3D Printed Housing Exploration Project

How can we use additive manufacturing to make housing in Cleveland more affordable and accessible?

About the Project

In this Capstone project, students will explore the rapidly growing field of 3D printed housing. They will research how additive manufacturing is being used to address housing shortages and sustainability challenges, then prototype their own structures using clay 3D printing technology.

Possible Focus Areas Include:
  • Studying large-scale 3D printed home initiatives around the world
  • Prototyping small-scale home models using clay-based 3D printers
  • Analyzing cost, environmental impact, and scalability of 3D printed homes
  • Investigating how this technology can be used to support housing equity

Real-World Relevance

Affordable housing is a global challenge, and 3D printing offers a cutting-edge solution. Students will examine how technology can transform construction, reduce material waste, and empower communities with faster, more sustainable building practices.

Project Deliverables

Phase 1: Research & Concept Development

Objectives: Students will build foundational knowledge and propose an original design concept for a printed home.

  • Case Studies: Research real-world 3D printed home projects
  • User Needs: Define who the home is for and their needs (e.g., location, size, climate)
  • Sketches & Planning: Create initial floor plan ideas and form concepts

Phase 2: Prototyping & Testing

Objectives: Students will build scaled prototypes using clay or other printable material, and refine based on test results.

  • CAD Modeling: Use 3D modeling software to design structures
  • Clay Printing: Create test prints of walls, joints, or mini-units
  • Iteration: Test and improve designs based on structure, stability, and print feasibility