“Do you want to see cute and environmentally friendly 3D-printed houses?” Scorch asked her friends, Orak, Verum, and Felix.
“What are you talking about?” Felix scratched his ears in confusion.
“A startup called Azure is using recycled plastic to make 3D-printed, prefabricated (prefab) houses in Los Angeles, United States,” Scorch announced.
“Azure has combined so many technologies in their business plan. Can you explain them to us, Scorch?” Orak said.
“Of course,” said Scorch.
Scorch explained the meaning of different terms and technologies, “A startup is a new company formed to create unique products or services.
Recycling is a way to process plastic, glass, paper, and other materials to reuse them. It turns them into new products.
3D printing uses a printer to create three-dimensional (3D) objects such as cups. 3D printing is very quick.
Prefabricated homes are homes that are built in parts at a factory. These parts are then quickly put together at the place where the house is being built.”
“How is Azure building such homes?” Verum said.
Scorch said, “Azure is using recycled plastic water and drink bottles to 3D-print homes. It 3D prints the floor, roof, and walls of a house inside the factory. So, the homes are 90% complete when they leave the factory!
As I told you, 3D printing and prefab homes have a quick process. Thus, Azure can build homes 70% faster! This method is also cheaper than the traditional home construction method.”
“Are the homes open to the people?” said Felix.
“Yes, orders are already rushing in! In April, Azure unveiled the world’s first 3D-printed building with recycled plastic materials. They were of two types. One was meant to be a small gym or an outdoor office. The larger, known as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), has one bed and one bath,” said Scorch.
“I bet the company wants to build many larger houses,” Orak said.
“They do,” Scorch said, “But they also have a larger goal. They believe everyone should have a home. They want to use the technology to help end homelessness in California, United States.”
“Using technology to help people? That’s a brilliant idea!” Verum said.