Montana is the first U.S. state to give broad regulatory approval for 3D printing in building construction.
State regulators have approved 3D printed walls as an equal replacement for walls made with concrete masonry units or a standard cored concrete block assembly. The action came after a contractor based in Billings, Montana, filed documents, specifications, and testing reports developed by Apis Cor, a Florida-based construction technology company that holds the Guinness World Record for the largest 3D printed building.
The contractor sought permission to use Apis Cor’s 3D printed process and equipment for a housing development project in Billings and for projects in other areas of the state. Apis Cor says that the cost of a finished home printed with one of its printers can be constructed for up to 30% less than traditionally built concrete block or wood-framed homes.
Regulatory approval for 3D printing applies to all types of construction that follows the state building code. It is not limited to single-family dwellings.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Aug 11, 2017
Top 60 construction management firms
Jacobs, Kraus-Anderson, and Hill International are among the nation’s largest construction management and project management firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction’s 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 11, 2017
Top 115 contractor firms
Turner, Whiting-Turner, and AECOM top Building Design+Construction’s ranking of the nation’s largest commercial construction firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 9, 2017
Related Companies unveils plans for One Hudson Yards luxury rental residences
The 33-story tower will be positioned on the High Line with views of the Hudson River and downtown Manhattan.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 9, 2017
Multifamily developers, designers cater to occupants’ need for mobility
Bike storage facilities and “bicycle kitchens” are among the most popular mobility amenities in multifamily developments, according to a new survey by Multifamily Design + Construction magazine.
Giants 400 | Aug 9, 2017
Innovation at 72 design firms
The following is a list of advancements architecture and A/E firms underwent in 2016, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Contractors | Aug 7, 2017
A Wisconsin contractor takes a personal approach to getting employees to achieve their full potential
Miron Construction’s “Dream Project” helps remove obstacles to self actualization.
Contractors | Aug 4, 2017
4 ways to prepare for a negotiation
Practice, practice, practice, and understanding both sides of the deliberation are critical to success in any negotiation.
Laboratories | Aug 3, 2017
Today’s university lab building by the numbers
A three-month study of science facilities conducted by Shepley Bulfinch reveals key findings related to space allocation, size, and cost.
Lighting | Aug 2, 2017
Dynamic white lighting mimics daylighting
By varying an LED luminaire’s color temperature, it is possible to mimic daylighting, to some extent, and the natural circadian rhythms that accompany it, writes DLR Group’s Sean Avery.
Healthcare Facilities | Aug 2, 2017
8 healthcare design lessons from shadowing a nurse
From the surprising number of “hunting and gathering” trips to the need for quiet spaces for phone calls, interior designer Carolyn Fleetwood Blake shares her takeaways from a day shadowing a nurse.
