3D Printed Houses: Is it the answer to age-friendly, affordable housing?

The Future Age

Host Zannat Reza examines the potential future of 3D printed housing as a solution for providing age-friendly, affordable housing options for older adults.

With 65% of older Canadians in the "missing middle" of housing options, meaning that they have few or no housing options that meet their financial, medical, functional, and personal preferences and needs, 3D printed housing offers a customizable and adaptable option to aging in place. This episode explores examples of 3D printed housing projects sprouting up around the globe, including in Kenya and Dubai, and speaks with Ian Arthur, President of nidus3D, a construction company in Kingston, Ontario, about the benefits of 3D printed housing for older adults and how it can be adapted to meet their specific needs.

Learn about the technology behind 3D printed homes, their unique features, and how they can help us live at home for longer.

Chapter Time Stamps:

(0:00:00) The Future Age Introduction

Welcome to the Future Age podcast, where we explore creative solutions for reimagining life as we get older.

(0:01:19) 3D Printed Housing for Living

Learn about the growing interest in 3D printed housing as a solution to the housing crisis, particularly for older adults. We look at the potential for 3D printed homes to be more affordable, adaptable, and age-friendly than traditional housing options.

(0:03:46) 3D Printing Homes

Discover how 3D printing technology can be used to create age-friendly homes with wide hallways, accessible doorways, and structural support for aging in place. We discuss the benefits of this technology, such as climate resilience and possible cost savings in the long run.

(0:05:27) Building 3D Printed Houses

Learn about the process of building a house using 3D printing technology, from the use of concrete and large printers to the potential for customization and rapid construction.

(0:10:09) Why aren't we building more 3D homes?

The technology truly is in its infancy – all of it is brand new and it takes a while to figure out how to use the technology

(0:11:01) Challenges and Opportunities for 3D Printed Housing

Understand the current challenges and opportunities facing the growth of 3D printed housing, such as the need for more printers, the development of building codes, and the importance of reducing red tape to accelerate production.

(0:13:15) Future of Aging: The Final 2 Questions

Ian answers the final 2 future of aging questions we ask all our guests.

• (00:00) - The Future Age Introduction
• (01:19) - 3D Printed Housing for Living
• (03:46) - 3D Printing Homes
• (05:27) - Building 3D Printed Houses
• (10:09) - Why aren't we building more 3D homes?
• (11:01) - Challenges and Opportunities for 3D Printed Housing
• (13:15) - Future of Aging: The Final 2 Questions