Kentucky’s First 3D-Printed House Takes Shape

Kentucky’s first 3D-printed house is coming to life this month. On June 27, Somerset Community College (SCC) will host a live printing event, showcasing the construction process and the massive RIC robotic printer used to create the structure.

Concrete 3D printing is a relatively new technique in the construction industry, gaining traction worldwide as companies adopt streamlined methods for faster and more affordable building.

In recent years, Walmart completed two large-scale 3D printing projects in different states. The first took just 45 days to construct an 8,000-square-foot building with a height of 20 feet. The second project, after optimizing machine performance and cutting downtime, resulted in a 5,000-square-foot, 16.5-foot-high building completed in just seven days — less than a quarter of the time required for the first project.

At SCC, a decade of leadership in additive manufacturing has led to the creation of a 3D-printed concrete structure designed with enhanced resilience to natural disasters. What began as a project to address damage from flooding has evolved into a larger initiative, now called Floodbuster 1 in honor of its original mission.

SCC’s research is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Appalachian Regional Commission, awarded to the college to advance concrete 3D printing and develop innovative solutions for resilient housing.

According to the project website, progressappalachia.com/floodbuster1, “Floodbuster 1 applies cutting-edge engineering to create a structure capable of withstanding floods, tornadoes and time. Floodbuster 1 is a response to a growing national crisis: the rising cost, declining durability and vulnerability of the American housing stock.”

Eldon Whitis, additive manufacturing project specialist and instructor at SCC, said the team has been running test prints and preparing for the event, which is open to the public. All are welcome to attend and witness the creation of Kentucky’s first 3D-printed house. Whitis also noted that some state senators are expected to attend.

Eric Woolridge, professor at SCC and director of the KCTCS Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence, launched the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s first statewide 3D printing technician certificate program. More information about the event can be found on Woolridge’s Facebook page and at progressappalachia.com/floodbuster1.

The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will begin with a Q&A session featuring project team members, followed by remarks from keynote speakers.

The 3D-printing demonstration will be held at the KCTCS Additive Manufacturing Center, 580 Valley Oak Drive, Somerset, Ky.