3D-Printed, biobased home survives brutal Maine winter

In Maine, a prototype house 3D printed out of biobased materials has passed the all-important “Maine winter” test, raising hopes the concept can help ease the state’s housing crunch.

Developed by the University of Maine, the 600-square-foot prototype features 3D-printed floors, walls and roof of wood fibers and bio-resins. The house is fully recyclable and highly insulated with 100% wood insulation and customizable R-values. Construction waste was nearly eliminated due to the precision of the printing process.

Habib Dagher, executive director of UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, said the next step will be 3D printing a second, inhabited prototype.