RIC Technology, a 3D printing company based in California, has utilized its robotic arm 3D printer to create California’s earliest 3D printed concrete Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) that is fire-resistant. This was accomplished in Walnut, Los Angeles.
With the partnership of the City of Walnut and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the assignment was led by the Builtech Construction Group. The 3D printing portion was subcontracted to K4K Construction Design. A standout aspect of this ADU, which is 1200 sq ft, is its non-combustibility and fire resistance. This is a response to the growing amount and severity of wildfires in California.
Philips and Constance, local homeowners, collaborated with Builtech Construction Group because they wanted to contribute to wildfire protection. The project’s goal was to prove the feasibility of 3D printed homes as a solution to wildfire threats. Ziyou Xu, RIC Technology’s founder and CEO, has seen potential for a wide range of applications for fire-resistant 3D printed homes, marking a significant progression.
Wildfires have inflicted substantial damage on California, with rising costs in terms of fire suppression and long-term impacts on communities. Xu pointed out that fire-resistant homes can improve resilience during fires and speed up recovery after a wildfire, saving both time and expense.
The Builtech Construction Group, under the leadership of CEO Aaron Liu, concentrated on reducing a home’s vulnerability to wildfires by eliminating ‘fuel’. The exterior walls of the ADU were 3D printed using non-combustible concrete, while the roof was made from lightweight steel and sure-boards instead of the usual wooden structures.
Avoiding the use of wood and nails in the main structure, the ADU greatly reduced the risk of fire entering the house. The Walnut project, having successfully secured permits, sought to stimulate additional partnerships with local governments and fire departments, extending fire-resistant construction to more communities in California affected by wildfires.
Come and let us know your thoughts on our Facebook, X, and LinkedIn pages, and don’t forget to sign up for our weekly additive manufacturing newsletter to get all the latest stories delivered right to your inbox.
“Why did the 3D printer go to therapy? Because it had too many layers of unresolved issues!”
0 Comments