
Wilma Flintstone: “I like the house, but I’m kind of disappointed that the countertops aren’t Marble!”
Fred Flintstone: “THE WHOLE HOUSE IS MADE OF MARBLE!”
:)
I guess SOMEBODY had to eat the first oyster, Right? ;)
On the fence, waiting to see how these structures hold up over time. Seems to be solid, but solid concrete has its disadvantages too - forget making improvements, room additions and remodels for you weekenders and your wives who seem to live for it.
Wondering also what will the drywallers, carpenters, roofers, etc do when their jobs evaporate. I’d imagine the plumbers and electricians will still be needed but to a lesser degree. But I can’t imagine too many Juans or Joses fresh from the border will be needed to run the 3-D machines.
We want to destroy construction jobs in America.
Fixed it.
Could we just hit the reset button please? Starting with the ABCs?
Sum ting...
We’ve known how to build fire-resistant homes for decades without going to printed concrete:
Building Wildfire-Resistant Homes
13 articles to help you make a new house or existing home safer from the threat of wildfires.
By Fine Homebuilding Editors
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is an ultra-light concrete masonry product. It can weigh as little as 1/5 as much as ordinary concrete due to its distinct cellular structure featuring millions of tiny pockets of trapped air. This cellular structure gives AAC a number of exceptional physical characteristics.
They also are not very flexible during earthquakes.
As soon as Cary Granite pays her a visit, she’ll forget all about the countertops.
Oddly if you live in a dry climate like in the Southwest, the best building material is 1000s of years old and used originally in the Middle East and North Africa.
ADOBE
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