Could this be the future? For the past few years, a team from Eindhoven University and the Vesteda housing corporation have been working on Project Milestone: a futuristic development project which will see a total of five fully 3D-printed homes “built” in Eindhoven.

The first house is finally complete, and Elize Lutz and Harrie Dekkers have been handed the digital key to their new home. 

Europe's first 3D-printed home unveiled in Eindhoven

The shape of the 94-square-metre house was inspired by a boulder, and while this single-storey home may look compact, it has a spacious living room and two bedrooms. Instead of your old-fashioned key, the 3D-printed home can be accessed via an app, opening the front door at the press of a button. 

“It’s beautiful,” say Lutz and Dekkers, “It has the feel of a bunker - it feels safe.” The couple may have the keys, but they won’t technically be allowed to move in until August and will only live in the property for six months - developers would like to give as many people as possible the opportunity to experience the potential home of the future. 

Could 3D-printing solve the Netherland's housing crisis?

The printing method makes use of a huge robotic arm and specially formulated cement with a similar texture to whipped cream. 24 separate “concrete” elements were printed, layer by layer, before being transported to the construction site, where the roof and windows were added.

The brains behind Project Milestone hope 3D printing could play a huge role in tackling the housing crisis in the Netherlands. Not only can houses be built a lot faster, but the end product is also more sustainable and can be easily customised to fit the needs of the space and the client.

“With the 3D-printed home, we’re now setting the tone for the future,” says Yasin Torunoglu, alderman for housing and spatial development for the municipality of Eindhoven. “The rapid realisation of affordable homes with control over the shape of your own house.”

Images via Project Milestone.