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
| Jul 17, 2013
CBRE recognizes nation's best green research projects
A rating system for comparative tenant energy use and a detailed evaluation of Energy Star energy management strategies are among the green research projects to be honored by commercial real estate giant CBRE Group.
| Jul 17, 2013
Retail store openings at five-year high
Analysis by RBC Capital Markets shows that U.S. retailers are planning to open 42,757 stores over the next 12 months, and some 83,700 locations over the next two years, both five-year highs.
| Jul 16, 2013
As the U.S. economy sputters back to life, contractors wait for the green light on projects [2013 Giants 300 Report]
There are enough positive indictors in the economy to justify greenlighting projects, but building owners and developers remain reluctant to pull the trigger.
| Jul 16, 2013
Top Construction Management Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
URS, STV, JE Dunn top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest construction management and project management firms in the United States.
| Jul 16, 2013
Top Contractors [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Turner, Fluor, Skanska top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest contractors in the United States.
| Jul 16, 2013
Robotics: A new way to demolish buildings
A robot prototype uses water jets to break up concrete structures and then sucks up the water and debris for reuse and recycling.
| Jul 15, 2013
Zaha Hadid unveils plan for boutique condo development in New York
Related Companies taps the London-based architect for the 11-story 520 West 28th Street residential development adjacent to the High Line in Chelsea.
| Jul 15, 2013
Driggs named to lead Heery International
Rich Driggs has been named President of Heery International, following Bill Heitz, who retired on July 1st after 34 years with the company. Driggs is only the fourth leader of Heery International since George Heery founded the firm in 1952.
| Jul 12, 2013
12 award-winning healthcare projects [slideshow]
AIA's Academy of Architecture for Health announced the recipients of the 2013 AIA National Healthcare Design Awards.
