Printing the Way to Recovery

Recently, the Italian innovator Massimo Moretti launched the world’s largest Delta 3D printer which creates nearly zero-cost homes out of mud.  Print the Future has plans to use this technology to not only prepare for natural disaster recovery, but to wipe out homelessness completely in Utah County.

 

Can you imagine a world without homelessness?  How about a world where natural disaster didn't leave millions of lives in devastation?  This is all on the verge of being a reality in Utah County.

 

More than 42 million individuals worldwide were forced to abandon their homes due to natural disasters in the year 2010.

 

Introduction

Utah County has been, and is likely to continue to be, the center of numerous different types of natural disasters. We sit on the edge of an enormous earthquake fault line, we have the potential to flood, experience landslides, wildfires and, of course, avalanches.  While these natural disasters are nearly impossible to fully prepare for due to their unpredictable nature, they are, however, inevitable.

The Facts

During the year 2010 there were more than 42 million individuals worldwide that were forced to abandon their homes due to natural disasters.  Just a few months ago, the most deadly natural disaster in the state of Utah’s history struck when a flash flood claimed nearly 20 lives in southern Utah.

Clearly the loss of life has numerous effects on the lives of those that knew them. However, there are many other effects that can leave life-long scars for those affected by natural disasters. These include homelessness, the spreading of disease, unemployment, and depression, just to name a few.

There is an already existing homeless problem in Utah County. In a 2012 report, it is shown that there are 16,522 homeless people in Utah, or .6% or the state’s population. Within that homeless population 45% are families. 86% of this population lives along the Wasatch Front.

The Objective

Recently, the Italian innovator Massimo Moretti launched the world’s largest Delta 3D printer which creates nearly zero-cost homes out of mud. These 3D printers can also “print” with other materials such as concrete, but mud is available readily (especially after a land slide) at nearly no cost. It also has a low carbon footprint and works as a natural insulator.

While some may argue that mud will hardly do the trick of providing shelter against the elements of rain and snow, keep in mind that this is to provide temporary shelter. In any case, an architect by the name of Nader Khalili, who has been working with earth as a building material for years, has solved this problem. Using fire to seal the mud would essentially create a “ceramic house” that would shield from the elements and waterproof these temporary homes.  Temporary homes could never replace what has been lost by individuals and families, but they do provide protection from potentially spreading diseases and sickness, which could lead to even more loss. This will allow for the community as a whole to be in better health, physically and mentally, which will also aid in the recovery process. There is nothing more empowering than being able to provide assistance for yourself, and then moving on to assist others. Everyone needs to be needed.

A Call to Action

Print the Future wants to provide the communities in Utah County with large scale 3D printers so that when natural disasters strike, we can begin rebuilding. As expected, these printers will not be free, but this investment will provide peace of mind in addition to the other already mentioned benefits.