How Building A Home In Four Weeks Can Change Four Generations | Gene Eidelman | TEDxWilmington

25 Jun 2024 (5 months ago)

Sustainable Housing Solutions through 3D Printing

The speaker shares memories of their childhood home and emphasizes the importance of communal spaces outside the house.
They describe their experiences living in different places, including Los Angeles and Malibu, and discuss the challenges of homelessness, climate change-related disasters, and housing shortages.
The speaker highlights the need for innovation in construction to address these challenges and reduce the environmental impact of traditional building methods.

The speaker proposes using recycled plastic, particularly PETG, as a sustainable material for 3D printing homes.
They explain the advantages of PETG, such as its resistance to water, chemicals, and pests, and its strength when combined with fiberglass.

3D printing technology can construct the exterior of a house in under 24 hours, a process that traditionally takes 3-4 months.
3D printing eliminates the need for lumber, roofing material, waterproofing, and sheathing, replacing six trades in the construction process.
3D printing enables the creation of curved structures, which are typically more expensive and limited in traditional construction methods.
3D printing allows for customization of buildings based on climate and location, adjusting roof strength and insulation as needed.
3D printing reduces plastic waste by using recycled plastic as a construction material, helping to address the problem of plastic pollution in oceans.

The process involves configuring a house on a computer, selecting colors, lighting, and styles, and then printing the house in one day to three weeks.
Interior finishes are completed within a few weeks, and the house is delivered and attached to a foundation in hours.

3D printing offers sustainability, cost savings, and accelerated construction time, potentially changing families' lives for generations.