MUSCATINE, Iowa–Shortly after the Muscatine Center for Social Action announced that it, with support from the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine, received an Iowa HOME Grant for the creation of six 3D printed houses, Muscatine County’s Ignite Vitality Through Workforce Housing partners came together Dec. 13 to provide updates on the process of creating these first six houses as well as plans to build additional ones. These combined efforts position Muscatine to lead the state and nation in the creation of 3D printed houses.
As part of the Mulberry corridor revitalization project, Muscatine Center for Social Action will build six 3D printed homes on vacant lots or in place of houses slated for demolition. To build on this momentum, the Community Foundation has pledged to build four additional houses in 2023 and additional houses in at least each of the following two years. They will build several of these houses in the new Arbor Commons development next to the Muscatine Arboretum and select additional locations in established neighborhoods as well. The Community Foundation will utilize a $500,000 Mary Jo and Richard H. Stanley Human Condition Grant to build the houses and also subsize their purchase price, if needed.
Schafer shared her excitement at the prospect of bringing so many 3D printed houses to Muscatine in a relatively short period of time. “We’re proud to be part of reimagining housing development in our community, alongside our collaborative partners.”
Various other community partners also spoke at the gathering about how the projects would benefit their stakeholders, from providing more stable housing for both students and teachers in Muscatine Community School District to providing a new opportunity for Habitat for Humanity to help create a home for a family of first time homeowners to call their own.
In particular, partners shared how the project would bring cutting edge technology to Muscatine, making them not only a leader in adopting a new construction method but also in educating the next generation of builders in how to use 3D building printing successfully.
Zachary Mannheimer, founder and CEO of Alquist 3D, an Iowa-based 3D construction company subcontracted to 3D print the homes in Muscatine, discussed the 3D printing process. He detailed how their use of reinforced concrete and 3D printers designed to create houses on site allows them to create what amounts to the frame of the house in a matter of a few days. From that point, the company can 3D print parts of the interior as well or allow another contractor to finish them out using more traditional stick construction.
Mannheimer also spoke about the opportunity to work with students in Muscatine Community College’s budding construction program. Alquist has provided Muscatine Community College with an eight week 3D printer operator certification program that they can integrate into their courses. They also plan to work with students in the agriculture department to determine how best to incorporate hemp products into their concrete mix to make it stronger and carbon neutral.
An outstanding opportunity for Muscatine County residents to lead in innovation and education, Muscatine Community College President Naomi DeWinter applauded the partnership. “It gives our students a chance to work on the most pressing need in Muscatine, housing.”
