A Black Architectural Firm Led A Project To Develop The First 3D-Printed Home In Detroit, MI

A Black architectural firm is behind the first-ever 3D-printed home in Detroit, MI.

According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, a 988-square-foot, two-bedroom project launched in October 2022 has reached its finish line.

The 3D-printed home was built thanks to nearly $160,000 in funding from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program for materials and a partnership between the Black architectural firm developArchitecture, furniture store Gardner White, and robotic construction firm Citizen Robotics.

Citizen Robotics and developArchitecture also engaged BIPOC individuals in 12 aspects of the home-building process.

“It’s rewarding to finally share our pilot home because 3D printing is the future of architecture. 3D printing will eventually become a standard method across the industry, and Detroit is the perfect landscape for this type of innovation,” said Bryan Cook, founder and CEO of developArchitecture, in the press release.

The technology that supported the home’s development featured a “robotic arm using cementitious mortar,” which decreased labor and expenses and supported more sustainable materials, per the press release.

“This home proves that, by leveraging digitalization and robotics, we can solve for many of the problems that plague the homebuilding industry. We can build right-sized homes, with fewer workers, that cost less to heat and cool. We can build homes with features to support living at any stage of life,” said Tom Woodman, co-founder and executive director of Citizen Robotics, in the press release.

What’s more, the home will be cost-effective and help lower utility expenses for residents.

“As we move quickly with solutions to address Michigan’s housing crisis, we are serious about investing in innovation and piloting new ideas, and the 3D-printed house is a great example of that,” said Amy Hovey, MSHDA CEO and executive director, per the press release. “We need all types of housing for Michiganders, and we are committed to exploring programs and partnerships that advance our goal to not only increase housing supply but also lower construction costs, reduce environmental impacts, and maintain affordability for homebuyers and renters.”

The 3D-printed home is located at 1444 Sheridan St. in Detroit, MI’s Islandview neighborhood.