The American housing market is reaching new levels of unaffordability. As of 2025, the median home price in the United States has risen to $437,864, according to Redfin, not to mention interest rates make loans much more expensive. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that more than 771,480 people experienced homelessness in 2024. With rising material costs and growing demand, it may seem difficult to imagine a future with lower housing prices. However, an innovative technology, 3D printing, could offer a new and realistic solution to the housing crisis.
Though 3D printing might seem like a modern invention, the idea has roots going back nearly a century. In 1939, inventor William E. built the first 3D-printed concrete structure in Indiana. This early machine compressed, smoothed, and layered concrete to form walls, laying the foundation for what would later evolve into modern automated construction techniques. The technology was simple, but the idea of printing buildings sparked curiosity and inspired further innovation.
In the 1980s, Hideo Kodama and his research team at the Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute began experimenting with the concept of printing with materials other than ink. Drawing inspiration from inkjet printers, they developed techniques using photo-hardened plastic polymers. This breakthrough paved the way for what we now know as additive manufacturing which is a process of building objects layer by layer from a digital design. By the 1990s, it was already possible to produce detailed 3D models overnight. Just two decades later, in 2014, Chinese company Winsun used 3D printing technology to construct full-sized houses, marking a new era in construction.
Today, the process of building a 3D-printed house begins with designing a digital blueprint, which is then converted into a printable file. The 3D printer is brought directly to the construction site. Before printing begins, construction teams prepare materials which are usually a mix of concrete and mortar, and analyze the site to adjust the mixture based on environmental conditions. Once ready, the printer starts creating the house by laying down material layer by layer to build the walls. To ensure strength and stability, the concrete is kept moist for about 24 hours, either by spraying it with water or covering it with plastic sheets. Once the structure is solidified, doors, windows, plumbing, and roofing are installed. This process significantly reduces construction time, labor costs, and material waste compared to traditional building methods.
Concrete and mortar are the most common materials but are not the only materials available for use in 3D printing. Researchers at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures & Composite Center found a way to use wood residuals as the primary material in 3D printed homes. One million tons of wood residuals are produced every year in the sawmills of Maine. They create pellets from wood waste and corn resin which is then put into the printer. The printer heats these pellets up and starts to print the house. This material is stronger than concrete but can be broken down to be recycled which makes it extremely environmentally friendly.
The advantages of 3D-printed housing go beyond environmental benefits. These homes are also more affordable, durable, and faster to build – often with a smaller footprint and floorplan than traditional houses as well. Because 3D printers can operate 24/7 and automate the entire construction process, they eliminate much of the manual labor that drives up traditional building costs. One printer can do the work of over 12 construction workers, making it possible to print two homes in a single week.
In 2023, Lennar, the second-largest homebuilder in the U.S., partnered with 3D construction tech company ICON to create the world’s largest 3D-printed housing development in Texas. The project produced 100 homes, 75 percent of which were sold as of March 2025. Encouraged by the success of their first project, Lennar and ICON are now planning to build a second 3D-printed neighborhood – this time with 200 larger and more affordable homes. This approach not only accelerates the pace of development but also makes it possible to build communities at a scale that can actually address the housing shortage in a meaningful way.
3D printing housing offers solutions to many of the problems that are caused by the current housing market. High costs, slow building processes, labor shortages, and environmental harm. As technology continues to evolve, the potential of 3D printed homes will only grow. They could soon become a vital part of affordable housing strategies, not just in the U.S., but around the world. 3D printing offers hope for a future where everyone has access to safe, sustainable, and affordable shelter.
Written by Nagomi Katano, Public Policy Intern
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) is an independent, national research and educational organization working to advance innovation across industry and public policy. The only nationwide public policy think tank dedicated to infrastructure, Aii explores the intersection of economics, law, and public policy in the areas of climate, damage prevention, eminent domain, energy, infrastructure, innovation, technology, and transportation.