A Houston-based company is leveraging 3D printing technology to address one of the biggest challenges in the region: affordable housing. Hive ASMBLD, located in northwest Houston, is utilizing automated systems to print and assemble concrete walls for homes, revamping traditional construction methods that have been in use for centuries.
Inside the facility, the construction process harnesses the power of robotics, which pour and shape concrete into precise wall structures ready for transport to various construction sites throughout Houston. Co-founder and co-CEO Tim Lankau emphasizes the need for innovation, stating, “We’ve always been interested in finding better ways to do things, because the old way is not working for a lot of people anymore.”
The company is currently involved in several developments, including initiatives tied to Houston’s affordable home development program, with homes expected to sell in the mid- to high-$200,000 range. Their advanced technology promises to reduce construction time and costs while enhancing the durability of homes.
Lankau explains how their approach helps save time and reduce expenses without sacrificing quality: “Create a more durable, longer-lasting home, save on energy costs.” In fact, their robotic system can even be employed on-site, pouring and forming walls directly on the foundation.
Amidst a labor shortage in the construction industry, co-founder Ethan Wong insists that this technology is not replacing workers, but rather helping to meet the rising demand for housing. “There’s not enough people available to build enough homes for Americans… This is really the next evolution in housing.”
Hive ASMBLD is already experiencing demand from builders eager to use their innovative construction methods. This development signifies a potential shift in how homes are built in Houston and may help alleviate the persistent issues of rising costs and limited housing supply.
As a duplex’s walls are currently being printed at their facility, it is clear that companies like Hive ASMBLD aim to help more Houstonians secure affordable housing in an increasingly challenging market.