Hunter
11/11/24
A plan to construct an affordable 3D-printed affordable housing project in Iowa City has been terminated after a similar project in Muscatine failed to meet city standards.
The Gazette reports Better Together 2030 was partnering early last year with Alquist 3D, Hodge Construction, Axiom Consultants and Neumann Monson Architects to create more affordable housing in Iowa City that would include six three-bedroom town homes sold to residents who earned 60 to 80 percent of the area’s median income. The 3D-printed homes would have walls made of concrete, poured by a robot.
A location had not been finalized, and a contract with Alquist 3D was pending.
At the same time, the Greater Community Foundation of Muscatine was working with Alquist 3D on a 10-home project with a projected completion by the end of 2023. However, last November the Foundation demolished the first partially completed home because they were concerned the construction wouldn’t hold up in Iowa weather and tests on materials used were less than satisfactory.
Iowa City officials visited the Muscatine site and ultimately decided not to move forward with the project.
Alquist 3D refunded their compensation to the Greater Community Foundation of Muscatine. The Gazette reports the company has moved its headquarters from Iowa City to Greely Colorado, where they are working with Walmart on potential 3D-printed commercial structures.