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I was talking to a (housing) developer friend who is also into many of these technologies last year. In short, 3d printing and modularization can reduce cost, b

I was talking to a (housing) developer friend who is also into many of these technologies last year. In short, 3d printing and modularization can reduce cost, but not as much as I would have thought 10 years ago. Framing is only 1/6 of the construction code of the average house, with another 1/6 going to roofing and siding. The other 2/3 of constriction costs are things like design, permitting, dirt work, plumbing, electrical, insulation, finishes, paint, landscaping, etc, most of which aren’t substantially moved by the new techniques.

alanwreath 4y ago
That is interesting, I was predisposed on thinking about the cost of labor. I wonder beyond price what it means for the longevity (or persisting value) of a 3D printed home vs one that - is made of wood - is made by humans (and so possibly deviating from approved spec)
- topkai22 4y ago
  Wood has really good longevity- in the US it’s not hard to find 100+ year old houses all over the place in older settled areas. In Buffalo, NY about half the single family homes for sale are over 100 years old, and they mostly appear wood built. My unscientific observation is that buildings are more often replaced due to changes in land use and taste than structural failure, and the structural failure modes include foundation issues, earthquakes, fire (far more common in the past), water infiltration, or can be the results of complete neglect. Anyways, plenty of regions use concrete (what most 3d printed houses are made of) heavily in residential construction. You can look to them to compare and contrast.
  - rascul 4y ago
    > Anyways, plenty of regions use concrete (what most 3d printed houses are made of) heavily in residential construction. Outside of apartment buildings, concrete isn't used much for residential that I've seen, except for the foundation. Not sure what you mean by "heavily" though.
    - topkai22 4y ago
      I've lots of concrete houses on journeys to tropical climates- in my case, some Carribean islands and to a lesser extent SE Asia. The older ones were typically block built rather than panel built. I could also be confusing concrete/cement as I find it impossible to keep those straight. Rare in North America though.
      - rascul 4y ago
        Ahh, perhaps I should have specified in the US.
seb1204 4y ago
I heard that prefab components required a lot more rigor and accuracy of the foundation so they go together as planned. This in turn does not go well together with builder that prefer to work hourly rates and cut to suit on site. A timber frame alone is not really much prefab? Should we not make whole walls with internal and external cladding (whatever tech selected), cables and pipes or a least conduits?

alanwreath 4y ago

That is interesting, I was predisposed on thinking about the cost of labor. I wonder beyond price what it means for the longevity (or persisting value) of a 3D printed home vs one that - is made of wood - is made by humans (and so possibly deviating from approved spec)

topkai22 4y ago
Wood has really good longevity- in the US it’s not hard to find 100+ year old houses all over the place in older settled areas. In Buffalo, NY about half the single family homes for sale are over 100 years old, and they mostly appear wood built. My unscientific observation is that buildings are more often replaced due to changes in land use and taste than structural failure, and the structural failure modes include foundation issues, earthquakes, fire (far more common in the past), water infiltration, or can be the results of complete neglect. Anyways, plenty of regions use concrete (what most 3d printed houses are made of) heavily in residential construction. You can look to them to compare and contrast.
- rascul 4y ago
  > Anyways, plenty of regions use concrete (what most 3d printed houses are made of) heavily in residential construction. Outside of apartment buildings, concrete isn't used much for residential that I've seen, except for the foundation. Not sure what you mean by "heavily" though.
  - topkai22 4y ago
    I've lots of concrete houses on journeys to tropical climates- in my case, some Carribean islands and to a lesser extent SE Asia. The older ones were typically block built rather than panel built. I could also be confusing concrete/cement as I find it impossible to keep those straight. Rare in North America though.
    - rascul 4y ago
      Ahh, perhaps I should have specified in the US.

seb1204 4y ago

I heard that prefab components required a lot more rigor and accuracy of the foundation so they go together as planned. This in turn does not go well together with builder that prefer to work hourly rates and cut to suit on site. A timber frame alone is not really much prefab? Should we not make whole walls with internal and external cladding (whatever tech selected), cables and pipes or a least conduits?