Homebuilder, Research Lab Unveil 3D-Printed Concept Home at Renewable Energy Event

Homebuilding company Clayton and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have collaborated with two other companies on the design and construction of a 3D-printed concept home, showcasing advanced potential applications of 3D printing and energy management technologies.

The project, officially titled Additive Manufacturing and Integrated Energy (A.M.I.E.), came to fruition as a partnership among Clayton, ORNL, carbon fiber manufacturer Tru-Design and architecture firm Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM). SOM designed the concept home, Tru-Design pre-assembled and coated the structure, ORNL printed it and  Clayton assembled all of the pieces.

The 200-square-foot concept home includes compatibility with a 3D-printed car that allows the home and car to transmit electricity between each other wirelessly.

“We now deliver homes in every state and are committed to be the most innovative housing company in America,” says Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton. “3D printing may become a radically innovative way to push the envelope on design and affordability for our customers.”

Although application of these processes to commercial homebuilding are not imminent, Clayton  states that the partnerships forged will allow the company to remain at the technology forefront of the homebuilding industry. For ORNL, the partnership means having access to Clayton’s advanced homebuilding process and to the understanding of how technology and innovation can work together to create something completely new and revolutionary.

“Working with Clayton and architecture firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, we developed a building design that fully demonstrates new innovations to current construction and building practices. The use of additive manufacturing techniques in the A.M.I.E. demonstration project allows us to break with convention, while also reducing the amount of waste typically amassed during a typical construction project,” said ORNL’s Roderick Jackson, who led the A.M.I.E. demonstration project.

On Sept. 23, ORNL, Clayton, Tru-Design and SOM officially unveiled the concept home during an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Industry Day event that focused on the latest in energy-efficient technologies in the construction, auto and manufacturing industries. Media members were able to get a glimpse of the home and see the future of manufactured housing.