Summary
Highlights
The video introduces the project of printing three homes in Shiner, Texas, by New Standard Homes, using a COBOD printer rented from Peri 3D. The initial layers of concrete are shown being printed, connected to the slab with dual-bond epoxy, and the team collaboration between Peri and New Standard Homes is highlighted. The stop-start function of the COBOD printer is also demonstrated for efficient printing.
Ian, an intern with Peri, explains his role in generating G-codes and supporting the machine's operation. He details the house's division into sections for easier printing and nozzle changes. David discusses his role in fixing cracks and advertisement, expressing enthusiasm for 3D printing as the future of affordable, durable, and energy-efficient homes. EJ explains his role in controlling the concrete mixture, adapting it to humidity and temperature, while Woody focuses on finish work, electrical, plumbing, and reinforcing walls with Z-bars. Ryan McLaren, co-founder of New Standard Homes, discusses the company's goal of providing affordable homes in Texas and his role in operating the print head. Rex Risk, CEO of New Standard Homes, elaborates on the company's mission to build sustainable, durable, and energy-efficient concrete homes, designing them for affordability and liveability with an "ultramodern adobe" style.
The video demonstrates the curing process by covering completed sections and actively printing new ones. The initial layers for the day are shown, with the team navigating around window lentils. The extensive cleaning process for the extruder system, including the auger, is detailed, emphasizing the importance of homogeneity in the material. The unique properties of printed concrete, which requires faster setting times due to the absence of formwork, are explained. The loading of dry material from a super sack into the silo for mixing with water for the printer is also demonstrated.
Rex Risk tours the first completed home, a one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath unit. He highlights the modern aesthetic, energy efficiency from spray foam insulation, undersized AC units for better dehumidification, and tankless water heaters. Challenges encountered, such as an incorrectly placed wall reducing laundry space, are discussed. Rex also shares insights into infrastructure placement, noting that wet walls are framed out for easier access, and expresses a preference for different wall construction in future projects to improve affordability.
Rex showcases the two-bedroom unit, his favorite, appreciating the spacious living area, galley kitchen, and combination of vaulted and 9-foot ceilings. He clarifies that electrical outlets use Smurf pipe for future maintenance and that the upper walls are steel-framed, not solid concrete. Rex confirms the homes are cash-owned through family loans and could be mortgaged with leases in place. He reflects on the project's high cost due to contractors unfamiliar with 3D printing and suggests focusing on smaller, efficient homes with mini-splits for AC in the future. He acknowledges the aesthetic of raw concrete layers and the challenges of uneven surfaces for installations like frameless mirrors.
Rex introduces the three-bedroom, two-bath unit, noting it was the first house designed and printed. He discusses a design flaw that reduced kitchen and living space due to an unnecessary mudroom. Despite challenges, he praises his team's spirit. He reflects on the difficulties of printing, such as clogged hoses and the impact of weather. The idea of forming a real estate fund focused on philanthropy is explored, aiming to build affordable housing units tax-beneficially, securing investor funds, and enabling growth without high risk. He points to organizations like Mobile Loaves and Fishes as models for affordable housing initiatives.