A real estate company in Kelowna donated $ 10,000 to help build a house in Mexico using 3D printing technology.
“Real estate was one of the most resilient sectors of the local economy in 2020 and we want to give something back,” said AJ Hazzi, managing broker / owner of Vantage West Realty, in a press release.
“After a scary few months, the market rebounded and at Vantage West we were able to help more families move into new homes than any other year,” said Hazzi.
The funds were donated to New Story Charity, which has built more than 2,200 homes in four countries and benefits more than 11,000 people.
The 3D printer uses a proprietary cement-based mixture called “Lavacrete” that exceeds the strength of existing building materials. Once the house foundation is poured and hardened, the 3D printer is set up and starts extruding layer by layer, building walls in just 24 hours.
The house in the Mexican village of Nacajuca is the charity’s second project that uses a 3D printer. The house is 500 square feet and is occupied by a family who have lived in a makeshift, unsecured animal shelter and earned less than $ 80 per month.
“This look into the future of housing may offer new ways to address affordability,” says Hazzi.
