Virginia Housing is providing a $1.1 million grant to test 3D-printed homes in the state.
The Community Innovation Demonstrations grant to the Virginia Center for Housing Research (VCHR) at Virginia Tech will help purchase an advanced, mobile 3D-construction printer. Grant funds also will enable 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) tests, training, research, and partnerships to print 10 affordable homes across Virginia by 2026.
“For years, we have been working with our partners, exploring innovative construction techniques,” said Tammy Neale, CEO of Virginia Housing. “This collaboration with Virginia Tech marks a pivotal step forward.” She added, “This latest program allows us to quickly test, learn, and train future workers and partners to advance and scale 3D-printed housing across the commonwealth.”
While site selection for the 10 homes is still in the works, officials are looking forward to “printing” homes by 2026.
“By building multiple 3D-printed homes on different lots at the same site, we plan to study potential production-level cost and schedule savings, helping us to focus on Virginia’s supply chain, its risks, and maximize efficiencies for the industry beyond Virginia,” said Andrew McCoy, director of VCHR.
The team plans to purchase the Tvasta SIRA RC 20, a robotic crawler arm-based 3D concrete printer featuring:
• Robotic Arm Design: Unlike larger gantry-based systems, the SIRA RC20 uses a multi-axial robotic arm, offering greater flexibility and precision;
• High Payload Capacity: Engineered to handle heavy components, the SIRA RC20 can produce large-scale construction elements;
• Customizable Motion Systems: The printer offers tailored motion systems to meet specific project requirements, enhancing versatility for different types of projects; and
• Eco-Friendly Design: This system minimizes material waste and can use low-carbon mixes and recycled concrete mixes to create energy-efficient structures.
According to officials, the nearly 11-foot high, 4-ton eco-friendly printer can cut construction time and waste. In 2021, Tvasta, an Indian engineering tech startup, built India’s first 3D-printed house—a 600-square-foot structure— in 21 days using layered concrete.
The initial phase of the project will involve purchasing and maintaining the printer. Subsequent phases will include training partners in the technology, advancing research with Virginia Tech’s faculty to expand 3DCP knowledge and applications, and collaborating with Virginia developers to construct durable, high-performance housing that meets community needs.
