3D printed home specialist Alquist 3D has announced plans to build what it calls the largest 3D printed home building project in the world. The initiative is dubbed Project Virginia and will see the development of 200 homes across the state. Alquist will kick off the project with a demonstration near the site of the first two 3D printed homes in Pulaski, Virginia today, Friday, April 29. 

Project Virginia follows Alquist’s recent Habitat for Humanity project in Williamsburg, Virginia, a 1,200-square-foot, three-bed, two-bathroom home, whose exterior shell was printed in just 22 hours. The company claims that this was the first owner-occupied, 3D printed home in the world and Habitat for Humanity’s first 3D printed home in the country (a similar HfH project in Tempe, Arizona lays claim to the same distinction). The initiative hopes that this structure, along with Project Virginia, can serve as blueprints for delivering affordable housing in rural and underserved regions of America. 

As detailed in a press release, Alquist chose Pulaski due to heightened demand for housing as a result of more than 3,000 new jobs that will be created in the area with the presence of Volvo, Blue Star Manufacturing, and American Glove. In addition, Virginia’s New River Valley was identified as having one of the highest growth rates in the country for tech jobs, which will also drive demand for housing in this area. 

“With migration patterns shifting due to pandemic, climate, and economic concerns, smaller communities like Pulaski have a huge need — and an amazing opportunity — to develop affordable housing for new residents,” said Founder and CEO of Alquist 3D Zachary Mannheimer. 

At today’s event, Mannheimer will demonstrate Alquist’s 3D printing process using the NEXCON printer developed by partner Black Buffalo 3D.