3D-Printed Barracks By US Army To Be Unparalleled In The Western Hemisphere

In recent years, we’ve seen 3D-printed buildings gain popularity, including this spherical home that can be set up and moved into in under 24 hours. Now, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Army’s Installation Management Command (IMCOM) are taking the technology a step further, with a mission to create the first 3D-printed barracks that will each be the largest 3D-printed structures in the Western Hemisphere.

Located at Fort Bliss, Texas, each of the barracks, spanning over 5,700 square feet, will be built using Icon’s Vulcan 3D printer, which has been used to construct anything from housing to NASA bases.

According to New Atlas, the design will be overseen by Logan Architecture, the company behind the first-ever 3D-printed homes for sale in the country. 

At its heart, the project aims to demonstrate how 3D-printed barracks can be a more energy-efficient, low-cost, and quicker way to construct buildings as compared to traditional methods. 

“This project supports all three Army priorities: people, readiness, and modernization,” said Lieutenant General Doug Gabram, Commanding General of IMCOM.

“Constructing facilities using this cutting-edge technology saves labor costs, reduces planning time, and increases the speed of construction of future facilities,” he added.

[via New Atlas and Defense Innovation Unit, cover image via Defense Innovation Unit]