Hive3D Builders’ ‘Las Casitas’ are small rental houses at a popular event venue in the historic town of Round Top. The rentals offer tenants the opportunity to experience sleeping in a 3D printed house, while being close to the year-round festival hosting town of Round Top. The homes were printed more cost-effectively and sustainably than would have been possible with conventional construction methods.
The challenge
This was the first project our partner Hive3D Builders carried out. Still having to get used to the printer, the CyBe RC, the task at hand seemed challenging at first. Their plan was to build five rental units, ranging from an area of 45 to 75 square meters (500-800 sqf). These ‘Las Casitas’ would be constructed in Round Top, Texas, at a popular event venue. The buildings were meant to give tenants the opportunity to experience sleeping in a 3D printed house, advocating the adoption of 3D concrete printing. As a technique that is more affordable and sustainable than traditional construction, quick adoption of 3D printing could change the entire construction landscape.
The takeaways
Though Las Casitas being their first project with our printer, Hive3D Builders only took a couple of days per house to print them. The entire project, including finishing, was concluded in 6 months, from dirt to welcoming its first tenants. 3D concrete printing allowed the project to be completed more cost-effectively and sustainably. The houses were completed “at a cost to the client that was significantly less than it would have cost them to build similar structures using traditional methods” (Timothy Lankau, CEO of Hive3D Builders). By using their pozzolanic cement replacement, they were able to construct the houses with a reduction of up to 93% of carbon emissions. Additionally, the buildings are constructed with 10-inch-thick concrete walls, making them more durable and energy-efficient than framed structures.
