A fire-resistant accessory dwelling unit being built using a 3D-printed robotic arm is currently under construction in eastern Los Angeles County.
The structure will be built in Walnut in collaboration with the city and Los Angeles County Fire Department, as well as two construction companies. Builders say it is the first structure of its kind to be built in California.
Initial construction of the ADU began in early February with foundation, plumbing and wastewater work. But on Wednesday, a 3D printing robotic arm from RIC Technology was tasked with laying the concrete for the exterior walls.
The process is expected to take approximately 20 days.
A 3D printing robotic arm lays the walls of a fireproof ADU in Walnut, California. (RIC technology)
A 3D printing robotic arm lays the walls of a fireproof ADU in Walnut, California. (RIC technology)
A 3D printing robotic arm lays the walls of a fireproof ADU in Walnut, California. (RIC technology)
A 3D printing robotic arm lays the walls of a fireproof ADU in Walnut, California. (RIC technology)
The 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom structure will be fully fireproof with concrete walls and a light steel roof. The metal roof sets this project apart from other similar projects, as most 3D printed houses use a wooden roof, said a press release from RIC Technology.
“The ADU is built without a single piece of wood or nail; No “fuel” on the main structure,” said Aaron Liu, CEO of Builtech Construction Group, the project’s general contractor. “In this way, we significantly minimize the likelihood of fire entering the house and thus reduce the susceptibility to fire.”
Liu is certified as a wildfire suppression specialist by the National Fire Protection Association. He says he has been actively researching how to reduce a home’s vulnerability to fire.
“In wildfires, heat and oxygen, two of the three components of the ‘fire triangle,’ spiral out of control,” he said. “That’s why our focus is on eliminating ‘fuel,’ in this case the unique architectural design and construction materials.”
A concept render shows the exterior of a 3D printed ADU. (RIC technology)
A concept illustration shows the interior layout. (RIC technology)
Philips and Constance, the Walnut couple in whose backyard the new building will be built, say they are “eager” to contribute to wildfire protection.
Building permits were withdrawn in February and developers hope that once their new ADU is completed, it will lay the foundation for the unique home building technology to be used elsewhere in California.
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“This project can be the start of something significant – a broader application of 3D printed houses that are less prone to fire,” said Ziyou Xu, CEO of RIC Technology.
Wildfires have destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes in California in recent years, and several major insurance companies have stopped insuring homes in fire-prone areas or left the state entirely.
RIC Technology officials say they look forward to continuing to work with like-minded companies like Liu’s to build more “non-combustible, fire-resistant homes” in these wildfire-prone areas.
