“I hope to stay here until the last days of my life.”
These are the words of Tim Shea, who has come a long way from his homeless days struggling with heroin addiction. He is now the first person ever to live in a 3D printed house, according to the house manufacturer.
On the outskirts of Austin, Texas, 120-year-old Shea has settled in his 3-square-foot home built with XNUMXD printing. His new home is located in the Community First Village, which provides housing for the homeless along the lines of a born project in Europe.
The residential complex has so far more than 500 homes, including 3D ones built by Icon, a local start-up. Shea is part of an ever-growing number of seniors in America who struggle to live sustainably. Before his 3D printed house he lived in an RV.
Shutting oneself up at home, opening up to the world
“I think from my personal experience I've developed an armor,” Shea said. “I didn't feel safe and whenever I had the opportunity I would hide or isolate myself. I never wanted to interact with people." Paradoxically, when Shea was homeless he was less in contact with others. Since he has a house, his life has changed drastically.
“Everything I do is just the opposite, and I have many activities to do every day with others,” he said.
Shea chose an open floor plan because she has arthritis, and may need to use a wheelchair. So far Icon has developed six different types of 3D printed houses, with different configurations and much stronger materials.
First Community is a not-for-profit company that has invested $ 18 million to build a low-cost residential village to help homeless people off the streets. The initial capacity is 180 residents, who pay an average of € 250 rent and get job opportunities on site.
A 3D printed house, a self-built future
“When I found out that I was going to be the first person in America to move into a 3D printed house, I thought it was really cool,” Shea said. “The same people I ran from now help me run. If you've been on both sides of the fence, you know that some people just need a little encouragement and support."
The community was founded in 2015 and created by the real estate developer Alan Graham, who had spent the past two decades volunteering on the streets of Austin through a project called Mobile Loaves & Fishes. The Community First! Village to test new technologies in the construction field was a natural extension of his willingness to experiment.
Humanity goal
Graham wanted to provide a real sense of community rather than just housing for the chronically homeless. Now, Icon has brought its 3D printed home technology to the village to hopefully speed up the process, making it cheaper too.
The homes feature one bedroom, one bathroom, a full kitchen, a living room and a large porch overlooking the outdoors.
The best part about living in my 3D printed house is that it's more than just a roof over your head. It gives me a sense of security. I feel like I'm embraced in this house. There are no tight corners, it is rounded, it seems to envelop me. I love sitting and looking at the inside. It's a very comfortable, warm and welcoming place, and I'm so proud to live there."
Construction with 3D printers
3D printers are a real possibility for the future. They build houses faster, cheaper, with stronger materials. Icon has delivered two dozen 3D printed homes / structures to the United States and Mexico.
