Japanese construction company Lib Work is at the forefront of developing and introducing more sustainable building methods for residential homes. In its latest milestone, the company successfully completed the build of a liveable 3D printed house made almost entirely of soil.
The home in question is the Lib Earth House Model B, and is reportedly the first “fully operational residential house built through additive manufacturing using natural materials available on the market.” One of the primary motivations for Lib Work was to phase out the use of cement in its builds. From an environmental standpoint, this makes perfect sense, as the production of cement is responsible for a significant amount of CO2 production (as much as 8% of the globe’s CO2 emissions).
Using a mixture of soil, lime and natural fibers as a building material, particularly if they are locally derived, can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of building homes. According to Lib Work, a 3D printed home spanning 100 square meters can have a CO2 output 50% lower than an equivalent home made using reinforced concrete, and even less for timber builds.
In Lib Work’s most recent build, the construction was achieved using the Crane WASP 3D printer made by Italian 3D printing company WASP. The printer, designed to print clay, aerial or hydraulic lime and cement, was launched back in 2018 and was quickly put to use by WASP to print Gaia, the first 3D printed earthen house prototype, and then a year later TECLA, an eco-sustainable habitat
Manufacturing on Demand
Lib Work’s new house marks an evolution of soil-based construction 3D printing, offering a liveable dwelling that comprises a fairly traditional layout, with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room and a courtyard. To bring this to life, the construction project required a few steps, including building a traditional foundation, onto which the Crane WASP 3D printer was installed. The printer then extruded the layers for the walls. When the walls were complete, a construction team went in to install the primary timber framework before the final interior finishings and touches were made.
The printed walls themselves—reportedly five times stronger than Lib Work’s previous build while also reducing CO2 emissions—are embedded with sensors that monitor data like temperature and humidity levels. These sensors can therefore issue an alert if condensation or any material deterioration is occurring. Other high-tech features of the eco-home include solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall battery system, which ensure that the house is electrically independent (i.e. off-grid). Additionally, appliances in the home, including lighting and air conditioners are IoT integrated, while the front door features a facial recognition lock.
“We heartily congratulate the Lib Work team for their wonderful interpretation of combining 3D printing with natural materials,” said Massimo Moretti, Founder of WASP. “I am honored to collaborate with organizations like Lib Work that share our vision of fusing technology, natural materials and sustainability. This is a concrete example of international cooperation and cultural exchange contributing to a more sustainable and conscious future.”
Generally speaking, 3D printing is increasingly being positioned as a more sustainable alternative to conventional construction methods as it reduces material waste and can dramatically minimize transport emissions through on-site builds and local material sourcing. In cases like the Lib Earth House Model B, these benefits are maximized through the use of more sustainable, naturally derived building materials.
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VeroVistas, the fire-resistant 3D printed homes in Colorado: Known as the VeroVistas, the two homes were constructed using COBOD’s BOD 2 3D printer and span 1,100 sq. ft. (102 m2) each. Most notably, they are made from an A1-rated concrete, the highest grade of fire resistant material which does not fuel combustion at any stage. This is in contrast to more traditional wood-framed houses, which are combustible.
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Author: Tess Boissonneault
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