Robot-built homes go on sale in Arizona

  • January 24, 2023
  • William Payne

Construction robotics and automation developer Diamond Age has made its first 3D-printed houses available for sale. The company uses automation, robotics and composite materials to cut the cost and time of building construction.

The homes come in three single-story floor plans — offering up to 4 bedrooms and 1,901 square feet –– with concrete composite walls that make the homes more energy efficient, quieter and durable than traditional builds. The properties are part of Century Complete’s Mountain View Estates in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Diamond Age’s Factory-in-the-Field is a Robotics-as-a-Service system that brings automation to the construction site to backfill labour shortages in the home construction industry.

The company’s construction automation system is designed to reduce costs, increase sustainability and quality, and provide a tradition look and feel to homes.

According to Diamond Age, its 3D printing and robotics technology reduces manual labour by as much as 55% and cuts construction cycle times to as little as 30 days, leading to reduced costs for customers. 3D printing and concrete composite walls reduce waste from the high teens to low single digits rather than adding to landfills. The company says its full-stack automated robotic system builds homes efficiently and at consistently higher quality across every property compared to manual construction. The company’s homes have engineered insulated concrete composite walls that have the same look and feel of traditional builds and feature popular finishes like granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances

“Advances in robotics and automation are going to transform the residential construction industry and reduce the nation’s housing shortage,” said Jack Oslan, co-founder and CEO of Diamond Age. “This first community shows how Diamond Age’s technology can build quality homes at industrial scale with a traditional look and feel that consumers expect in a sustainable and cost-efficient way. This approach will introduce new generations to homeownership because these homes are truly built to last.”

“This is a significant breakthrough not just for Century Complete but also for the housing industry and homebuyers looking for cutting-edge construction at an affordable price,” said Genji Nakata, Executive Vice President of National Operations for Century Communities.

“We are thrilled to debut this new technology in Casa Grande, showcasing the traditional aesthetic that our buyers love but with industry-leading concrete printed walls designed for durability, energy-efficiency, and noise reduction,” said Greg Huff, President of Century Complete. “Just as importantly, this sustainable and scalable construction model further expands on our mission to provide affordable new homes that keep the dream of homeownership within reach.”