By Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY — A state lawmaker wants to use the same technology that is being considered for use on Mars to help tackle Oklahoma’s affordable housing crisis.
State Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, said he’s working on legislation that among other things will expand the state’s housing tax credit to include 3D-printed homes.
Dollens said the homes can be built from as little as $14 per square foot.
“One of the reasons this is more affordable is because it requires less components,” he said.
The homes are constructed by pouring a foundation, printing the floor plan and topping the home off with a traditional roof. Each home can be customized, and proponents said the housing could be a better option for Oklahoma’s severe weather due to using stronger material and foundations compared to mobile homes.
The 3D-printed houses were originally created to be built on Mars since there is no oxygen for builders, and Dollens said he expects these houses will work in a similar way.
Over a dozen other states already allow such homes to be built, according to Alper Real Estate Group, which has studied the emerging technology.
Tyler Ley, an Oklahoma State University structural engineering professor, said that the technology has minimal formwork, saves labor, has faster delivery and less waste, but conventional 3D-printing can cost more than conventional construction. But Ley said that he believes 3D print construction will become standard practice if given time.
