3D-printed home in Florida 'built like a fortress' to withstand powerful hurricanes
A 3D-printed home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, built by a robotic arm using Sika concrete, is designed to withstand hurricanes and costs less than traditional construction. Homeowner Bettina Kretz and builder Enrique Garcia of Marcos Designs say the method could revolutionize affordability and labor efficiency in housing, though challenges remain in scaling affordability.
A robotic arm printed the walls of a new home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, layer by layer using Sika concrete—a process that could transform how homes are built. The house, owned by Bettina Kretz, is believed to be the first 3D-printed home in the area, designed to withstand South Florida’s severe hurricanes with stricter building codes than most states. The project faced hurdles due to Florida’s limited experience with concrete printing, requiring special engineers and architects for approval. Despite this, the team—including Enrique Garcia of Marcos Designs—claims the structure is built like a fortress, with Sika concrete curing harder than traditional materials. Kretz noted the cost savings compared to traditional block construction, estimating the 3D-printed materials cost half as much. The project was completed by a team of three using a single robot, addressing labor shortages and efficiency concerns. While affordability remains a work in progress, Garcia and project manager Adam Garcia see this as the future of housing. The goal is to make 3D-printed homes accessible to more families, though full cost reductions are still being refined. The innovation could reshape homeownership, particularly in regions with high construction costs and labor shortages. However, scaling the technology beyond this prototype will require further advancements in material and process optimization.
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