MUSCATINE, Iowa–Governor Kim Reynolds stopped in Muscatine on Wednesday, May 10, to visit area leaders and learn more about slated 3D home building in Muscatine.
The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine and Alquist 3D, collaborating with other organizations, will bring the first 3D-printed home in Iowa to Muscatine County. The 1,300 square foot 3D printed house and garage will be built in the Arbor Commons subdivision in Muscatine by Alquist 3D, utilizing a 3D construction robotic arm created by Ric Technology. Hagerty Earthworks will serve as the local general contractor.
The Governor’s visit included watching the Alquist team prototyping with the 3D robotic home printer and learning more about Muscatine Community College’s 3D Home Printing Certificate Program, which will also be the first such program in the state of Iowa and will begin in the fall.
Muscatine Community College is partnering to offer hands-on training for students in 3D printing technology, establishing a trained workforce for the local construction industry. The college will work with Alquist 3D to develop a curriculum and identify the skills students need.
In addition, Muscatine Community College intends to add research in this field on how adding hemp fibers to the concrete formula affects the strength and environmental impact of 3D-printed homes.
The housing shortage in Muscatine County is creating an affordability crisis, burgeoning prices, and making homeownership harder for residents in our communities. As a supplemental tool for housing development, 3D technology can increase building speed and make homes more affordable and sustainable.
For more information on 3D home printing, visit www.givinggreater.org/housing.
NOTIFICATION:
This content has been provided via press release or other notification systems to Discover Muscatine. It is being published as a resource for the Muscatine community and has not been vetted or edited by our staff. All questions regarding this content should be directed to the contributor, Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine.
