Californian 3D printing company RIC Technology has deployed its robotic arm 3D printer to construct California’s first fire-resistant, 3D printed concrete Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Walnut, Los Angeles.
Collaborating with the City of Walnut and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Builtech Construction Group led the project, with K4K Construction Design subcontracted for 3D printing. The noteworthy feature of this 1200 sq ft ADU was its non-combustible and fire-resistant design, a response to the increasing frequency and scale of wildfires in California.
Motivated by a desire to contribute to wildfire protection, local homeowners Philips and Constance partnered with Builtech Construction Group. The project aimed to demonstrate the viability of 3D printed homes as a solution to wildfire risks. RIC Technology’s founder and CEO, Ziyou Xu, expressed the potential for broader applications of fire-resistant 3D printed homes, marking a meaningful step forward.
Wildfires have inflicted substantial damage on California, with increasing suppression costs and long-term community impacts. Xu emphasized that fire-resistant homes enhance resilience during fires and expedite post-wildfire recovery, saving both time and money.
Builtech Construction Group, led by CEO Aaron Liu, focused on reducing a home’s susceptibility to wildfires by eliminating ‘fuel.’ The ADU’s exterior walls were 3D printed using non-combustible concrete, while the roof featured light steel and sure-boards instead of traditional wooden structures.
By excluding wood and nails from the main structure, the ADU minimized the risk of fire entering the home. Successfully securing permits, the Walnut project aimed to catalyze further collaborations with local governments and fire departments, expanding fire-resistant constructions to more wildfire-affected communities in California.
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